This is one mode of transportation where we always felt bad for the poor guy who had to cycle our big butts around in 35-degree heat! Another option is to just show up at each city and look around without booking ahead. In 1994, theconvertible pesowas introduced at a par with the dollar but on November 8, 2004, the Cuban government withdrew the US dollar from circulation. Thanks, Ruth. Pro tip: In addition to tipping in Cuba as a token of your gratitude, Cubans also love when tourists speak Spanish with them. 27 Things to Know Before You Visit Cuba - y Travel Blog As of the time of this articles release, one of these Cuban convertible pesos is roughly equivalent to one U.S. dollar. I loved all of the gardens and architecture. From the airport in Havana to Central Havana, the cost is $25 for a taxi. We received ongoing professional service from our tour read more, Dolores Roxan CollinsUpper Marlboro, Maryland, The people are so friendly, hard-working, interesting, and welcoming. The US dollar became the currency used to purchase some non-essential goods and services, such ascosmetics, and even non-staple kinds of food and drink. How Much Does It Cost to Travel in Cuba? - Never Ending Voyage US dollars can be exchanged in banks and used in private businesses, but theyre not accepted in state-run places. Put down the cigars and step out of the vintage cars! We were sad that so many beautiful buildings are crumbling and in disrepair. If you are planning to stay in Cuba for more than 30 days, you will need to extend your coverage before you can extend your visa. Our daily average in Cuba was $100/day for two people. Nov 11, 2022 3 min read What currencies are accepted and where? This will probably change many things and also the way to pay in Cuba and the currencyavailable for business and travel purposes. Dont waste time purchasing a non-refundable MLC tourist card unless you have a very good reason to do so. What Are The Costs? Unfortunately, there is also a 10% levy on USD at the cardecas, so you should exchange your USD to Canadian Dollar, Euro, Great British Pound or another major internationally traded currency before you enter Cuba. Generally, you should consider tipping costs while planning your travel budget for Cuba. I enjoyed speaking with a Cuban real estate agent, and the read more. - USD 8: 1 hour of very slow internet . At all-inclusive resorts, 1 USD for every few drinks is the most common. And as for me? I always ask who is cleaning the room and on which day, because the same person dont always work for the whole week. Some drivers accept euros or Canadian dollars but it depends. Travelers often have questions about the visa process for Cuba and whether US citizens can even visit. There are some costs involved with using ATMs in Cuba. Cuba Travel Guide - Using Money & Local Currency in Cuba - Anywhere My husband and I are traveling to Havana next month and staying in an Airbnb. We also rented a motorbike in Viales. Here are the foreign currencies accepted in Cuba: If you are traveling to Cuba from the US, you will be glad to know that US dollars are very sought by Cuban residents because of therecent spikeof the US dollars in the informal market. people are very nice respectful and friendly, Cuba is very safe, even safer than the US. Of course, this will depend entirely on your travel-style and how much you like to splurge on fancy meals, nice hotels, and expensive tours. Scuba Diving in Colombia: Here's Why It's Perfect, Tipping in the USA: A Guide to Doing It Right. These days, you can book casas on Airbnb. At a nicer restaurant or bar, cocktails and beer are often similar in pricing, $2 $3 each. And recently, also in US dollars. The cost of a 1.5L bottle should be $0.70, however, most shops charge tourists $1.50. Apparently in Cuba it's pay as you go. I found the experience quite enlightening. If you stop to enjoy some tunes, its only polite to leave a tipespecially if you request a song! Food is one of those things in Cuba that can vary greatly in price. Currently, American debit and credit cards dont work in Cuba. Cuba has a strong tipping culture, an interesting fact about Cuba. Small private businesses display prices in pesos. I leave these in addition to the cash. Cubans much prefer $US as they are worth much more than their Peso. These places charge commissions of around 3% (4% on weekends) for cashing traveler's checks. Contrary to belief, the food in Cuba is pretty good! Exchange houses, known as CADECAs, in Havana, including the airport, provide this service. Store clerks: round up to the nearest whole dollar. Rachel, our tour guide, was absolutely perfect. Remember that some restaurants may automatically tack on a 5% gratuity. As we said, you can tip in Cuba in Canadian dollars or any other currency accepted on the island. What You Should Know About Doing Business With Cuba - American Express They later exchange them with travelers or at the exchange office in the hotel. The people read more, People were so friendly and giving. Some places already accept US dollars but the CUC is still the most used currency and the best way to pay in Cuba. Cuba has tons of exciting restaurants to choose from. The Cost of Travel in Cuba: A 2023 Budget Breakdown Are you one of the 65M visitors to the NYC area this year? Youll find a CADECA at the airport in Havana, or click here to find one in Havana on Google Maps. Cuba requires all U.S. airlines departing the United States to pay for health insurance for each passenger. CUC is pegged equally to the US dollar, while youll get around 25 CUP for 1 CUC. In big cities like, Tipping Parking Valets in Cuba (Parqueadores), Cuban Tourist Card (a.k.a Cuban Tourist Visa), The Cubans: Ordinary Lives in Extraordinary Times, Support for the Cuban People: The Complete Guide for US Travelers (2023), 37 Mind-Blowing Facts About Cuba for Travelers (And Kids! Situated on the Caribbean coast of southern-central Cuba, Cienfuegos is a compellingplace to visit. Here are five ways to save money on your next trips using the latest in travel apps. Hotel staff includes maids, bartenders, receptionists, and bellboys. In Havana, very old classic cars run up and down various streets, on a set route. And there are two types of MLC cards. Dariece is a co-founder of Goats On The Road, and an expert in saving money, finance management, building an online business and of course travel. There are many ways to visit Cuba. The Cuban people are friendly, helpful and read more, After four days in Havana, I found the city to be beautiful and historically significant. Brendan Sainsbury's top tips on Cuban currency Salvador Aznar / Shutterstock. Who do you tip in Cuba? At the end, youll enjoy an authentic local lunch. What currency should I bring to Cuba? In total, I ended up averaging $70 a day on food and activities with this cash. I loved our tour guide Otto Sanchez. Its an option, not a requirement. What money can buy in Havana, Cuba | Backpack Me Bottled water is what you need to watch out for. This currency is what most of thelocal people are paid their salary in. In just a few minutes, you learned everything you need to know about tipping in Cuba and how much to tip in Cuba. I had read elsewhere that Cubans can only exchange bills. Hi Claudia, Tips are not only a big part of the income of the service staff at Cuban hotels and restaurants, but they are also a universally understood way of saying, thanks for the awesome service!. Renting a car in Cuba isnt easy, so chances are youll rely on taxis, classic cars for hire, and buses to get around the island. Liked learning about the read more. It was not the first time that I took down summer tops and they were glad for them. Now when it comes to travel insurance, apparently residents of Puerto Rico cant get insurance on RoamRight. Does one pay per message? Cruising Cuba: Credit cards and changing currency in Cuba - How to pay So youll always know accurate costs and pay the same price as Cubans. Cuba taxi prices are quite high compared to other modes of transportation and although taxis have meters in them, they wont be turned on. 1. The last thing you want to do is head to Cuba with an American debit card that wont work in the ATM, and a bunch of US dollars that will cost you 10% in currency exchange fees! Some state-run businesses also accept euros. The cost of transport varies with each city, and with all of the transport options I list below, make sure the price is per vehicle, not per person. What currencies are accepted and where? Generally, the hotel staff accepts toonies and loonies. As far as I remember when I booked online a few years back you will receive a confirmation email from Viazul with a booking reference. Cool, crowded January or quiet but stormy September? Cuba now has one official currency: the Cuban peso (CUP$). If you make a withdrawal the2.99% foreign exchange administration fee is calculatedfor every transaction abroad. Travel money Cuba 2023: How to pay & how much to bring In Cuba, there is an extensive network of grocery stores that sell products in MLC not otherwise available to Cubans. Regular tourists Viazul buses, which are more comfortable, slightly more reliable, and much more expensive. If I tip $5 for every drink Ill be out of cash by the end of the first day! If youre still new to Spanish or a little rusty since your last Spanish class, bring a handy guidebook like Cuban Spanish 101: Bilingual Dictionary and Phrasebook for Spanish Learners and Travelers to Cuba. Cubans are resilient, beautiful, friendly. Loved each of the scheduled activities, and our very knowledgeable tour guides, as well as the visit with Professor N read more, Cuba is beautiful and its people are friendly and helpful. Some people will earn a higher amount depending on the service they offer. Pavel truly made our trip very enjoyable. To go between cities, tourists basically have two choices: 1. Its best to have your accommodation sorted out ahead of time unless youre prepared to wait in queue for internet. Were talking about Toronto today, aka Hollywood North. Book a trip and keep an an eye out for for movies stars, Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard, and Drake. Explore. Please see ourPrivacy Pagefor more information. 25 National Pesos (CUP) = 1 Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC), 1 Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) = 1 US Dollar. Our friends from Goats on the Road share their top 9 things you shouldnt miss on a trip to Camagey. Every time the people and culture are AWESOME! Some sample costs: Cycle Taxi:$1 $3 (depending on your bargaining abilities). How to Pay when Traveling Abroad: 10 Steps (with Pictures) @Julie Menghini,To write a beautiful post it is very important to write a beautiful container and have prepared a very good design and I got a lot of inspiration from your post and I would also like to post like you in my life. Agenda perfect. What is the Cuban Currency? Cuba is a mix of old and new, a beautiful place and so much history! However, you can refill them and use them to withdraw Cuban pesos from Cuban bank machines. You would need to copy that email that to your friend in Cuba. Travelers can bring any type of currency to the island and exchange it for pesos once you arrive, though most travelers choose to bring dollars or Euros. by Sarah Carter | Published May 18, 2022 - Updated May 23, 2023 Buses are often full, or the online booking system on Viazul doesn't work all the time. Plan the perfect trip to Puerto Rico with these things to know before you go. Those items are certainly appreciated in Cuba! Selling your USDs to Cuban individuals, especially if they own a private business, may even be an activity that qualifies for the Support for the Cuban People license. Casas are affordable, comfortable and you will enjoy a more local stay while in the country. Carry plenty of small bills for tips. I guess if they got 100 soaps, they would sell some. Help Me, LP! What currency should I use in Cuba? - USD 5: 1 minute of telephone connection to Europe, from hotel's phone. Some of this seems to be in line with the past and and now younger Millennial and Gen Z current American / Canadian obsession with tipping and over tipping, Hello, Soak it up, travel how you want to, and enjoy one of the most memorable places on Earth. Lobster/fish with sides at a restaurant: $8-$10, Fish, pork or chicken meal at casa (too much food to finish): $7 $10, Fresh fruit juice: 1 2p ($0.04 $0.08). What is a Casa Particular? We suggest a minimum of $100 USD per day. Coins are more complicated to exchange for Cubans, they first need to exchange it for the banknotes from the same country.