Power and water
Power and water interruptions are a normal part of life in Cuba, varying by neighbourhood and season. Electricity can go out for periods, and water supply is not guaranteed to be constant everywhere. This is simply the environment, not a sign that something is wrong with a particular home.\n\nPlan for it. Keep devices charged, keep some water stored, and ask each host how frequently interruptions happen in that area and how they manage them. Choosing accommodation whose host copes well with these realities makes a longer stay far more comfortable.
Internet
Internet in Cuba is limited and inconsistent. Connectivity runs through the state provider ETECSA, via mobile data, some casa Wi-Fi and public hotspots, and periodic outages affect it just as they affect power. Speeds and coverage vary by city and neighbourhood.\n\nFor anyone working or needing to stay reachable, the practical response is redundancy and honesty: use more than one way to get online, download essentials for offline use, and be candid with contacts that your connection may be intermittent. Confirm internet reliability with a host before you commit to a longer stay.
Cash and money
Cuba runs largely on cash. Foreign cards issued by many banks do not work reliably, and ATMs cannot be assumed to be available or functioning when you need them. For a longer stay this means bringing enough currency and exchanging it through official channels, then budgeting across the weeks.\n\nRent, everyday spending and most services are paid in cash. Keep your money secure, track your spending, and plan ahead, because there is no easy card-based safety net if you run short mid-stay.
Bringing it together
None of these practicalities is a reason to avoid a longer stay — they are simply the operating conditions, and countless expats and remote workers live with them successfully. The difference between a stressful stay and a comfortable one is preparation: cash budgeted in advance, connectivity arranged early, devices and water ready for interruptions, and a host who is candid about local conditions.\n\nApproach the practicalities as a system rather than a series of surprises. When power, water, internet and money are each planned for, they fade into the background of daily life, and you are free to enjoy the reasons you came to Cuba in the first place.