ETECSA's limit: 360 CUP every 30 days
Since 30 May 2025, ETECSA has capped domestic top-ups of main balance at 360 CUP in any 30-day period. The cap applies to the top-up the account holder makes inside Cuba. It does not block spending balance they already have.
360 CUP is exactly the price of the largest plan sold from that balance: 6 GB, 60 minutes, 70 SMS and 300 MB for national websites. One month of domestic top-up pays for one 6 GB plan. Nothing is left for a second plan.
Why a top-up made in Cuba cannot add more data
The account holder can top up again the next month and buy another 6 GB plan. During the same 30 days they cannot add another 360 CUP through the domestic channel. Balance sent from abroad lands in the same main account and can pay for another plan.
The extra 3, 7 and 15 GB plans, and the additional 2 GB plan, are not sold from this balance in the *133# menu. ETECSA sells those through Transfermóvil, MiTransfer or its online services. This page is about the balance that pays the 120, 240 and 360 CUP plans.
Internet plans paid with mobile balance
ETECSA sells these plans from main balance by dialing *133#. The first four also include 300 MB for Cuban websites only. They last 35 days from first use.
| Plan | Balance price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Data plan | 240 CUP | 4.5 GB |
| Bundle | 120 CUP | 2 GB, 15 min and 20 SMS |
| Bundle | 240 CUP | 4 GB, 35 min and 40 SMS |
| Bundle | 360 CUP | 6 GB, 60 min and 70 SMS |
| Daily plan | 25 CUP | 200 MB |
| toDus plan | 25 CUP | 1 GB for toDus and Nauta email |
Balance for internet in Cuba from €3.49
These products send a fixed amount of main balance. They do not activate the plan: the person in Cuba buys it by dialing *133#. Prices are Cargacell's catalog prices on 10 November 2026.
| Balance received | Price | Enough for |
|---|---|---|
| 120 CUP | €3.49 | The 2 GB bundle, with 15 minutes and 20 SMS |
| 240 CUP | €5.89 | The 4.5 GB plan or the 4 GB bundle |
| 360 CUP | €6.77 | The 6 GB plan, plus 60 minutes and 70 SMS |
| 720 CUP | €9.79 | Two 6 GB plans |
Checkout shows the final amount before you pay. If ETECSA changes a plan price, or Cargacell updates the catalog, the live price replaces this page.
How an international balance top-up gets past the cap
An international fixed-balance top-up is credited to the Cubacel line's main balance. Your relative spends it the same way as domestic balance: dial *133# and choose the plan. They do not change networks or install an app.
This is not a way around an ETECSA security control. The 360 CUP cap is a rule for domestic top-ups. A top-up sent from abroad is a different channel, and the balance it credits is spent on published plans. Cargacell is an independent reseller. We are not ETECSA, and we do not activate the plan for the recipient.
- Choose 120, 240, 360 or 720 CUP in the catalog.
- Pay in euros and enter the Cuban mobile number, including the +53 prefix.
- Cargacell staff process the balance top-up. These orders are not dispatched automatically.
- Once the balance is on the line, the recipient buys the plan by dialing *133#.
What to check before you pay
The phone number matters. A top-up sent to the wrong mobile may not be reversible. The recipient field already shows +53: check the eight local digits and the cart total.
Minutes and SMS in these plans work for domestic traffic only. The daily plan, the toDus plan and the 300 MB national allowance do not stack with another purchase. Other data, minutes and SMS of the same type do stack if another plan is bought before expiry, and the validity follows the newest plan.
International promotional top-ups, such as multiplied balance or a few days of unlimited data, are a different product. This article is only about fixed balance used to buy plans.
Common questions
How can someone get past ETECSA's 360 CUP limit every 30 days?
A domestic top-up cannot exceed 360 CUP in 30 days. An international balance top-up is credited to main balance and can pay for another data plan. At Cargacell, 360 CUP costs €6.77, which is the price of the 6 GB plan.
Is there a way to beat ETECSA's 360 CUP limit every 30 days?
You do not need to evade a rule. The limit applies to top-ups made inside Cuba. Balance sent from abroad is a separate channel: it arrives in the same account and is used at *133# to buy plans ETECSA already sells.
Does a cheap balance top-up deliver the gigabytes itself?
No. The product credits CUP to main balance. The person in Cuba buys the plan. €3.49 sends 120 CUP, the price of the 2 GB bundle. €5.89 sends 240 CUP, the price of the 4.5 GB plan or the 4 GB bundle. €9.79 sends 720 CUP, enough for two 6 GB plans.
How long does the balance take?
Cargacell staff process these balance top-ups. They are not sent automatically when payment is confirmed. You can follow the order status in your account.