what is the best money to use in cuba
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Republic of cuba's currency has inverse – locals and tourists say goodbye to the then-chosen dual currency organisation and hello to the reactivation of the historic national currency, the Cuban Peso (CUP). Nevertheless, visitors are reporting that you might not actually use any Pesos while visiting Cuba.
This guide will particular everything you need to know about Cuban currency, answer whether you can use your credit card in Cuba and discuss the rumoured USD tax AND exchange fee!
Want to share your currency in Republic of cuba experience? Please get out a annotate at the end of this guide or contact us.
Traveling to Cuba shortly? Here'due south our beginning timer'due south guide to Cuba
What Type of Cuba Currency Is At that place?
There is at present 1 unified currency in Republic of cuba, the Cuban Peso (Cup).
The Cup which should trade at 24 pesos to the US Dollar.
Nevertheless, travelers who accept recently returned state that they didn't demand Pesos at all.
Previously, there were two currencies.
The CUP, outlined in a higher place, which tourists only really used for street food, and the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC).
The Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC pronounced Melt), was the then-chosen Cuban tourist currency, used daily by foreigners to pay for accommodation such as casas particulares, buses, taxis, tours and food.
The CUC will be phased out, making way for the CUP.
Here is how to tell the difference betwixt the two notes.
- Loving cup = Pesos, pictures of people on the nib/note. Che on the 3 CUP note
- CUC = Convertibles, pictures of monuments on the bill/note
- 1 CUC = 24 CUP, check the up to date rates here
The 3 peso note is pop with visitors as it has Che Guevara face on information technology!
Can I Get Cuban Currency in the UK/United states/Etc?
No, you can't exchange your native currency for Cuban in your home country or anywhere in the world apart from Cuba.
Notwithstanding, it is looking like you don't actually demand to worry about Cuban Pesos as hotels, restaurants and taxis are accepting Pound sterling (GBP) and Euros (EUR).
Y'all tin can also exchange money at these places to and it is beingness suggested that the street exchange value is much better than rates offered at official places.
Thanks to Tim in the comments for this update.
Note: Some locals refer to the Pound as Sterling, just remember that if you are trying to exchange money.
Information technology's a little muddier for US Dollars (USD) with some saying that they are accepted on the street and others saying restaurants and taxis will take USD but not all hotels.
Some hotels are offering 25% disbelieve off the food beak if you pay with credit card using GBP or USD.
Thanks to A. Loch for the feedback from their nigh recent trip to Cuba.
Yous may also like our guide to scams in Cuba that actually happen.
What Currency to Take to Republic of cuba?
You tin't buy Loving cup in other countries similar you tin can buy euros for your trip to, say, Paris.
As a workaround, information technology is recommended* that yous take either of the following iii currencies to Cuba in greenbacks:
- Pound sterling (GBP)
- Euros (EUR)
- Canadian dollars (CAD)
You lot tin can see today'due south Cuba exchange rate here every bit well every bit other currencies accepted and their exchange rates.
* Taking GBP, EUR or CAD is only recommended if the exchange charge per unit is healthy at habitation and you don't have to go miles out of your way to make the exchange. Shop around online to see what the all-time rates are before deciding if yous are going to substitution your native currency for either of the three.
What is the Cuba Exchange Rate for USD?
Up until July 2020, there was a 10% conversion fee on the U.s. "greenback" dollar.
This meant visitors were charged the iii% conversation fee discussed to a higher place and a further 10% fee and so 13% fee in total.
Previously, this would have meant:
- $x USD – xiii% (1.30) = $eight.seventy
- $100 USD – 13% (13) = $87
According to many news outlets, as of July 2020, the 10% tax has at present been scrapped. Do you have experience of this? Delight get out us a annotate or email gemma(at)twoscotsabroad(dot)com.
However, the official Banco Key De Cuba still shows GBP, EUR and CAD to offering improve conversions than the USD.
How to Get Cuban Currency
As mentioned in a higher place, you might not need to Cuban currency during your trip.
However, for your ain knowledge, hither is how to go Cuban currency.
The official Cuba money exchange is called CaDeCa (Casa de Cambio).
They tin be found everywhere in Havana and the bigger cities but less so in smaller towns.
We were caught out in Caleton by Playa Larga every bit the bank hours were limited. Luckily new friends lent us some CUC then nosotros could go diving at the Bay of Pigs the next 24-hour interval.
To exchange coin at CaDeCa you need:
- An early rise
- Your passport
- Patience
Be prepared to wait in long lines.
I read that CADECA shops close at 3pm so become there early, at opening times is recommended. Although changing money in Cuba is not impossible, it tin be taxing on fourth dimension.
At that place are two CADECA at Havana airport, check upstairs for the quieter one which had no line when we arrived.
It is recommended to exchange as much as you are comfortable with at the airport.
The airport ATM did not piece of work during our divergence.
Cue panic as we were not aware that there was a revenue enhancement y'all have to pay to leave. Luckily our airline had already covered information technology. Read our guide to Cuba to avert the silly mistakes nosotros made.
You can also exchange GBP or EUR to Peso locally; ask your casa host, hotels or taxis drivers.
Should I Exchange Money at my Casa?
It is mutual for visitors to substitution money at their casa.
Non all casas volition offer this service simply they will signal you in the right direction of who can aid if you desire to substitution money.
You tin can shop around this way likewise.
Have you exchanged money at your casa?Please share your experience in the comments below.
Read next: a guide to casas in Cuba.
What about ATMs in Cuba?
In that location are 'pigsty in the wall' ATMs in Cuba and nosotros used them subsequently our greenbacks ran out.
Non-The states Visa is the preferred carte du jour. Others may non work.
Again, at that place may be lines and in that location are instances when the coin runs out. ATMs also max out so you may accept to return for more than.
Cash may come up out before your card and so remember to lift information technology out the automobile or information technology volition get swallowed. We had a swallowed bill of fare incident in Peru and it sucked, boom blast!
Overall, getting cash in Cuba is relatively like shooting fish in a barrel if you have a non-US carte du jour that works, can beat out the crowds and don't mind making a few runs.
Can You Utilise Credit Cards in Republic of cuba?
Increasingly, hotels, restaurants and tour accept non-US credit cards.
Information technology isn't certain whether your credit carte will work in Cuba so it is all-time to take greenbacks besides.
Then How Much Does Cuba Toll?
The total budget for iii weeks in Cuba came to 1903.50 USD. That'south 90 USD per twenty-four hours for two people with limited activities and one week in an all-inclusive resort. You tin can read the total details here in our breakdown guide.
Often Asked Questions
What money is used in Republic of cuba?
Officially, the currency used in Cuba is the Cuban Peso (CUP) merely EUR, GBP and CAD are wildly accepted.
Tin I use USD in Republic of cuba?
Possibly. Some say the street value for USD exchange is good.
Should I exchange my USD before I get to Cuba?
You can't actually substitution USD to CUP outside of Cuba.
Should I exchange my USD to another currency before I travel?
This very much depends on what exchange rate you can get for GBP, CAD or EUR.
If the rate is poor, it may be worth you taking USD.
If it involves you having to drive for miles and eats into your time, just take USD and be prepared to wait in line.
Farther Reading
- Republic of cuba Travel Guide
- Planning a Trip to Republic of cuba
- How to Get WiFi and 4G in Cuba
- Guide to Accommodation in Republic of cuba
- How Much Does Cuba Cost
- Scams to Avert in Cuba
- Guide to Havana
- Havana Tours
- Vinales Travel Guide
- Diving in Republic of cuba
Final Words
I hope this has helped answer your question – what currency do you utilize in Cuba?
To recap, the best currency to take to Cuba is either EUR, GBP or CAD, depending on where you are traveling from.
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Source: https://www.twoscotsabroad.com/cuban-currency/
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