Welcome to my complete guide on calling Cuba from the United States. In this comprehensive blog post of over 2000 words, I will cover everything you need to know about making cheap calls to Cuba.
My name is [your name] and I write for Callmama, a leading provider of international calling services. With tensions thawing between the US and Cuba in recent years, more and more Americans are looking to call Cuba to connect with friends or family in that country. However, calling Cuba can be complicated due to telecommunications restrictions in place.
This blog will walk you through:
- A brief history of US-Cuba relations and how it impacts calling
- The different options to call Cuba from the US
- Costs and rates associated with calling Cuba
- Tips to get the best deal on Cuba calling cards and plans
- The rules and regulations around calling Cuba
- How to dial Cuba directly from a cell phone or landline
- Calling Cuban cell phones and Cuban landlines
- Common problems and issues when calling Cuba
So whether you need to call a relative in Havana or a business partner in Santiago de Cuba, this guide will help you save money and call Cuba successfully.
Brief History of US-Cuba Relations
To understand the nuances of calling cuba, it helps to first understand the history between the island nation and the United States. After the communist revolution in 1959, Cuba became aligned with the Soviet Union. This led to over 50 years of tensions between the US and Cuban governments.
As part of sanctions on Cuba, the US government placed heavy restrictions on communications between the two countries. Direct calls were not allowed. All calls had to be routed through third countries like Canada, adding costly connection fees.
In 2015, the US resumed diplomatic ties with Cuba under the Obama administration. Restrictions were loosened, allowing US phone companies to start interconnecting with Cuba. However, some regulations remain in place.
While it's now easier for Americans to call Cuba, costs are still higher compared to other international calls. Knowing the history helps explain why calling Cuba comes with its own unique challenges.
Options for Calling Cuba from the United States
Today, there are three main ways Americans can make calls to Cuba:
1. Use an International Calling Card
International calling cards allow you to call Cuba by dialing an access number, entering your PIN code, and then the Cuba number. Calling cards can offer lower per-minute rates than your home phone provider's best calling card to Cuba.
Rates can be as low as $0.15 per minute from a landline. Calling cards are easy to use from any phone. Just purchase a prepaid calling card, receive your access number, and then follow the dialing instructions.
cheap calls to Cuba are available from providers like Callmama that cater towards calls to Cuba. They offer competitive rates and quality connections.
2. Call Direct Through a Home Phone Provider
Your home phone provider like AT&T, Verizon, etc. can directly connect calls to Cuba. However, high per-minute rates apply, usually around $2-3 per minute. Direct calls are the most convenient but expensive option.
3. Use a VoIP Service
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services let you make cheap calls over the web. Skype, Google Voice, and WhatsApp calls are examples. Calling Cuba through VoIP averages around $0.50 per minute. Sound quality can be inconsistent.
Costs and Rates for Calling Cuba
Calling Cuba costs more than calls to other countries due to fewer direct routing options. Here are the average per-minute rates cuba cell phone number from the US :
Cuba Calling Cards: $0.15 – $0.50 per minute
Home Phone Direct: $2 – $3 per minute
VoIP Services: $0.50 – $1 per minute
Cell Phone Direct: $2 – $3.50 per minute
As you can see, Cuba calling cards offer the lowest rates. Cell phone and home phone direct rates are extremely high at $2-3 per minute.
For regular calls to Cuba, a prepaid calling card is the most cost-effective option. VOIP services can also save money compared to direct dialing.
Tips for Getting the Best Cuba Calling Rates
Here are some tips to get the lowest rates when calling Cuba:
- Use calling cards for regular calls – As mentioned, prepaid calling cards offer the cheapest per-minute rates in Cuba. They can save you a ton over pricier options.
- Call with VoIP services for occasional calls – For occasional calls, VoIP services like Skype allow you to avoid high connection fees. Just pay per minute.
- Avoid peak hours – Calling during peak times can increase rates. Call early mornings, late nights, and weekends for cheaper rates.
- Look for free minutes – Some calling cards offer bonus minutes or unlimited free calls to help you save. Taking advantage of free minutes helps lower overall costs.
- Buy in bulk – Buying larger amounts of talk time upfront can lower per-minute rates. For regular callers, bulk deals save money long term.
By using these smart tips, you can significantly reduce the cost of dialing Cuba whether calling loved ones or business partners.
Rules and Regulations on Cuba Calling
While Cuba's calling restrictions have been relaxed in recent years, some regulations do remain in place:
- Calls can only happen between the US and Cuba – calls cannot transit third countries anymore. This lowers costs.
- Americans are only allowed to call Cuban landlines and mobile phones – not Cuban government institutions or officials.
- Calls must be person to person between residents – commercial broadcasting is prohibited. Business calls are allowed.
- Payments and credits related to the calls must be settled between US and Cuba licensed operators – payments cannot go to the Cuban government.
Fines can apply if regulations are violated. All major telephone companies comply with the rules, allowing legal calling to friends, family, and business contacts in Cuba.
How to Dial Cuba Directly
For those times when you need to dial Cuba directly, here are the steps:
From a landline phone:
- Dial 011 – the US exit code to access an international line
- Dial 53 – Cuba's country code
- Dial the area code – without the 0 (for example Havana is 7)
- Dial the local Cuba number
So the full format is:
011 – 53 – [Cuba Area Code] – [Cuba Number]
For example to call a number in Havana:
011 – 53 – 7 – [Havana Number]
From a mobile phone:
Calling Cuba from a US mobile works the same way. Simply dial:
011 – 53 – [Cuba Area Code] – [Cuba Number]
Some mobile carriers may have different international dialing formats. Check with your provider if 011 doesn't work.
But for most major wireless carriers, simply dial 011 then punch in the Cuba number as outlined above.
Calling Cuban Landlines vs. Cuban Mobile Phones
When making calls to Cuba, you can dial either landline or mobile phone. Here's a breakdown:
Cuban Landlines
- Begin with 7, followed by 6 or 8 digits
- More reliable connection as they use physical infrastructure
- Can only call landlines from a landline in the US – not mobile
- Lower per-minute rates than calling Cuban mobile phones
Cuban Mobile Phones
- Begin with 5, followed by 7 digits
- Use Cuba's mobile network, wider coverage
- Can call from US landlines and mobile phones
- Slightly higher per-minute rates than calling landlines
Both landline and mobile networks in Cuba can be called from the United States. If calling a Cuban mobile from your cell phone, dial 011 – 53 – 5 – [Cuba Mobile Number].
If calling a Cuban landline from a US landline, dial 011 – 53 – 7 – [Cuba Landline Number]. Easy!
Common Issues When Calling Cuba
While US-to-Cuba calling has improved, there can still be some technical issues:
- Dropped calls – Occasional dropped calls can still occur due to network connectivity issues. Using a quality calling card provider minimizes this.
- Echo on the line – Echo may happen from time to time, often due to compatibility issues between US and Cuban telecom systems.
- Delay in dial tone – There can be a delay of a few seconds before the dial tone begins when placing a call to Cuba. Be patient.
- Inputting access codes – When using a calling card, misdialing the access number or PIN can lead to errors. Double-check the numbers.
- Cell phone distortions – If calling a Cuban mobile phone, there may be voice distortions or background noise if they are traveling through poor coverage areas.
While annoyances, these issues are not extremely common. Using reliable services and double-checking your dialing can help avoid any calling disruptions.
Wrap Up
I hope this guide gives you a complete overview of everything involved with calling Cuba from the United States. While Cuba calling requires some special knowledge, it's quite easy once you understand the costs, regulations, dialing procedures, and troubleshooting tips.
If you need affordable, high-quality calling to Cuba, be sure to check out Callmama's Cuba calling cards. With rates as low as $0.14 per minute, exceptional call quality, and great customer service, they are my top pick for calling Cuba.
As US-Cuba relations continue to normalize, calling Cuba will only become easier and cheaper. But for now, just follow this guide for helpful advice on successfully connecting your calls to Cuba. ¡Buena suerte!
