ETECSA is the sole operator; 3G and 4G exist in Havana, Santiago and tourist towns, while Viñales valleys and remote keys can thin out. Public Wi-Fi parks remain common but require scratch cards. NXTL uses those domestic networks — commonly Cubacel when listed live here — rather than building separate towers.
Tourist SIM cards are sold at airports and ETECSA offices with passport registration; top-ups use prepaid cards or office visits. A local number is useful for casa hosts who confirm by call. Short stays in Cuba rarely need a local number. NXTL’s data-only eSIM skips the registration queue: you arrive ready, use maps and messaging immediately, and never buy a timed tourist pack that dies when you leave.
How NXTL works for Cuba: buy credit, install the eSIM on Wi-Fi before you fly, then enable data when you land (for example via José Martí International (HAV)). Your phone uses local networks such as Cubacel. You are charged only for data used — there is no daily allowance to waste and no pack that expires after a week in Havana.
That global wallet is the product pitch: Cuba today, another destination tomorrow, same eSIM. Live per-country rates, no plastic to swap, and nothing wasted when your Havana plans change.
Many travellers mix mobile data with timed Wi-Fi sessions because some apps still behave better on a full Wi-Fi login than on mobile. A pay-as-you-go NXTL eSIM fits Cuba travel like this — install once, use what you need, keep the rest for later.
Before you fly to Cuba, confirm your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked. Then install NXTL on Wi-Fi at home so you are not depending on airport Wi-Fi to get online in Havana.
