Cash in Cuba

In Cuba, USD and Euros are widely accepted. However, expect to pay different prices due to complicated conversion rates. Previously, there were two national currencies: the Cuban Peso (CUP) and the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). The Cuban Convertible Peso is no longer used, and foreign currency is accepted. Always confirm rates before purchasing something or taking a taxi.

When dining at restaurants, you will often see multiple prices that are not equivalent. Typically, paying with Cuban Pesos costs about 1/3 of the price, while paying in USD can be double, triple, or even quadruple. For example, a meal might cost 1650 CUP, which is approximately 5 USD as of December 2024. However, the same meal might be priced at 15 USD on the menu. These discrepancies likely exist to make prices more affordable for locals.

Avoid using conversion apps as they are often inaccurate. To find the current exchange rate, I recommend visiting Tasas de cambio | elTOQUE. ( https://eltoque.com/tasas-de-cambio-de-moneda-en-cuba-hoy )

When traveling to Cuba, bring small bills in excellent condition. Many vendors and locals will not accept bills with rips, tears, or writing.

Lastly, bring more than enough cash. American citizens do not have access to banking services, and ATMs and credit/debit cards will not work. You will be unable to get more money, so bring enough to last for your entire stay in Cuba.