"Money, Money, Money" Cuba Local Custom Tip by JessieLang

Cuba has two currencies--One for Cubans and one for foreigners. Visitors have to change their currency to convertible pesos (CUC) and there is a 13% fee for changing it. (I don't know if the 13% fee applies to other currencies or just U.S. dollars.) There is supposed to be a small fee to change the CUC back into dollars, but I don't know the details--I didn't have any to change back. Nobody takes dollars, and Credit cards issued by U.S. banks can't be used in Cuba. Most hotels will exchange your money into CUC.

One CUC is worth about 25 of the regular pesos that most Cubans are paid with. They can also use CUCs if they can get them. Some stores take only pesos; others, only CUC. The CUC stores have nicer stuff.

NOTE: You may see someone holding up a U.S. dollar bill. They are hoping you will exchange it for a CUC because they can’t use the dollar. (And when you tip people, tip in CUCs so they can spend it!)