The official currency of Cuba is the Cuban Peso (CUP) BUT this is not the currency used by tourists. Before November 2004, it was possible for tourists to use the U.S. dollar in Cuba, but it is no longer the case. To replace the US currency, the Cuban government has introduced the Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) as the official currency for tourism. This currency was first introduced in 1994. The size of the bills is fixed at 150 x 70 mm.
Since March 14th, 2011, the Cuban government has restored the parity of the Peso Convertible (CUC) with the U.S. dollar (USD). Click HERE to learn more about this important change in the Cuban economy. DO NOT BRING US DOLLAR IN CUBA. YOU WILL STILL PAY AN EXTRA 10%. The 10% extra is still in force in Cuba!
This currency is only legal in Cuba. It is therefore, impossible to buy CUC outside the country.
You can change your currency (CAD, EURO, GBP, etc.) for the Convertible Pesos at the airport or at the lobby of your hotel (cash or travelers checks from a non-US financial institution). However, there are administrative fees. It is best to exchange currency in a bank (CADECA), rather than the lobby. The cost can sometimes be excessive at the lobby, especially in the 5-star hotels. We have already seen 10% fee while the average is about 3%. Please be advised!
Credit cards like VISA and MASTERCARD are accepted in Cuba, EXCEPT those issued by a U.S. bank (MBNA card owners should leave their cards at home). AMERICAN EXPRESS card is not accepted in Cuba.
It is also possible to have a cash advance on your credit card in Convertible Pesos. Remember the interest on the amount withdrawn will be charged from the date of the transaction NOT when you received the invoice!
The Cuban convertible peso is now equal to the U.S. dollar. If you pay by credit card, the amount in CUC will be converted into USD plus 3% of administration fee.
Do not change only what you think you need for your stay, because there will be a fee for changing back your CUC remaining in your currency. Unless you want to keep them for an upcoming trip to Cuba! Although it is illegal to bring Cuban bills outside the country, there is no search for the remaining CUC when you leave the country.
Do not bring damaged currency to Cuba because they can refuse you money with cut corners, torn or with writing on. The $ 100 bills are accepted in exchange offices of the hotels in Cuba.
There are offices to change your currency in CUC (or vice versa) at the airports on arrivals and departures. Do not forget to keep 25 Convertible Pesos to pay the departure tax of Cuba.
25 CUC (Peso convertible) per person.
Click to see a photo of the stamp.
Older versions of the stamp. The stamp is affixed to your flight boarding pass and torn in half before boarding.
No copy can be done!
The departure tax is payable in cash only at the airport (CUC). No credit card, debit, check or other currency allowed. You pay the departure tax at a special counter for this purpose AFTER you are registered of your airline. THEN, you go through customs with your passport, boarding pass and the second part of your tourist card.
Use only CUC for tipping, not your currency. Generally tourists leaves about 50 CUC per couple, per week. 1 CUC to the bartender from time to time, 1 CUC after the meal (breakfast and lunch) and 2 CUC for dinner and 2 CUC for maids (or gifts). Feel free to give according to the service received. Remember that tipping is for service received, not to buy a service, as we have often witnessed.