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 Chart your island course on official Cuba Education and Explorer Tours. |
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| 1 855 OUR CUBA toll free 1 855 687 2822 toll free |
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5am–5pm Monday to Friday, 9am–4pm Saturdays (PST). Click to chat online. |
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NOTICE Information herein is current at . This page covers important money and safety issues. Please study it carefully prior to departure. |
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| Important The Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) can only be purchased and used in Cuba. Spend it or exchange it on the island before you return home. | ||||||
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Read Cuba travelers' reviews. |
Currency Converter by OANDA. IMPORTANT: U.S. dollars are levied a ten percent (10%) extra fee when purchasing Cuban Convertible Pesos.
The Cuban convertible peso (CUC) is the only currency used by island visitors. All goods and services are priced and paid for in the CUC, including the Cuban airport departure tax of 25 CUC, gratuities, etc. The purchasing power of the CUC in Cuba is similar to that of the US dollar.
The CUC benchmarked to the US dollar at one-to-one: One CUC = One US dollar.
HOWEVER, changing US dollars into CUCs carries an additional 10% fee. This fee does not apply to other currencies. Conclusion If you take Canadian dollars, Euros, GBP sterling or Swiss francs there is no additional fee to convert them. In doing so, you'll increase your purchasing power by about eight percent (8%) overall.
Travelers should carefully evaluate daily spending needs. It is better to take more money than you think necessary than to get caught short of funds while on the island.
US travelers Take all the money you anticipate spending while in Cuba plus extra as you'll not have access to funds from abroad on the island. We suggest a minimum of $75 per day for tour participants.
A supply of travelers checks can serve as contingency funds (see below).
Credit cards and travelers checks
Credit cards issued by non-U.S. banks can be used in Cuba. Cash advance fees on credit cards in Cuba can run as high as 10% or more.
American Express and all other credit cards from the United States do not work in Cuba.
Travelers checks from all countries, including American Express travelers checks, can be redeemed in Cuba at Banco Financiero Internacional (BFI).
The discount fee is 7% and other fees may apply.
In order to redeem travelers checks, you must have your passport and the original travelers check purchase receipt showing the travelers check number.
Debit cards do not work in Cuba.
Money safety and security
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All visitors should keep cash, important documents, identification and other valuables in your hotel room's lock box.
During the day only take the amount of money you plan on spending and consider keeping it in a money belt.
A photocopy of your passport is sufficient identification. However, your actual passport is necessary when conducting banking, credit card or traveler check transactions in Cuba.
Ostentatious displays of jewelry, cameras and spending can attract pickpockets. Keep valuables firmly secured to your person.
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| Denominations of the Cuban convertible peso (CUC) Click image to enlarge |
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 One CUC Peso bill. |
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 Three CUC Peso bill. |
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 Five CUC Peso bill. |
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 Ten CUC Peso bill. |
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 Twenty CUC Peso bill. |
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 Fifty CUC Peso bill. |
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 Hundred CUC Peso bill. |
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CUC coins 1 centavo 5 centavos 10 centavos 25 centavos 50 centavos 1 peso |
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