Cuba Money

Currency

Convertible Peso (CUC; symbol CUC$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of CUC$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of CUC$1, and 20, 5, 2 and 1 centavos.

Note: US Dollars are no longer accepted in Cuba and visitors will be charged 20% commission on exchanging them. In the 1990s, Cuba decided to slowly get rid of its Dollar reserves, banning the currency from general use and introduced the replacement CUC as a ‘tourist dollar' under its control. Cuban nationals continue to be paid in the Cuban Peso (CUP). In some tourist areas, the Euro is also accepted. Hard currency (ie CUCs not CUPs) must be used in most transactions.

Currency Exchange

Money should be exchanged at state-run CADECAs (cheaper than banks) or international air- and seaports. Dollars attract a 10% surcharge on top of the normal commission (US citizens should bring Euros to exchange). All local currency must be exchanged again before leaving the country. Card transactions attract a surcharge (3 to 5%) - see below.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

MasterCard and Visa are increasingly accepted, provided they are not issued by a US bank, or a bank with links to the USA, but hefty fees are often added. ATMs are still rare, but cash can be obtained in banks with non-US Visa credit and Visa debit cards. Cirrus/Maestro is not accepted.

Traveller's Cheques

US Dollar, Pounds Sterling and other major currencies are accepted; US Dollar cheques issued by US banks are not accepted. It is recommended to take cheques in a currency other than US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1330-1500, Sat 0830-1030. Hours may vary and banks may be open all day in larger cities.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Date Apr 09
£1.00= CUC$1.36
$1.00= CUC$0.93
€1.00= CUC$1.23
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