What you need to know about travel money before you get on the plane to Cuba
Cuba has two legal currencies: the Cuban convertible peso (CUC) and the Cuban peso (CUP). You’re going to come across both currencies, but convertible pesos are a tourist currency. Some visitors use convertible pesos only, but having CUP will let you experience the true flavor of the country – 1 CUC is equal to about 24 CUP.
Delicious street treats like fresh juice is available for cheap using CUP. You can pay with CUC, but it’s cost-effective if you’re using the same currency as the locals. Spending CUC and getting CUP as change isn’t uncommon either. Be sure to spend all of your CUP before you leave the country, as you won’t be able to change it back when you return home.
Our pick for travel
Compare travel cards for Cuba
When picking out the ideal credit card for your trip to Cuba, make sure to choose one that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Though small, these fees can add up quickly over the course of a vacation.
Why we like: Travelex Money Card
Load GBP, EUR, CAD, AUD, JPY or MXN onto this prepaid travel money card and use it at millions of locations worldwide.
- Not linked to your bank account for safety.
- Convert currency with a 5.50% foreign exchange fee
- Contactless payments
- Reload, withdraw, or replace your card for free.
What are the currencies that can be easily exchanged in Cuba?
- US dollars (USD)
- Canadian dollars (CAD)
- British pounds (GBP)
- Mexican pesos (MXN)
- Euros (EUR)
- Japanese yen (JPY)
- Swiss francs (CHF)
- Tip: You’ll have to pay a fee for an entry visa when you arrive to the country, it’s about $20 or 240 pesos.
How much should I budget to travel in Cuba?
| Budget (Cheap) | Midrange | Luxury (High-end) | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Hotel room per night $20 |
Casa Particular (double room) $30 |
Hotel Nacional de Cuba Havana (standard room) $130 |
 |
Real Cuban restaurant Meal for two, no alcohol $5–$13 |
Meal for two with one alcoholic meal $30–$45 |
Meal for two with a bottle of wine $50–$100 |
 |
Wa-Wa – local bus $0.02 |
Taxi (public) $5–$20 depending on length of journey |
Tourist Bus: Viazul: Havana to Varadero $10 |
*Prices are approximate and are subject to change.
Back to topExchange rate history (USD to CUP/CUC)
| Year | Average annual exchange US dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP) | Average annual exchange US dollar (USD) to Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 26.5 | 1 |
| 2013 | 26.5 | 1 |
| 2014 | 26.5 | 1 |
| 2015 | 26.5 | 1 |
| 2016 | 26.5 | 1 |
| 2017 | 26.5 | 1 |
*Exchange rates are accurate as of 5 September 2017
Back to topShould it be a travel card, a debit card or credit card?
A credit card and debit card combo is definitely the way to spend in Cuba as you shouldn’t have any problem using either to withdraw cash from a bank — you may have issues using ATMs on the street. Mastercard and Visa will typically work for over-the-counter cash withdrawals, but be aware that some card brands won’t work at all. American Express, GE Money and Citi credit and debit cards won’t work due to their affiliation with the United States.
Although no prepaid travel cards currently support Cuban pesos, preloading a currency with a good history against the Cuban pesos could be beneficial. While there are travel cards that don’t charge for currency conversion, it is important to consider the back-end fees, exchange rate and if you want to manage an extra account.
How to use a credit card in Cuba
A quick summary of travel money options in Cuba
Here are some of the benefits and disadvantages of using different types of travel money products in Cuba.
| Travel money option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Debit cards for travel |
|
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| Prepaid travel money cards |
|
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| Credit cards for travel |
|
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| Traveler’s checks |
|
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| Cash |
|
|
This table is a general summary of the travel money products in the market. Features and benefits can vary between cards.
How the different travel money products work in Cuba
Using a debit card
If you’re going to use a debit card when you’re on vacation, paying the extra fee for currency conversion is may be unavoidable, unless you can get your hands on the Capital One 360 debit card.
Using a prepaid travel card
No travel cards support the Cuban Pesos, so look for a card that waives currency conversion fee, such as Travelex. It won’t charge for currency conversion when you spend in pesos, which can be higher than what you’d pay if you use your regular debit or credit card. The downside is these cards charge a couple of dollars for international ATM withdrawal in Cuba.
Using a credit card
Where credit cards are accepted, Visa and Mastercard credit cards will give you no problem making purchase or withdrawals from ATMs in Cuba. Look for a card that waives foreign transaction fees like the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard. American Express, Diners Club and Citi cards will not work in Cuba. It’s advised you open an account with another institution if you plan on using your credit card to spend (and it’s always encouraged to have credit as a backup).
Using a traveler’s checks
Don’t worry about traveler’s checks in Cuba as there are fewer places than ever to get a traveler’s check cashed. Card providers can give you a full refund if you get your credit or debit card scammed,
Paying with cash in Cuba
Take as much cash with you as you can as it will be easy to exchange when you go to Cuba. Make withdrawals from your debit account and use your credit card for big purchases. We’ve heard different cards will and won’t work in different places, which is why it’s important to have as much cash on you as possible.
Back to topWe interviewed Oliver, a finder.com user, and asked about how he spent money during his visit to Cuba as he explored Havana, Trinidad and Camaguey. Why did you take these cards or cash with you? Oliver says there is no limit to the amount of money you can bring into Cuba and the Havana airport has ATM machines as well as cadecas where money can be exchanged. Amounts more than $5,000 must be declared when you enter the country. He didn’t have problems finding places to swap money in the larger cities: Havana, Camaguey and Trinidad; however, he says ATMs are far less common than other countries What about ATM withdrawals? Oliver didn’t make any ATM withdrawals in Cuba, he exchanged cash when he needed it and used his credit card for purchases on the rare occasion. Where could you use your credit cards? Oliver explains that there weren’t as many places as expected where cards could be used over the counter (large hotels and upscale restaurants being the exception). ATMs could be found predominately in the main tourist areas and gave him no problem. What do you think is the best way to take travel money to Cuba? Cash. You’re going to need a credit card for ‘just in case’ situations; however, expect to pay cash for the majority of transactions on the island. Do you have any Cuba travel money tips? Oliver says it’s better to take euros than US dollars to Cuba. If you’re trying to exchange US dollars, a 13% fee applies to the transaction — 10% for changing US currency (other currencies such as euros don’t incur this fee) and 3% for actually exchanging the cash (this applies no matter which currency you’re trying to change). Cuban banknotes are quite different so you may want to familiarize yourself with it before heading there: $1 $3 $5 $10 $20 $50 $100 You can’t buy Cuban pesos in the US, so you’re going to have to wait until you get there to obtain local currency. When you arrive in Cuba, you can get your cash changed at the airport or look for cadecas (money changers). Like we mentioned before, cards can work in some places and not in others; this is why it’s important to spread your funds across a couple of different types of travel money options. Take as much cash as you can with you to Cuba and use a debit card or a credit card (ideally both) when you need more money. Heading to Cuba? Travel insurance is a must. Since May 2010, travel Insurance for the duration of your trip with sufficient medical cover has been a requirement for entry into Cuba. Travel insurance can protect you from common travel risks such as:Interview with Oliver about using travel money in Cuba
What cards did you take with you?A guide to Cuban banknotes and coins
Banknote
Cuban Peso (CUP)
Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC)
Buying Cuban pesos
Why do I need to take more than just one card?
Get travel insurance quotes for your vacation in Cuba
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