The Cuban National Peso (CUP) or Moneda Nacional or in English Nacional Money.

The Cuban Peso is used mainly by the Cubans to buy fruits and vegetables in the markets, a pizza on the street, for city bus fares, and to pay the gas, telephone and electricity bills. Most wages are paid in Cuban Peso’s.

There are banknotes of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos, coins come in 1 centavo, 2 centavos, 5 centavos, 20 centavos, 1 peso and 3 pesos.

1 Convertible Peso = approximately 22 Cuban pesos

You can acquire ‘Pesos Convertibles’ at the airport, banks, various hotel lobbies and at the money exchange offices, called “CADECA” (you can find these offices everywhere in the country). You can also get Cuban National Pesos (CUP) in the CADECA or at any local bank.

All Cuban money is only valid inside Cuba, importation and exportation is not allowed.

In tourist facilities and other service units, prices are set in Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC). In Varadero, Cayo Largo del Sur, Jardines del Rey (Coco and Guillermo Keys), Santa Lucía and Covarrubias Beaches as well as in the province Holguín (tourist resorts on the northern coastline), Euros will mostly be accepted.

Most likely you will find yourself in a situation where you are asked to pay in CUC for products priced in Moneda Nacional so be careful what you pay with!