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Cuba Cuba Currency Guide

The currency of Cuba and how to prepare for payments — all on one page.

Currency

Cuban Peso

CUP

Checking rates

Check with your bank app or card issuer before you go

The rate and fees you actually pay differ by bank and card issuer.

Payment Tips to Remember

Always pay in the local currency

If a terminal asks whether to charge in your home currency, always choose the local currency. Choosing your home currency triggers DCC (dynamic currency conversion), which adds a hidden markup.

Set up a travel card before you fly

Prepaid multi-currency travel cards let you convert money in the app beforehand and pay like a debit card locally. Fees are usually lower than cash exchange counters, and you can freeze the card instantly from the app if lost.

Airport exchange counters: last resort

Airport counters are convenient but tend to offer some of the worst rates. If you need cash, exchange via your bank's app before departure or consider withdrawing from a local ATM.

Check ATM fees on screen

Local ATMs may add their own operator fee. Check the fee shown on the confirmation screen before proceeding. If the ATM offers conversion to your home currency (DCC), choosing the local currency is usually better.

Keep some small cash

Every country has places that don't take cards — markets, tips, small transport. Carrying a small amount of cash in separate places keeps you covered.

Cards for Abroad

Explore the Wise multi-currency card

One account holding 40+ currencies, converting and paying at mid-market based rates. Handy for multi-country trips — no need to exchange for each currency separately.

Learn more

Local data

Get an eSIM for Cuba before you go

Activate mobile data with a QR code instead of swapping SIM cards. Buy it before departure and switch it on the moment you land.

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Check prices and availability on the booking sites.

City Guides in Cuba

Havana

Havana is the capital of Cuba, located in the western part of the country. With a population of more than 2 million, it is Cuba's largest city.

Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba is Cuba's second-largest city and the capital of Santiago de Cuba Province, a port city on the Caribbean coast. It lies far to the southeast of Havana and serves as the hub of southeastern Cuba.

Camagüey

Camagüey is a city in central Cuba and the capital of Camagüey Province. Known for cattle ranching and sugarcane farming, it offers a glimpse of Cuba's rural landscape.

Guantánamo

Guantánamo is a city in southeastern Cuba and the capital of Guantánamo Province. It is also known for the nearby US naval base, which gives the area a distinctive atmosphere.

Cienfuegos

A city on Cuba's southern coast, home to a botanical garden, theater, and cathedral among its many sights. Its riverside scenery makes for a relaxed, pleasant stroll.