How to Get a Cuba IP Address From Anywhere in 2025

To get a Cuba IP and browse local services and apps securely, you need a VPN with a virtual Cuba server. Due to a US embargo and local data laws, most VPNs don’t host physical servers in Cuba. This makes it difficult to safely access local services, like Apklis, EnZona, and Picta.

Why is it so hard to access Cuban apps or websites from abroad? Roughly 71.3% of Cuba’s population is online¹ (Trading Economics), yet many national platforms are geo-restricted or rely on Cuba’s internal network. Services often fail to load without a Cuban IP, and some apps won’t function without a local SIM. A VPN with a Cuban virtual location is the only practical way to access them consistently and safely.

Even if you travel to Cuba, a VPN is an important security tool to protect your privacy while using local sites. Cuban internet is tightly regulated and almost all public WiFi goes through the government-controlled ETECSA. Only VPNs with military-grade encryption, robust privacy policies, and some form of obfuscation can provide a semblance of online privacy.

How To Get a Cuba IP Address: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re outside Cuba, you can simply download a VPN and connect to a server in Cuba. If you’re traveling there, the best advice is to download and install the VPN before you go. Due to a US embargo and government blocks, official app stores and VPN sites are not available in Cuba. So, you may be unable to get a private Cuban IP address from within the country.

How do you download a VPN in Cuba? There were over 89,000 fresh installs of just one VPN following government internet disruptions in 2022². While some official VPN sites remain accessible in the country, others can only be found via mirror sites or unofficial sources. However, this risks unwittingly installing software that doesn’t work or contains malware.

Below, we’ll show you how to safely download and install a VPN from inside or outside Cuba:

1. Get a VPN

Choose a tried-and-tested VPN with servers in or near Cuba. The easiest and most reliable way is to pay and sign up for the VPN and then download and install the apps on all your devices before you travel there. The best VPNs are compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, at the very least. You should also sign in to the apps at least once and save your credentials somewhere for future use in Cuba.

2. Configure the VPN

Launch the VPN app and log in with your credentials. Enable the kill switch feature to prevent data leaks if your connection drops unexpectedly. Also, turn on the automatic WiFi protection if available — this will activate the VPN whenever you connect to public networks in Cuba.

3. Connect to a Server

Look for the server labeled “Cuba” and connect to it.

4. Browse Cuban Sites Securely

You can now safely access Cuban websites, apps, and services. Check that your new Cuban IP is working by using an IP lookup tool. Keep the VPN connected to protect your data from surveillance and monitoring, especially while using public WiFi in Cuba. Also, ensure the kill switch is on — this will prevent session data from leaking if you disconnect the VPN while using banking services like EnZona.

Internet and VPN Restrictions in Cuba

Cuba has one of the most controlled and surveilled internet environments. State-owned telecom company ETECSA is the only ISP and mobile provider, giving the government total control over internet infrastructure. Public WiFi hotspots — the main way Cubans access the internet — are operated by ETECSA, serving as a tool for monitoring as much as for connectivity. The country has a very low internet freedom score of 20/100³ (Freedom House).

A US embargo also means that many tech companies block their apps and services in Cuba. Normal Google Play and Apple App Stores are inaccessible there, for example. The embargo also prevents commercial VPNs from operating data centers in the country, not to mention Cuba’s invasive data collection laws. This makes it hard to use Cuban sites, like Apklis (Cuba's official app store), Picta, and EnZona, abroad.

According to Decree-Law 370, the government may penalize the spread of misinformation. In practice, this includes criticism of the government on social media. Decree 35 and Resolution 105 expand state control by defining dissent as a “cybersecurity incident,” allowing for content removal, internet shutdowns, and potential imprisonment.

VPN and independent news sites like 14ymedio and CiberCuba have been repeatedly blocked. During major protests, such as the July 11, 2021, demonstrations, the government temporarily implemented near-total internet blackouts and targeted VPN services. While VPNs are not outright illegal, their use is often disrupted through packet filtering and protocol throttling.

Traveling to Cuba? How To Get a Secure Cuban IP Address There

You need careful planning if you want to use a VPN in the country to browse local sites safely using a Cuban IP. It’s often impossible to download or access VPNs once you’re in the country due to government restrictions and US sanctions. It can also be challenging to use VPNs on ETECSA public WiFi hotspots due to issues with reliability and restrictions.

Download Apps Before You Go

• Install your VPN on all devices. Set it up on your phone, laptop, and tablet while still at home.
• Get the app from official stores early. The Google Play Store and Apple App Store are not available in Cuba, so install your VPN before traveling.
• Download offline installers. Save the.exe or.apk files in case you need to reinstall the VPN without internet access later. Manually store your login credentials or activation code in case you need them.

Configure Manual Settings as Backup (Optional)

It’s possible to manually configure a VPN connection on your device. This may sometimes work to get a Cuban IP if you don’t have success with the actual VPN app. You can usually find the credentials you need for this in your VPN account dashboard:

• iOS. Go to Settings > VPN > Add VPN Configuration and select IKEv2. Enter your server address, remote ID, and login credentials.
• Android. Navigate to Connections > More connection settings > VPN to add a profile using IKEv2 or OpenVPN.
• Save your details. Keep login credentials, server addresses, and authentication info available offline.

Using Public WiFi Safely in Cuba

• Connect to WiFi first. Join the ETECSA hotspot network before launching your VPN, or else the captive portal may not appear.
• Use auto-connect features. Set your VPN to launch automatically on unknown or untrusted networks.
• Enable the kill switch. This will prevent your device from sending unprotected data if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly.

What If You’re Already in Cuba?

Some VPNs offer alternative mirror URLs from which you can download their apps if the official website is blocked in a country. However, you shouldn’t rely solely on these, as they might also be inaccessible. It’s highly likely that live chat support will be unavailable in Cuba, but you should be able to contact support via email to get the latest mirror URL.

It’s also possible to download a VPN app by connecting to a VPN server outside Cuba. However, you already need a working VPN set up on at least one device. It may also not be 100% reliable due to interference by Cuban ISPs.

FAQs on Getting a Cuba IP Address

Is it legal to use a VPN to get a Cuba IP?

Using a VPN to get a Cuban IP address is legal in most countries, but VPN use in Cuba sits in a legal gray area. While they aren’t banned, many VPNs don’t operate in the country because of government restrictions.

The Cuban authorities have blocked VPN websites and apps in the past, particularly during protests. However, there are no publicized cases of individuals being charged or prosecuted for using them. Still, if you're in Cuba, use VPNs cautiously and primarily for securing public WiFi or accessing essential online services.

How do I get Cuban apps outside the country?

A VPN is required to safely access the Apklis website and download Cuban apps. Apklis is the largest app store for Cuba, as the Google Play and Apple App Stores are not available there. It hosts Android apps that work in Cuba, but it’s not always available to users in other countries. Connecting to a VPN to get a Cuba IP is the only way to safely access Apklis from anywhere.

How do I make sure that my Cuba IP works?

If you are already connected to the VPN, you can use vpnMentor’s free IP checker to see whether your IP has changed. If you still see your original IP, you should check whether you followed the correct steps to connect to get a Cuba IP.

If you are still having issues, try disconnecting and reconnecting the VPN or use a different server. You may also have to close your browser and delete your cache and cookies. If all else fails, you can always contact the VPN’s customer support team.

References

1. https://tradingeconomics.com/cuba/individuals-using-the-internet-percent-of-population-wb-data.html/
2. https://www.techradar.com/news/vpn-downloads-soar-in-cuba-following-internet-disruptions/
3. https://freedomhouse.org/country/cuba/freedom-net/2024/