I live in the UK and Im going to Cuba next month and I am unsure what currency to take with me. Help?

Answer 1

the peso

Answer 2

make sure you have some cuban peso's but its best to keep most of your money in pounds or dollars

strong foreign currency will get you better deals in 3rd world counties than their own currency will, just make sure you understand the exchange rate each day so that you dont pay more than you would using the local money.


from (weblink below) cuba facts and info
In Cuba circulate two currencies

Nowadays in Cuba circulate two currencies: the Cuban Peso (CUP or MN) and the Convertible Cuban Peso (CUC), both made up of 100 cents (centavos). The Cuban Peso as well the Convertible Cuban Peso are only exchangeable and expandable within the country. The CUC was issued first time in 1994 and at the time of this writing one CUC was worth twenty-four Cuban Pesos.

The price of services and goods for travelers to Cuba are set in CUC. Banknotes in circulation are 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 CUC and coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 cents (1 CUC). You can obtain CUC exchanging your currency upon arrival. The currency exchange service is provided at the airports, hotels, banks and Casas de Cambio (CADECA), spread all around the country and some of them working 24 hours, seven days a week.

Useful information: You will find that at the airports the rate is slightly less favourable, so exchange just what you will need for the first days. You can exchange the rest later at any bank, hotel, or CADECA.

Answer 3

I am Cuban.

Do NOT take dollars. If you can, take euros. The dollars is depreciated to 90 cents (usd) for every cuban dollar. On top of that you pay a 10% fee.

So.. for every dollar you give, you only get 80 cents.

Whatever you do, don't take dollars.

I went back in June and they have charts at the Exchange Houses ["cadecas"] displaying rates for USD, Canadian Dollar, Swiss Franc, Euro, Mex peso, and Pound

Hope it helps!

oh! and 1 Convertible Peso = 25 regular pesos.

for 1 pound you should get close to 2 convertible pesos.

Answer 4

Don't listen to people telling you to take US dollars they are 3 years behind the times.

"All the goods and services in Cuba are priced in Cuban Convertible pesos only, (including transportation and the departure tax from Cuba are priced and payable in CUCs).

The value of the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) is no longer at par with US dollars. It is 8% higher than the US dollar. To exchange US dollars into the CUC there is a 10% surcharge, while exchanges from Canadian dollars, Euros, UK pounds and Swiss Francs will not incur a surcharge. To check the daily exchange rate please visit: http://www.bc.gov.cu/English/exchange_rate.asp "

Answer 5

Cuba's main industry is tourism so you'll be fine with almost any currency you take (even US Dollars). They have currency exchange for most currency's in the world (GBP, EURO, Swiss Francs, YEN, etc.) You then change your money for something that is called "Peso Convertible" which is Cuba's tourist money. In Cuba the only currency they receive for tourist is "Peso Convertible" so make sure to change enough to get around.

Answer 6

I agree with above. Take Euros or Pounds. I took Canadian dollars. There is a 10% surcharge on US dollars, so you are only receiving 90% of it's value. You can exchange it right at the airport or even in your hotel. When I was there in January it cost $1.25 Canadian to get 1 CUC. Not sure what the rate would be for Pounds or Euros.

Answer 7

Apparently the best currency to take at the moment is euros( that's what I'm taking)
£1 = 52 peso
1 euro = 35 peso

above is average at present

Answer 8

As your British you take sterling with you, all the hotels have their own bank so they will change your money to Cuban pesos for you and won't rip you off rate wise either, you can exchange money at the airport too as soon as you land though personally we found the rates better at the hotel, you can also take your credit cards as long as they aren't American based, no American dollars these days either, Cuba is a wonderful place and you will just love it, have a fantastic time..

Answer 9

Take either Euros or Pounds...DO NOT TAKE US DOLLARS. This is no longer ther prefered currency. If you take it you will have to pay an excahgne fee of 10% of what you are exchanging!
When you arrive at the airport, exchange your money into CUC (convertible pesos) as the resort banks are often lined up.
Enjoy your trip!

Answer 10

you can take canadian dollars or what we did last year change your money when you get there to the cuban peso wich is like the american dollar for tourist the are really good with changing money at the airport or hotel what ever you do do not use the cashpoint as they will charge 15%.

Answer 11

The currency of Cuba is the Cuban Peso.

£1 = 45 cuban peso's.