Cuban Currency
Most payments in Cuba are normally made with convertible pesos (CUC’s) by tourists.
However, at hotels tourists can pay with foreign currency such as U.S. dollars, Euros, Canadian dollars, Pounds Sterling or Swiss Francs and the hotel will apply the current exchange rate of the day.
Some shops and restaurants might accept Euros and apply the current exchange rate of the day.
Banks and bureau de exchange (CADECAS) will change foreign currency to CUC’s as well as exchanging CUC’s to foreign currencies, at the prevailing exchange rate.
There are some ATM’s where you can use your credit/debit card to withdraw CUC’s. Such cards must not be issued by U.S. banks, it is important that tourists check with their bank if their card will be valid in Cuba.
The use of U.S. dollars have a special surcharge when making exchanges to CUC’s or exchanges from CUC’s to U.S. dollars. Examples: For 100 U.S. dollars you receive 87 CUC’s. For 100 CUC’s you receive 96 U.S. dollars.
When you depart from Cuba at the airport you need to pay the Cuba Airport Departure Tax of 25 CUC’s in cash.
There are bureau de exchange (CADECAS) at the airports, landside and airside.
