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The Cuban Convertible Peso, or CUC, was introduced in 1994 as a replacement for the old Cuban Peso, allowing tourists and foreigners to easily exchange their money for a stable and widely accepted currency.
It's worth noting that the CUC is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 1:1, making it a stable store of value.
The CUC is divided into 100 subunits called centavos, just like the Cuban Peso it replaced. This makes it easy for locals and tourists alike to understand and use the currency.
You can exchange your money for CUC at banks, currency exchange offices, or even some hotels and resorts.
What is the Cuban Convertible Peso?
The Cuban Convertible Peso is a currency that was introduced in 1994 in Cuba, primarily used in tourism and international transactions. It was pegged to the US dollar.
The CUC was used to replace the Cuban peso and the US dollar for certain transactions following an economic crisis. It was introduced alongside the Cuban peso, which was used for local transactions for basic goods and services.
You could exchange Cuban pesos (CUP) for CUC at a fixed rate of 24 CUP to 1 CUC (sell) and 25 CUP to 1 CUC (buy) at exchange offices (CADECA).
History
The Cuban Convertible Peso has a fascinating history. It was first introduced in 1985, when Banco Nacional de Cuba issued foreign exchange certificates of various types.
In the early 1990s, the Cuban government allowed the possession of U.S. dollars, which had previously been illegal, and began selling goods and services in U.S. dollars, initially for tourism and luxury items.
The convertible peso was introduced in 1994 to circulate together with the U.S. dollar. This was separate from the Cuban peso (CUP), which was used for staple items.
The Cuban peso (CUP) can be exchanged to the convertible peso (CUC) at exchange offices (CADECA) at a fixed rate. Since the early 2000s the rates have been 24 CUP to 1 CUC (sell) and 25 CUP to 1 CUC (buy).
On 8 November 2004, the Cuban government withdrew the U.S. dollar from circulation, citing the need to retaliate against further sanctions from the Helms–Burton Act.
Currency
The Cuban Convertible Peso was introduced in 1994 in Cuba to replace the Cuban peso and the US dollar for certain transactions following an economic crisis.
It was primarily used in tourism and international transactions, contrasting with the Cuban peso's use in local transactions for basic goods and services.
The Cuban Convertible Peso was historically pegged to the US dollar.
As of recent updates, the CUC has been in the process of being phased out.
Exchange Rates and Conversions
You can exchange Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) for US Dollars (USD) at various rates, depending on the method of exchange.
The interbank rate offers a 0% transfer fee, converting 1 CUC to 1 USD.
The ATM rate charges a 2% transfer fee, converting 1 CUC to 0.98 USD.
The credit card rate charges a 3% transfer fee, converting 1 CUC to 0.97 USD.
The kiosk rate charges a 5% transfer fee, converting 1 CUC to 0.95 USD.
If you exchange 1 CUC using the 1% transfer fee, you'll get 0.99 USD.
The higher the transfer fee, the lower the amount of USD you'll receive for 1 CUC.
CUC/USD
The Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) is pegged to the US Dollar (USD), which means their values are tied together. This is why you'll often see them used interchangeably in Cuba.
If you're interested in learning more about the CUC, you might be surprised to know that it's not a real currency, but rather a pegged currency to the US Dollar. The CUC is used alongside the Cuban Peso (CUP) in Cuba.
The CUC is divided into 100 subunits, just like the US Dollar. You can find CUC coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 25 cents, as well as banknotes in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 CUC.
President Raúl Castro Plans to Abolish
President Raúl Castro Plans to Abolish the Cuban Convertible Peso. He announced plans to eliminate the dual currency system in 2021.
The Cuban government has been working to unify the two currencies, the Cuban peso and the convertible peso, since 2013. This move aims to simplify the economy and make it more efficient.
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The Cuban Convertible Peso was introduced in 1994 as a replacement for the US dollar, which was widely used on the island. It's currently pegged to the US dollar.
The dual currency system has been a source of frustration for many Cubans, who have to deal with two different exchange rates and currencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cuba still use convertible pesos?
No, Cuba no longer uses the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) as a form of currency. The Cuban Peso (CUP) is now the country's main form of legal currency.
Can tourists use Cuban pesos?
Tourists can use Cuban Pesos (CUP) in Cuba, but note that they are not exchangeable outside of the country. It's recommended to exchange them back to your original currency before leaving Cuba.
Where can I convert Cuban pesos?
You can exchange Cuban pesos at Cadecas, government-run currency exchange houses, or banks, which are widely available in every town. Both Cadecas and banks offer the same exchange rates, set by the government.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_convertible_peso
- https://valuta.exchange/cuc-to-usd
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/double-trouble-cuba-moves-to-scrap-its-dual-currency-system-8899847.html
- https://www.currency.wiki/cuc_cny
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/money-transfer/currency-converter/cuc-usd/
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