Cuban Peso · $ · Official currency of Cuba
The Cuban peso ($) traces back to the 19th-century Spanish colonial era. For many years, a dual system operated a convertible peso (CUC) for tourists alongside the regular peso for locals, until a 2021 currency unification reform merged them into one.
Various denominations circulate, including 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos, featuring Cuban independence heroes and figures related to the revolution.
Even after the 2021 currency unification, foreign currency like US dollars or euros is often still useful in practice, and international sanctions mean most foreign cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) generally don't work in Cuba. It's important to bring enough cash before visiting, and exchanging at the airport or an official CADECA exchange bureau is the safer route. Given how often the rate shifts amid inflation, it's worth checking the latest information right before you go.
You can view the real banknote designs on the Banco Central de Cuba's official page.
See Cuban Peso banknotes at today's exchange rate →