The currency question took up a surprising amount of our Cuba preparation. Our original post explained two kinds of pesos, compared banknotes and described changing money after arrival. It was written for a system that travellers should no longer use as a current guide.

The useful memory is about paying attention: recognise the notes, check the amount and understand the terms before exchanging money. The old conversions, tipping advice and dollar surcharge do not belong in a present-day checklist.

First published on 14 March 2016, after planning and travelling in the 2015–2016 period. CUC photographs and rates belong to the former system. The separate current-planning note was checked on 18 October 2026; follow the linked authorities for later changes.

What the old CUC photographs actually show

CUC meant the Cuban convertible peso; CUP meant the Cuban peso. Our earlier article tried to make the distinction visible with photographs of coins and banknotes. The labelled images remain useful as a record of that travel period.

The January 2016 rate quoted in the original cannot tell a reader what money will be worth now. Nor should the old instructions about spending CUC or converting leftovers at departure be followed as present arrangements.

Current Canadian government guidance identifies the Cuban peso, CUP, as the currency. The historical CUC pictures here are not a shopping list for a new trip. 1

Coins labelled CUC in the family’s historical Cuban-currency image.
The old CUC coins illustrated in our 2016 post. The former CUC-based instructions are not current spending advice.Image: Love travelling family

The airport lesson we remembered

We wrote that we exchanged the trip’s money at the airport and later found we were seventy CUC short. That is our reported experience from the earlier journey; it does not establish what happened at every exchange desk or prove a general practice.

The practical lesson we took away was to check the calculation, count the notes and keep the receipt before leaving. In the original stay, casa hosts could also help us understand where the authorised exchange offices were and how queues worked then.

Those old queues and locations are not a current service guide. Ask about the authorised options actually operating during your stay, and do not accept an old blog’s rate as the rate you should receive.

Current planning note: checked 18 October 2026

The UK FCDO’s current money guidance says international Visa and Mastercard payments are no longer accepted in Cuba, and withdrawals using international cards are unavailable. It advises cash sufficient for the stay and emergencies. Do not rely on the card advice in an older travel post. 2

Confirm currencies, payment methods and settlement terms directly with accommodation and service providers. Cash and Cuban prepaid options are not interchangeable guarantees: the Canadian guidance warns that access to prepaid funds can be limited or unavailable. Use authorised exchange providers and keep documentation. 1

The FCDO also currently advises against all but essential travel, citing shortages and disruption. Read the live advice for your nationality, check insurance and confirm whether the journey and essential services are feasible before arranging a visit. 3

Cuban peso banknotes labelled CUP in the original currency photograph.
CUP notes photographed for the old article. The image belongs to that earlier visit and does not establish today’s exchange rate or available denominations.Image: Love travelling family

Keep the lesson, not the old conversion

Agreeing a price includes agreeing which currency it is in, how it is payable and what is included. A written confirmation is more useful than assuming that a familiar symbol means the same arrangement everywhere.

We have not supplied a live exchange rate or a method for informal street exchange. The Cuba transport journal follows the same approach: it preserves the earlier experience while keeping historical prices separate from a journey someone is planning now.

Good to know

A couple of useful questions

Should I get CUC for a current trip?

No. The CUC photographs describe the former system. Current official travel guidance identifies CUP and explains the payment restrictions that must be checked before travel. 1

Can I rely on an international card as my backup?

The FCDO guidance checked on 18 October 2026 says international Visa/Mastercard payments and international-card ATM withdrawals are unavailable. Check the live source and confirm arrangements before travel. 2

Is the old airport exchange rate reproduced as today’s rate?

No. No current exchange rate is quoted here. Historical rates and surcharges have been kept out of the current planning section.

Sources and useful links

For more context and practical details:

Images and accounts are preserved from our original archive; the note above explains their context. Sources and planning links were checked on 18 October 2026.