Going to Cuba for the first time and went to the bank to get CUC this morning. They said they don't convert, what currency do people bring with them? I know in Mexico we can get away with US or Peso and much prefer the later. Thanks!

Bring canadian. You can only get CUC in cuba, at the hotel or the airport. If you exchange US its an auto 10% penalty, so youll get .87 to the dollar, even though its 1:1. I was there a couple of weeks ago and the hotel rate was ~.68 for CAD conversion.

Buy your CUC in Cuba at the hotel or airport, and calculate only the amount that you will need. It is not with anything when you leave the country. When we were there two years ago the CUC is only to be used by tourists and is was illegal for Cuban citizens to have that currency as they have their own currency. Check the lonely planet for info. Loved Cuba!

Good tips. However, it is not illegal for Cubans to carry CuC. I am Cuban, and dollars (of any country) were allowed to be used by Cubans in 1993.
When exchanging Canadian dollars you wanna do it at the bank. You may exchange some at the airport to have some pocket money but banks will have better rates than front desk at hotels or houses of change(CADECA) particularly Bank of Credit and Commerce.(BANDEC). Depending of the province/area In the island you may find this bank or not. It's sad that our Canadian dollar is so weak right now. We lose a lot of money on the exchange!!!

Go to the cuban bank and they'll give you ~.72 (that what we've got couple weeks ago ) and don't tip with loonies and toonies .

why not?

I'm guessin the response will be it's a hassle for them to go and convert. Tipping is tipping, do as you feel, as long as you DO tip when receiving good service.

Coins cant be converted, so its useless to them

We brought Canadian. Most merchants took our Canadian money. I paid 5 dollars for a purse. However the staff at the hotels like cuc. We had no issues exchanging our Canadian to cuc. They convert to usd then into cuc. There are no bank machines and the Internet is so poor they have a hard time running cards. Bring Canadian and a few usd you'll be fine.

Exchange it over there most place you stay at will do it for you. Do not tip in Canadian dollar as it very hard for them to get it exchanged.

It's often a good idea to bring things to tip with ( instead of or in addition to the Cuban tourist money) especially for hotel/ housekeeping staff. Locals have limited access to stores that sell more than basic necessities. Little things like makeup samples, shampoos, lotions, soaps, tampons, chocolates/ candies, baby necessities (children's Tylenol), toys (balls, hot wheels, etc

She's very right ... In the market in Veradero we were able to trade any of our clothing for trinkets ... Take lots of spare stuff

Just got back this week. Took Canadian, you can exchange at airport, hotels, and banks. Get some small coins for washrooms if you go out about.
And a big bag of candy. Makes the hotel staff smile..goodies to leave the maids

Yes make sure you have small coins or bills CUCs for when you need to go to the bathroom off the resort. FYI Most places off resort will not have toilet seats and you'll need to hover. They'll have someone standing there when you enter selling you toilet paper. This even happens in the airports, but there were toilet seats at the airport. I always make sure to have a small thing of Kleenex in my purse because you'll need it or end up spending about a dollar for a few squares of TP.

How did you use your card for tipping ?

i always bring canadian with me and just exchange as needed at the hotel. I use my credit card for large purchases like excusions etc...

Take your Canuck money ... Exchange at the departure gate booths when you arrive and when you depart

Why would you want to take US to Cuba? You are losing twice on the exchange and they are Cubans not Americans.

use credit card to book excursions and take canadian cash. remember that the exchange rate is very poor so make sure you have enought. tip in cuc. they cant exchange cad $

Take Canadian cash to covert to CUCs.

Tip on US dollars, buy excursions on credit cards

Don't exchange your money at the hotel!! I just went in Oct & paid different exchange rates at the airport, vs the hotel vs. The bank.
Go to the bank & exchange it there. Before leaving you can do a straight across exchange with the waiters for Canadian money. Remember duty free requires Cuba money - FYI - duty free is the same dollar amount as in town.
Bring little Kleenex pkg with you as most public bathrooms don't have tissue. Hopefully this helped - the food was great as were the people! Have fun!

Bring CDN, exchange at bank if able. If not able to get to bank the hotels usually have a spot to do it. Last year when I was there it was not often they brought up US currency as an accepted method. They usually only take CUC. The banks will not give you the local currency anyways so that is a non concern. Enjoy!

A short trip to the bank will get you the best exchange rate.. If I remember correctly you cannot exchange CUC to CAD once you get back so spend it all our save for your next trip..

But be careful ,..it's illegal to take cuban money out of Cuba

You can get money converted at hotel or banks once you are there and need $25.00 when you leave Cuba

me and my wife were in cayo coco cuba in october we brought canadian money cash they have safes in the rooms was never a prolbem we lost .30 on the doller and you loose a extra .10 if using american money

I was in Cuba this past Feb, we brought Canadian and were able to exchange at our hotel. Many people took Canadian and we didn't have to convert as much.

us dollars needed only

I could sell you 70 CUC, when are you going?