Money, Currency and Cards in Cuba
General Advice
Caba operates a slightly confusing two-tier currency system, whereby the local form of currency is the National Peso (CUP), where most foreign visitors will use the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC).
Cuban Convertible Peso
1 Peso = 100 centavos (cents).
Notes can be of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos. Coins can be of 1, 5 and 20 centavos, and there are others of 1 and 3 pesos.
Whilst most things will be charged to travellers in Convertible Pesos, there may be some instances where some National Pesos are useful. These tend to be where the main business is from local people, for example a local bus, street food ( like “Peso Pizza’s”) or a trip to the cinema.
Cash is recommended in the form of Canadian dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros to be exchanged into Convertible Pesos.
Ensure you carry plenty of small change as paying with large denomination bills can be difficult.
Credit cards (issued by a non-US bank), are accepted but will incur a commission so are best used as a back-up.
US Dollars are no longer legal tender in Cuba and a 10% commission is charged to exchange them.
Money Exchange
You may exchange Euros, Canadian dollars, Pounds Sterling for convertible pesos.
You can exchange currency at fair rates at Cadeca kiosks, throughout Cuba.
ATM Availability
ATM’s are not widely available, especially outside of tourist areas. For more information check the Visa ATM locator, the MasterCard ATM locator or theAmerican Express ATM locator for the addresses of ATMs around the world.
Credit Cards
Visa/MasterCard issued by a non-US bank are accepted in order to get cash advances from banks. You should take your passport as I.D. American Express and credit cards drawn on US banks are not accepted.
Travellers Cheques
Travellers cheques are not always easy to cash outside of tourist areas and will be subject to commissions charges.
Other Information
Banking hours are 08:30-12:00hrs and 13:30-15:00hrs Mon-Fri. 08:30-10:30hrs Sat.
