Best VPN For Cuba (And Why You Need One) By A Digital Nomad 2024
When you are heading to a country like Cuba for a unique, one-of-a-kind stay, you need to know that life online in Cuba is not like life online anywhere else. I want to share with you why you need a VPN in Cuba and what the best VPN is for this type of country.
And right off the bat, I want to tell you that a VPN that works great in Cuba will work great anywhere!
I have been based in Havana for over two years as a digital nomad on a tourist visa, and I would not have survived (online) without my VPN. Due to sanctions, many online services and web pages cannot be accessed from a Cuban server.
So, you need to find a VPN that works for you in Cuba and can get you where you want to go online. I had to try a few before I found the best one, and after trials and failures, here is my expert advice.
Conclusion First: Best VPN For Cuba
📍 EpicNomadLife Tip: Best VPN for Cuba:
After testing a few, both free and paid versions (and spending time on support chats), I have concluded that ExpressVPN is the overall best VPN to use in Cuba.
Best VPN For Cuba
After having been based in Cuba as a solo female traveler for more than two years. Staying on a tourist visa, and working online, I have been needing access to many online services.
Since 2020, I have tried a variety of VPN services to find the best one that will get me to the websites I need.
The one that has worked absolutely best for me in Cuba is ExpressVPN.
I tried both paid and a few free VPN services before I found ExpressVPN.
Still, some pages always identified where I was physically situated despite my connecting to these VPNs, blocking the online accesses I needed.
After continuous chats with support to find out where the issues were, I concluded it would not get me access to what I needed.
When I tried ExpressVPN, it was the first time I could access and log into all the online services and collaboration partners I use on the Internet.
Why You Need A VPN In Cuba
The sanctions against Cuba that have been in place for over 60 years, also referred to as the “blockade” (although it is not really a blockade), also very much affect the online sphere.
When you log onto the internet from a Cuban server, many sites and services will block your access to their pages.
This includes travel services for booking hotels and accommodations, tours, and certain social media like Snapchat and TikTok.
It might also hinder you from logging into your bank account (dependent on your bank), business pages, and online support pages.
If you think you are going to need (or just want) to be connected to such sites and services during your stay in Cuba, you should consider downloading a VPN before you go.
You Need A Cuban Tourist Card To Visit Cuba! I Get Mine Online From Easy Tourist Card!
They send it straight home to your mailbox within days!
Wifi in Cuba is not like wifi anywhere else; it still takes a bit of effort to connect.
Most big resorts have wifi and some casa particulares in Cuba. Still, you often need to get yourself to a wifi park or hotspot and log on with a wifi scratch card from Etecsa, the monopoly phone and internet provider in Cuba.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN works seamlessly with any online gadget. You just install the app on all your devices, and you can enjoy up to five connections simultaneously with one subscription.
Why Do You Need A VPN At All?
Whenever you travel and connect to Wi-Fi that is not your private network or with a dedicated password just for you, you might want to consider using a VPN service to protect your gadgets and their content.
So what does a VPN do?
A VPN creates a secure connection between you and the World Wide Web, and it:
- Hides your internet activity and location
- Allows you to browse the internet without constraints
- It creates an extra layer of anonymity and privacy
A really good VPN has advanced encryption that will secure your data. This means that no website that receives your private data will be able to trace that data.
So if you log into your bank from a public wifi network, for instance, the VPN will encrypt your data so that potential hackers can not get to them.
Also, a really nice bonus is that you can “place yourself” wherever you want in the world with a VPN.
As many online services and shops have different prices for different countries and regions, you might even save money from shopping from a “cheap” location!
How To Get A VPN In Cuba
You need to download a VPN to your device before you arrive in Cuba.
If you did not download a VPN to your phone before you arrived in Cuba, you cannot sign up for paid VPN services while in Cuba due to domestic regulations.
Interestingly, in Cuba, you need a VPN to buy a VPN!
However, as this is Cuba, there are always solutions. One solution if you need to download a VPN while in Cuba is to visit one of the mobile stores you find in the cities.
They will help you install a free VPN service that will get you through your holiday.
Bring your device to the store and leave it to them to install the software that you need to get a VPN up and running.
If it is not a service you want to continue using, you just delete the app after your stay in Cuba is over.
VPNs That Works In Cuba
Any VPN service you install before entering Cuba will probably work in Cuba; it is not completely blocked from operating unless the service provider does not have a server in the vicinity of Cuba (check that before you install and pay for one).
The problem is that some VPNs cannot convince all online services that you are not where you are – in Cuba, and hence will still block you from pages or services you need.
So, if you connect to a server in Canada (which is a country that is not an originator of sanctions), you might still experience some pages and services not accepting your visit or logging in if your VPN is not top-notch.
FAQs Cuba Travel
Why Isn’t My VPN Working In Cuba?
Many VPN providers do not have servers near Cuba, so that might be a reason.
Then there are VPN providers that I tried, with generally good reviews, that, for some reason, were not able to get me into all the services I needed.
Can I Use ExpressVPN In Cuba?
Yes, you can use ExpressVPN in Cuba. In my experience, ExpressVPN works well in Cuba.
Why Can’t I Download Apps In Cuba?
You can download some apps, but not all, to an Android phone in Cuba.
If you have an iPhone, you can not download apps from the App Store without a VPN, as the Apple App Store does not work in Cuba.
Can I Use My Netflix In Cuba?
Yes, you can log on and stream your Netflix in Cuba without a VPN.
Your issue will probably be to be online with a good enough internet connection whenever you want to watch your favorite Netflix show!
Can Tourists Use Internet in Cuba?
Yes, tourists can use the internet in Cuba.
You can go online after buying scratch cards from Etecsa in Cuba and logging into the Cuban wifi with your device.
Why are US citizens not allowed to travel to Cuba?
This is NOT correct. US citizens ARE ALLOWED to travel to Cuba.
Americans can choose a reason for Cuba travel among 12 pre-approved reasons for traveling to Cuba, determined by the US Government.
Can US citizens travel to Cuba as a tourist?
Technically, US citizens are NOT allowed to travel to Cuba as a tourist. Americans choose between 12 pre-approved reasons for Cuba travel, among which the most common one is “to help the Cuban people”.
American citizens still need to buy a tourist card, also called a tourist visa, to enter Cuba.
What are the 12 requirements to travel to Cuba?
You can read about the 12 pre-approved reasons to travel to Cuba for US citizens here.
The easiest and most common reason for Cuba travel is “to help the Cuban people”. There is no paperwork or application process connected to this; you just choose your reason and state that reason if anyone asks.
What happens if a US citizen travels to Cuba?
Nothing happens if a US citizen travels to Cuba, apart from hopefully, the US citizen will have a fabulous holiday and encounter with Cuban culture.
US citizens need to choose one of the pre-approved reasons to travel to Cuba and need to buy the PINK Cuban tourist card, also called a tourist visa.
Selected airlines sell this visa/tourist card, or you can buy one online.
What documents do I need to travel to Cuba?
You need the following documents to travel to Cuba:
- Passport valid for 6 months after the date of entry
- Cuban tourist card / tourist visa
- Proof of travel insurance, including health insurance
- Fill out the d’viajero.cu digital document before your journey
Do Americans need to be vaccinated to enter Cuba?
No, there is no requirement for specific vaccines prior to entering Cuba.
Your country’s health department probably has recommendations for what vaccines you should consider before entering Cuba.
How Do I get a tourist card for Cuba?
You can buy a tourist card online from Easy Tourist Card, or from the Cuban embassy in your country.
You might also be able to buy a Cuban tourist card from your airline or at the airport prior to departure. A tourist card can be bought at Miami International Airport’s check-in counter for American Airlines and Delta Airlines.
How Do I Get A Tourist Visa For Cuba?
You can buy a tourist visa is the same as a tourist card for Cuba. You can buy it from the following places:
- Buy one online from Easy Tourist Card
- Buy one from your airline if they offer this
- Buy one at the airport of departure if they offer this
- Buy one from the Cuban Embassy in your country
Is Travel To Cuba Allowed Right Now?
Yes, Cuba travel is allowed right now.
In addition, American citizens must choose one of the 12 pre-approved reasons for traveling to Cuba (Americans can not travel as “tourists”) and follow some simple guidelines for traveling in Cuba.
Wrap-Up VPN In Cuba
As you can see, installing a VPN is a smart move for anyone who regularly needs to use public Wi-Fi in airports, hotels, restaurants, and other hotspots while on the move.
In Cuba, in particular, a VPN is also necessary to access online services you can easily access anywhere else, as many international websites will block a user identified as surfing from a Cuban server.
Lastly, wherever you are, you can choose to be somewhere else and save money on bookings or shopping.
In conclusion, there are many good reasons to need a VPN in general and a VPN in particular when visiting Cuba.
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