Chapter 2: Cuban Currency

The most pressing thing we needed to do after docking, was to change our money to Cuban currency. Sounds simple enough, but it was not. The tricky part is they have a double economy. We did a lot of research prior to going to Cuba, so we knew that we needed to exchange our money in the US to Euros or Canadian dollars. US dollars are taxed 10% for exchange. When we left US it was the best for us to exchange to Canadian dollars. It also worked out when we were planning to return home the exchange was also better for Canadian. You then need to convert the money you bring into "their tourist" currency of convertible pesos.Or CUC's, which people call "kooks". One of their convertible pesos is equal to one of our dollars. The Cuban people currency Are Cuban Pesos. 25 pesos are equal to 1 CUC. We were warned to watch the change we were given, as many people will try to give you their money as change. We never had that happen, but we would try to give exact money or watched the money very carefully. We learned the difference.Cuban Pesos: Convertible Pesos: To exchange to their money initially you need to go to the bank or a Cadeca. The ironic thing is you can not buy a bus ticket to get to the bank until you have the CUC's. Lucky for us they had a Cadeca in the resort area we were in & from what we read and observed the line was not a problem like other areas. I read locals will cut in front of you in line. I had that happen to me at the bus station, that will be in the next chapter! We just needed to wait for the one person to reopen after their 90 min lunch break. It was a little uncomfortable conducting your business outside through a barred window.Now that we are back, I need to exchange our Pretty Canadian Money back to US dollars. Too much exchanging for me!! There are also different stories that it is illegal to take Cuban Pesos and Cuban Convertibles (Paper money) out of the country. If you do take it home with you,no banks will exchange it for you outside of Cuba.So we exchanged it all!