Internet in Cuba: 5 apps to download before you go
Forget the myth that Cuba has no internet and join us in the year 2024.
Cuba does have access to internet but you just have to know how to navigate it. As always with Cuba, it’s not straight forward & it’s wildly different to the rest of the world.
Whilst you can access the basic websites & social medias, know that the connections aren’t always speedy and reliable like back home. For checking in with friends and uploading a pic on Insta you’ll be fine, but don’t schedule any Zoom calls or expect to catch up with your favourite TV show whilst you’re on the island.
For those already prepared with a local SIM card and raring to go, you’ll want to download some essential apps before you travel. Due to censorship – especially if you have an iPhone or anything Apple – it often isn’t possible to download new apps once you’re physically on the island. So read on, come prepared, and thank me later.
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1. EXPRESS VPN
When travelling in Cuba, using ExpressVPN is essential for many reasons.
It basically allows you to bypass restrictions on social media and websites blocked by the Cuban government.
Social media platforms like TikTok & SnapChat won’t work unless you have a VPN. Banking apps won’t work unless you have a VPN. If you need to move money, pay a bill etc., you will need a VPN. Sites like Spotify, any Apple programme, the Apple Store, Netflix etc., also won’t work if you don’t have a VPN.
More specifically for your trip, if you use AirBnB you won’t be able to make new bookings or payments once in Cuba, so a VPN is essential.
Here’s the link to the one that I use. Since 2017 it has served me well and is the best one I’ve found.
2. LA NAVE
La Nave is a game changer in Havana. It’s essentially a Cuban style Uber. You will need a local SIM card to have access to the internet, and to have downloaded the app before you arrive to Cuba. You insert your pick up & drop off location (it has access to GPS but isn’t always super accurate), and it locates a nearby driver.
You pay in cash (in CUP) rather than online banking, so ensure you exchange some of your USD/EUR to CUP.
If you’re a solo traveller you have the option of choosing a motorbike which is a great and cheap way to get from A to B and see the sites along the way!
TOP TIP: the drivers often call you to confirm your pick-up location, so if you don’t speak Spanish, make sure you have someone nearby to help you e.g. the host of your accommodation or the concierge at the restaurant.
3. MAPS.ME
Maps.me is essential in Cuba, and again, download it before you arrive to the island.
It has an offline functionality which allows you to download specific maps ahead of time, which is especially useful given the island’s limited and often expensive internet access.
Havana can be a minefield, Viñales has limited street names, and Trinidad is a cobbled maze, so this is really, really handy to navigate home after dinner and a couple of mojitos!
4. WHATSAPP
I live in England and use WhatsApp on the daily, as my main communication source. But I’ve recently learned that not everyone relies on it like we do. So, if you don’t already have it, download it now & get used to it. It’s KING in Cuba.
You’ll be able to communicate with your drivers, accommodation hosts, friends & family back home.
TOP TIP: you’ll need internet to use this, so if you want to use it while you’re out & about, you’ll need to have a local Cuban SIM card (physical).
5. GOOGLE TRANSLATE
If you don’t speak Spanish, this will be your best friend. You’ll often come across locals who don’t speak English and you’ll need to communicate with them in their language. So if you haven’t got time to take some Spanish classes before you go, download the Google Translate app!
The drivers in Cuba use it a lot. You can type in what you want to say in your language, and then the app even speaks it out loud in Spanish, so you can have a decent conversation with the help of technology!
WHAT NOT TO DOWNLOAD:
Currency converter! It will 100% be wrong, I absolutely guarantee you that. Don’t even Google the currency exchange rate, it will 1000% be wrong. Money is very complex in Cuba and you are at a big risk of losing a lot of money if you don’t know what you’re doing.
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