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The Cuban Tourist Peso is a currency that's unique to Cuba, and it's used specifically by tourists. It's also known as the CUC.
You can exchange your money for Cuban Tourist Pesos at airports, banks, and currency exchange offices in Cuba. This is a good idea, as it's not widely accepted in the country.
The exchange rate is fixed at 1 CUC = 24 Cuban Pesos (CUP). This means that prices are listed in both CUC and CUP, and you'll need to pay in CUC.
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Understanding Cuban Currency
The official Cuban currency is the Cuban Pesos (CUP), but be aware that there's also a more valuable Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) in circulation.
You'll want to know the difference between the two because the CUC is much more commonly used and valuable. The CUC is pegged to the US dollar, with $1 USD = 1 CUC.
A vendor or taxi driver may try to give you change back in CUP, the less valuable Cuban peso, so be aware of this trick and know what both Cuban currencies look like.
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You can exchange money at government currency exchange houses called CADECA, resorts, hotels, airports, and your Airbnb or casa particular host.
It's a good idea to bring Euros or British Pounds with you to Cuba for a better exchange rate, as exchanging US dollars will incur a 10% penalty fee.
Here's a quick rundown of where and how to exchange Cuban currency:
Remember to check the official rate and count the money to avoid misunderstandings before making an exchange.
As a general guideline, it's recommended to bring an additional $100 per day in case you run out of money, and plan to spend around $50-100 per day per person.
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Preparing for Your Trip
When traveling to Cuba, it's essential to be informed about the local currency to avoid any unnecessary expenses. The official Cuban currency is the Cuban Pesos (CUP), and you'll find the faces of famous Cuban leaders on its banknotes.
To get the most out of your money, bring Euros or British Pounds, as these currencies offer a much better exchange rate than U.S. dollars. You'll be charged an extra 10% penalty fee on U.S. dollars exchanged for Cuban pesos, which is essentially a waste of money.
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You can exchange your money at government currency exchange houses called CADECA, resorts, hotels, airports, and even with your Airbnb or casa particular host. Don't forget to plan your expenses, as the recommended daily spending is $50-100 per person, with an additional $100 per day in case you run out of money.
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Bring Local Currency
You can't buy Cuban pesos before arriving in Cuba, so it's essential to exchange your money for the local currency as soon as you land. The official currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP), but you'll also encounter the Convertible Peso (CUC), which is used for tourist purposes.
To get the best exchange rate, it's recommended to bring Euros or British Pounds, as they offer a better rate than US dollars. In fact, exchanging US dollars can incur a 10% penalty fee, making it a waste of money.
You can exchange money at government currency exchange houses called CADECA, which are located in airports, hotels, resorts, and shopping centers. These offices will have TV screens displaying the daily exchange rates.
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Here are some recommended places to exchange money:
- Government currency exchange houses (CADECA)
- Airports
- Hotels
- Resorts
- Shopping centers
Before leaving the airport, it's a good idea to exchange a small amount of Cuban pesos to last you for at least two days. This will give you time to get settled and find a more convenient location to exchange the rest of your money.
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Atms in Cuba?
Visitors from other countries can withdraw Cuban pesos from ATMs.
You might need to wait in a long line to do so.
Hefty service fees are also something to be prepared for.
It's a good idea to have some local currency on hand before relying on ATMs.
Money in Cuba
Money in Cuba can be confusing, but don't worry, I've got you covered. The official Cuban currency is the Cuban Pesos (CUP), and the faces of famous Cuban leaders appear on CUP banknotes.
You'll also encounter the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC), which is much more valuable and commonly used. The exchange rate is $1 USD = 1 CUC, and $1 USD = 25 CUP.
To exchange your money, you can visit airports, hotels, banks, or CADECAS, which are government-regulated exchange houses. It's recommended to exchange at banks or CADECAS for the best rates. Be sure to check the official rate and count your money to avoid misunderstandings.
Here's a quick rundown of where to exchange Cuban currency:
- Airports: convenient, but rates may not be the most favorable
- Banks and CADECAS: best exchange rates, secure transactions
- Hotels: convenient, but rates may not be the most advantageous
Difference Between Cuc and Cup
The Cuban peso (CUP) and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC) are both legal Cuban currency, and they are both in circulation when using money in Cuba.
The CUC is much more valuable than the CUP, with $1 USD being equivalent to 1 CUC, while $1 USD is equivalent to 25 CUP.
You'll want to be aware of this difference because vendors or taxi drivers may try to give you change back in CUP, the less valuable Cuban peso.
CUC banknotes, which are no longer in circulation, had images of monuments or statues, while CUP bills have portraits of famous Cuban leaders such as José MartÃ, Fidel Castro, Ernesto Guevara, and Antonio Maceo.
Here's a quick way to identify the difference between CUC and CUP:
Knowing the difference between CUC and CUP will help you avoid getting scammed and ensure a smooth Cuban currency exchange.
Cash is King
Cash is used 99% of the time for all transactions in Cuba. Everyone carries the local Cuban currency on them whether it's CUC or CUP.
You'll need to bring plenty of cash with you for the whole trip. A safe budget would be about $100 a day per person, depending on your spending habits.
The exchange rate is about $1 USD to 1 CUC, so budget what you would normally spend on a trip in U.S. dollars.
It's also a good idea to bring Euros or Canadian dollars for a much better Cuban currency exchange rate, as exchanging U.S. dollars will incur a 10% penalty fee.
To exchange your money, you can go to airports, hotels, or government currency exchange houses called CADECA, which offer government-regulated exchange rates.
Here's a list of places where you can exchange money safely and efficiently:
- Airports
- Hotels
- CADECA offices (government currency exchange houses)
Remember to check the official rate and count the money to avoid misunderstandings before making any exchange.
Financial Considerations
When traveling from the United States to Cuba, it's essential to consider the financial implications of your trip.
U.S. travelers are forced to rely almost exclusively on cash for their expenses during their stay, as credit and debit cards issued by U.S. banks are generally not accepted in Cuba.
You'll need to exchange your money into Cuban Pesos (CUP) at official exchange houses (CADECAs), banks, or hotels. It's advisable to bring euros or pounds sterling, as the U.S. dollar may be subject to a less favorable exchange rate and additional commissions.
The U.S. government regulations also limit the types of activities and expenditures citizens can incur in Cuba, encouraging spending in entities that are not under the control of the Cuban armed forces or intelligence services.
U.S. travelers should be aware that their visa is more expensive than if traveling from another country and that they will also need to apply for authorization under one of 12 U.S. government-approved travel categories.
Here are some key financial considerations for U.S. travelers to Cuba:
This will require some extra planning and preparation, but with the right knowledge, you can navigate the financial aspects of your trip to Cuba with ease.
Practical Information
The Cuban tourist peso can be a bit tricky to navigate, but don't worry, I've got you covered. The official Cuban currency is the Cuban Pesos (CUP).
You'll need to exchange your money at the right places, such as government currency exchange houses called CADECA, resorts, hotels, airports, and your Airbnb or casa particular host.
Be aware that U.S. visitors can't retrieve money from local ATM machines, and U.S. credit cards and debit cards won't work in Cuba.
For a comfortable stay, plan to bring $50-100 per day, per person, for recommended spending. And, just in case, pack an additional $100 per day in case you run out of money.
Sources
- https://horizontecubano.law.columbia.edu/news/five-factors-understand-cuban-peso-devaluation
- https://hackerette.com/traveling-cuba-deal-currency-exchange/
- https://www.frommers.com/destinations/cuba/planning-a-trip/money
- https://travelwithladychin.com/cuba-currency-guide/
- https://passporterapp.com/en/blog/cuba/currency-money-cuba/
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