If you’re as obsessed with the internet as much as I am, don’t go to Cuba. Sure, it might be a totally life-changing experience that you’ll look back on fondly for years to come, but without posting a photo of everything you eat, see and do, you might as well not go? By the way, I’m completely joking. You WILL survive without the internet (or limited access), you just need to know a thing or two about surviving.
Before you start to reconsider your travels to Cuba due to a lack of internet, I am here to tell you that, yes, it is possible to be a self-proclaimed-internet-obsessed-narcissistic-millennial and still enjoy Cuba for all of it’s totally unfiltered, raw Instagrammable beauty.
Read on to find out how I survived a tour to Cuba without feeling completely disconnected.
How to access the internet in Cuba
If you’ve invested your time and energy into researching a tour to Cuba then naturally, you would have stumbled across the issue of limited internet access. Just to put your mind at ease, I can confirm it is, in fact, possible to connect to cyberspace.
Just imagine logging on to the internet in Cuba as a game of Connect Four; you’ve got to get all of your pieces in a row before you can unlock the glory that is the world wide web. First, you’ll need a map of the city you’re staying in, $2 CUC ($2 USD) and an infinite amount of willpower and determination. Trust me, you’ll need it.
Next, you’re going to need to find a place where you can purchase an internet card. Hotels and convenience stores will be the best place to make your purchase one, but keep in mind that some internet cards bought from hotels will only work in the hotel where it was purchased and nowhere else.
Once you’ve got your card, head over to the nearest internet square (there’s generally one to two in each city), and you’ll know you’re in the right place when you see everyone staring longingly into their various screens, faces lit by the glow of data. These internet hotspots have been around since mid-2015 or so, and they are well and truly easy to find and these Wi-Fi hotspots are centrally located and government-approved. Along with these popular public spots, there are a few ‘cyber cafes’ and these work in the same way as internet cafes around the world.
Next, you’re going to grab your ETSECA card (the state-owned telecommunications company that will happily connect you to the internet) and select the ETSECA network on your mobile, tablet or laptop and scratch off the back of the card to reveal your username and password then you simply log-in and enjoy your 1-hour of internet access.
What happens when you connect to the internet in Cuba?
Once you’ve successfully connected, a timer will pop up and count down your hour of glory until it ends. But don’t fret, because you don’t have to use your entire hour at once, you can log out and save the rest of your precious time for another day.
As for the quality itself, the connection WILL be slow; so don’t expect to stream or download the latest episode of whatever Netflix series you’re watching. At best, you can expect to be able to upload a few photos to the ‘Gram or send your family a nice update to say that you are alive and well.
At first, your card might not work and you may be forced to enter your code multiple times, so be prepared to get a tiny bit frustrated. But think about the joy of logging on to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all of the other awesome reasons to get online.
How to disconnect and take a break from the internet in Cuba
If you’re like me, the thought of being disconnected from the rest of the world is scary but also incredibly liberating. Just think about all of the free time you’ll have to explore Cuba and really connect with the environment and locals in a way that you can’t anywhere else.
At the end of the day, if you want to find a way to relax and unwind after a long day of touring around Cuba, here are some alternative ways you can relax without mindlessly scrolling through Instagram
- Read a book
- Go for a walk, because no matter where you are in Cuba, you’re bound to be surrounded by breathtaking nature and stunning architecture, so take it all in on a leisurely walk by your lonesome
- Grab your camera and take your own photography tour of Cuba, and last but not least…
- Watch the sunset over the country.
Have you been to Cuba? Share your travel tips in the comments below for our community of travellers to enjoy and read!
