Being a Digital Nomad in Cuba: Your Complete Guide to Remote Work & Living
If youโre curious about being a digital nomad in Cuba, itโs important to understand the realities before planning your trip. Internet, infrastructure, and day-to-day life can make working remotely challenging, and we experienced it first-hand.
Cuba offers a unique experience, but itโs far from a typical digital nomad hotspot. Life here comes with hurdles that most remote workers arenโt used to, and we're here to give you all the details so that you can prepare yourself properly.
This guide explores what itโs really like to live and work as a digital nomad in Cuba, giving you a clear picture of the challenges, what to expect, and tips if you do decide to move forward with working while traveling there.
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Being a Digital Nomad in Cuba: A Brief Intro
If you're looking to be a digital nomad in Cuba, then we're here to help! But we also want to be transparent as possible, and share some helpful info before we dive into the details.
Does Being a Digital Nomad in Cuba Work?
Being a digital nomad in Cuba is CHALLENGING. We've worked in pretty remote places, and the only place that can compare in terms of difficulty is Socotra, a super remote island in Yemen.
While Cuba is far from having the worst infrastructure, there are challenges that you'll find due to the embargo, technology, and overall disconnection from the rest of the world.
Is it Possible to Work Remotely from Cuba?
It's not impossible to work remotely from Cuba, but it certainly is not ideal, and there are several challenges you should be ready to face. We spent 2 weeks in Cuba, and we found it extremely difficult to work remotely there.
In this article we're going to break down the difficulties, and help you make everything as smooth as possible if you definitely will be working while traveling there,
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Being a Digital Nomad in Cuba: What to Expect & Plan for
Cuba is one of the most fascinating countries in the world to explore, but when it comes to working remotely, itโs far from being an ideal destination. The islandโs internet infrastructure, government restrictions, and logistical challenges make it a difficult place for digital nomads.ย
That doesnโt mean you canโt work online while visiting, but you should be aware of what youโre getting into before you pack your laptop and let your boss know you'll still be working.
In this guide, weโll cover everything you need to know about being a digital nomad in Cuba, from internet availability to lifestyle factors, plus some frequently asked questions travelers have before deciding to work remotely on the island.
Internet in Cuba: The Biggest Challenge
The single most important factor for digital nomads is internet access, and in Cuba, this is where things get complicated.
- Limited Wi-Fi Access: Internet is available mostly in public parks, hotels, and certain restaurants. Youโll often need to purchase an ETECSA internet card, scratch off the code, and log in through a portal.
- Unreliable Speeds: Even in hotels with Wi-Fi, the connection is slow and inconsistent. Video calls are difficult, and large file uploads or downloads are pretty much impossible.
- Mobile Data: There is mobile internet via Cubacel, but SIM cards are expensive for foreigners, and coverage is still spotty, especially outside major cities.
- Government Restrictions: Some websites may load slowly or be restricted, and VPNs are not always reliable.
If your work requires frequent meetings, streaming, or large amounts of data, Cuba will not be a sustainable base for you.
ย Where to Stay as a Digital Nomad in Cuba
Unlike other countries with bustling co-working hubs, Cuba is not developed for digital nomads, and we honestly don't even know how anyone successfully runs online businesses living there. If you have your heart on being a digital nomad in Cuba though, these are some of your top options:
- Havana: The capital has the best infrastructure for internet and amenities. Many hotels and Airbnbs advertise Wi-Fi access, but expect limited speeds, as some Cubans simply hot spot from their own service, which isn't all that fast.
- Trinidad: This colonial town is beautiful and full of charm, but internet options are scarce. This one is better for staying longer periods of time, and we did find quite a few restaurants that had a relatively decent connection. It's also located close to a lot ofย cool places to visit in Cuba.
- Varadero: Popular for its resorts, some all-inclusive hotels have stronger Wi-Fi, though usually only in lobbies or common spaces.
Overall, no city in Cuba offers a reliable digital nomad community or workspace culture.
Star Cafe is one of the "best" places for Wifi in Havana.
Want to learn more about the different destinations to stay in Cuba as a digital nomad? Click on the city names to see all of our guides for each one.
ย Daily Life and Costs
Being a digital nomad in Cuba isnโt just about internetโitโs also about adapting to the local lifestyle.
- Cost of Living: Cuba can be pretty affordable to live when it comes to accommodation and food. It can be surprisingly expensive for foreigners for long distance transportation and internet though.ย
- Local Currency: Cuba uses both CUP (Cuban Peso) and USD/euros in some places. Itโs important to bring cash, as ATMs and cards often donโt work. (PS: we also have aย full guide about the money situation in Cuba).
- Food & Groceries: Supplies are limited, and eating out can get repetitive. For digital nomads used to diverse cafes with fast Wi-Fi, this will be a big adjustment.
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ย Pros and Cons of Being a Digital Nomad in Cuba
Now that you know a bit about what it's like to work and travel in Cuba, here is a breakdown of some of the pros and cons of choosing to be a digital nomad in Cuba.
Pros of Being a Digital Nomad in Cuba
- Unique cultural experience
- Beautiful landscapes and historic cities
- Really affordable
- Great for disconnecting and focusing on offline projects
ย Cons of Being a Digital Nomad in Cuba
- Unreliable internet and poor digital infrastructure
- Lack of co-working spaces and digital nomad community
- Restricted access to tools and platforms
The reality: Cuba is better for a short visit than as a long-term digital nomad destination.
Cuba is a much better destination to disconnect.
Tips for Being a Digital Nomad in Cuba
While we don't really recommend staying a while as a digital nomad in Cuba, we also want to help you if your mind has already been made up. Here are some tips to make working and traveling a bit less stressful.
Be prepared to disconnect when you're out in nature in Cuba.
FAQ For Being a Digital Nomad in Cuba
Have more questions about being a digital nomad in Cuba? Here are answers to some frequently answered questions on the topic.
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Being a Digital Nomad & Cuba: Final Thoughts & What's Next
Cuba is an incredible place to visit for its history, culture, and natural beauty, but it is not an easy country for digital nomads. The unreliable internet, lack of infrastructure, and high costs make it one of the least practical destinations for remote work.
If youโre looking to disconnect and work on offline projects, it could be a bit more feasible of an option, but if you have meetings to attend or anything that requires higher speed internet, we'd recommend just taking the time off. Cuba is definitely best enjoyed as a travel destination rather than a digital nomad hub.
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What's Next?
Now that you have read all about what it's like to be a digital nomad in Cuba, you'll probably want to learn more about visiting! Here are some of our other travel guides we recommend that will help you getting acquainted with this unique island country:
ย How to Get to Cuba: Everything You Need to Knowย Is Cuba Worth Visiting? Honest Pros & Cons for Visiting
ย Can American Travel to Cuba? A Full Explanation of How You Can Visit if You're from the US
ย How to Get to Havana: Your Complete Guide for Traveling to Cuba's Capital
ย 10 Best Places to Visit in Cuba for an Unforgettable Trip
ย Is There Wifi in Cuba in 2024? The Ultimate Guide for Internet in Cuba
ย Ultimate Havana Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, & Explore
ย What to Eat in Cuba: A Guide to Local Flavors
ย The Top Restaurants in Havana: Complete Food Guide for Cuba's Capital
ย How to Get Around Cuba: A Complete Transportation Guide
ย Scooters in Cuba: Everything You Need to Know Before Renting
ย Cuba Travel Tips: Essential Things to Know Before Visiting the Island
ย Understanding Money in Cuba for Travelers: A Deep Dive Into What You Need to Know
...and more coming each week!
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We hope our digital nomad guide for Cuba has helped answer any questions you may have had about working and traveling there. Still have questions or concerns? Feel free to drop them in the comments below!
Want to learn more about what traveling in Cuba is like? We have so many other Cuba Travel Guides for you, as well as new ones coming each week! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you can stay up to date with our most recent content, and for special discounts on our shop.
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