Want to call Cuba from the United States? With recent regulatory changes, it's now easier than ever for Americans to connect with friends and family in Cuba. In this guide from Callmama, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about how to call to cuba from usa.
Can I Legally Call Cuba from the US?
Yes! Since 2016, regulations around calling Cuba have been relaxed, making it legal for US residents to call landline and mobile numbers in Cuba. This opens up communication between the two countries after decades of restrictions.
It used to be that Americans could only make calls to Cuba for specialized circumstances, like journalism or humanitarian projects. But today, direct communication is allowed for everyday purposes like checking in on loved ones or chatting with friends.
So go ahead and give your relatives a ring in Havana or Holguín! As long as you're calling a legitimate calling cuba from united states, it's perfectly legal under US law.
When are the Best Times to Call Cuba?
One key factor to consider when calling cuba from usa is the time difference. Cuba is in the Eastern Time Zone, just like New York, Miami, and Atlanta. So if you're calling from elsewhere in the US, be mindful of the time change.
Here are some tips for the best times to call Cuba based on time zones:
- If you're calling from the West Coast (Pacific Time Zone), aim to call in the morning before noon local time. This translates to late morning in Cuba.
- If you're in the Central Time Zone, early to late afternoon is ideal. That means between 1-5 pm your local time.
- On the East Coast (Eastern Time Zone), call in the evening after 6 p.m. For Cuba, this is still reasonable daytime hours.
- Avoid calling overnight unless you know the person sleeps late or works night shifts. Most Cubans are sleeping between 10 pm – 7 am local time.
Calling during peak awake hours increases your chances of actually connecting with someone. Outside these windows, you may end up leaving a lot of unanswered calls!
How to Dial Cuba from the United States
Dialing Cuba directly from the US isn't too complicated. You just need to know the proper country code, city codes, and full Cuban phone numbers.
Here are the step-by-step dialing instructions:
- Dial 011 – This is the US exit code for making international calls.
- Dial 53 – This is Cuba's country code.
- Dial City Code – Cuban city codes are 1 digit. For Havana, this is 7. For Santiago de Cuba, it's 22.
- Dial Cuban Phone Number – This can be 6 to 8 digits long. Include the full number.
- Press Call – You'll then be connected to the Cuban number.
So for example, to call a mobile number in Havana like 555-1234, you would dial:
011-53-7-555-1234
Then wait for the call to go through!
Cost: How Much Does it Cost to Call Cuba?
The cost of how to call cuba from usa varies based on your cell phone plan, landline provider, and method. Here are some average per-minute rates:
- Landline to Cuba: 15 to 25 cents per minute
- Cell phone to Cuba: 50 cents to $1+ per minute
- VoIP call: 4 to 8 cents per minute
As you can see, internet-based VoIP calls are by far the cheapest option. We'll go over some popular VoIP services in the next section. But generally, calling Cuba on your cell phone or landline will cost significantly more.
Price also depends on the carrier. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint all charge different per-minute fees for calls to Cuba. Comparing rates can help find the most budget-friendly option.
No matter how you connect, calling Cuba is quite affordable these days. With VoIP services especially, you can call Cuba for mere pennies per minute!
Calling Cards & VoIP Services for Calling Cuba
For cheaper calls to Cuba, two good options are prepaid calling cards or VoIP calling services. Let's go over the pros and cons:
Cuba Calling Cards
Calling cards for Cuba allow you to dial a US access number, enter a PIN, and then dial the Cuban number. Rates are often as low as 5 to 10 cents per minute.
Pros:
- Inexpensive per-minute rates
- No monthly fees or commitments
- Wide selection of carriers and cards
Cons:
- Can only be used on landline phones
- Connection quality varies
- Upfront costs to purchase calling card minutes
Overall, prepaid calling cards offer affordable calls to Cuba from any US landline. Just research the card's rates and fees first to get the best deal.
VoIP Calling Services
VoIP stands for “voice over internet protocol.” VoIP services let you make calls over the internet rather than traditional phone lines. For international calls, VoIP can lead to huge savings.
Popular Cuba VoIP providers include:
- Callmama
- MagicJack
- Google Voice
- Skype
Rates start around 1 to 5 cents per minute to Cuba. You can call using desktop apps, mobile apps, or dedicated VoIP phones.
Pros:
- Extremely cheap per-minute rates
- Call from any internet-connected device
- No contracts or commitments
Cons:
- Need high-speed internet access
- Call quality can be inconsistent
- Setup and app downloads required
VoIP gives you the flexibility to call Cuba for pennies on your smartphone, computer, or tablet. Just have a stable internet connection for the best call clarity.
Can I Text Cuba from the US?
Texting Cuba from the US is hit or miss. Some major US carriers do allow SMS texts to Cuba. But it's not always guaranteed to work.
Here's a quick breakdown for texting Cuba by carrier:
- AT&T – Supports SMS and MMS texts to Cuba
- Verizon – SMS only, no MMS for media messages
- T-Mobile – SMS and MMS supported
- Sprint – No SMS or MMS texts to Cuba
As you can see, it's a mixed bag. AT&T and T-Mobile seem the most texting-friendly. But even then, texts may not get through due to infrastructure issues on the Cuban side.
For reliably messaging Cuba without texting, consider using apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Signal, or Telegram. These send messages over the internet rather than through cellular networks.
Can I Call Cuba from the US on My Cell Phone?
Yes, you're absolutely able to call Cuba directly from your US cell phone. Most major providers now support calls to Cuba.
Here are some specifics to know:
- AT&T – Offers calling to Cuba. Rates are around $1.29 to $1.49/min.
- Verizon – Direct calling to Cuba is available. Per-minute rates not published.
- T-Mobile – Cuba calling is included with Magenta plans. $0.25/min on prepaid.
- Sprint – Supports calls to Cuba for $2.05 per minute.
So all the top US mobile networks can connect your call to Cuban numbers. As mentioned before, the per-minute charges will be more expensive than VoIP alternatives. But for sheer convenience, calling straight from your smartphone works great.
Pro tip: Use Wi-Fi calling or VoIP apps whenever possible to reduce cell charges to Cuba. Apps like WhatsApp have very low international rates.
Calling Cuban Cell Phones and Landlines
When placing calls to Cuba, you'll need to know whether you're dialing a Cuban mobile or landline number.
Cuban mobile numbers start with 05 and are 8 digits long. For example: 05 123-4567. These are much more widely available than landlines.
Cuban landlines vary in length from 6 to 8 digits. Landlines are operated by state-owned Etecsa and begin with 2 to 5. Many landlines are shared or public phones.
Both cell and landlines can be called from the US. But mobile numbers are more common for finding specific people. Fixed landlines may be shared or primarily for businesses.
Double check if you're given a Cuban number that you have the right one for calling mobile vs. landline. Then dial as explained above.
Tips for Improving Call Quality in Cuba
With the right tools and techniques, your calls to Cuba can be crystal clear:
- Use VoIP services like Skype or Callmama for cheap, reliable connectivity
- Make test calls to determine the best time for minimum lag or distortion
- Try wiring in your internet connection rather than using Wi-Fi for fewer drop-offs
- Contact your phone provider to check if they offer optimized Cuba calling
- Make sure your friend or relative has a strong internet or cellular signal on their end
- Have both parties turn off apps, videos, or downloads during the call
- If all else fails, switch to a phone call instead of video calling
Optimized networks like Callmama already factor in call quality engineering. But testing call times and internet settings can further enhance your important conversations.
With some minor preparation, you'll enjoy next-level call clarity with your Cuban contacts. Distance is no barrier when you use the right modern tools.
Is There a Cuba Calling Code?
Yes, Cuba's country code that you dial to call Cuba internationally is +53 or 011 53. This places calls to any Cuban number from any other country worldwide.
After dialing the Cuba exit code like 011 from the US, you would then dial 53 before the Cuban city code and phone number.
Some examples of the Cuba calling code in use:
Calling Cuba from the US: 011 53 7 555-1234
Calling Cuba from Mexico: 00 53 5 888-8888
Calling Cuba from Spain: 00 53 22 123-4567
No matter where in the world you're calling from, dialing Cuba's country code of +53 or 0053 routes your call to the Cuban phone network.
Call Cuba with Confidence!
We've covered everything you need to successfully call Cuba from the United States. To recap the key points:
- It's completely legal for US residents to call Cuban numbers
- The best times to call are during peak daytime hours in Cuba
- Dial 011-53 plus the Cuban city code and full number
- VoIP services provide the most affordable connection
- Test call times and internet stability for best quality
- Cuba's international calling code is +53 or 0053
With these tips for reaching Cuba, you can finally catch up with long-distance friends and family. Modern internet calling makes staying connected easy and inexpensive.
Next time you're wondering how to call Cuba from USA, remember to use our direct dialing instructions. And for super cheap rates, be sure to try Callmama's VoIP service for calling Cuba and other global destinations.
Stay tuned to the Callmama blog for more guides to international calling. Until next time, ¡Hablamos pronto!
