Spending Money
Everyone has their own spending habits, so it’s important to budget according to your preferences. Plan for optional expenses such as additional meals, drinks, shopping, laundry, and activities not included in the tour. To avoid surprises, make sure you’ve thoroughly reviewed the itinerary and inclusions, so you know what’s covered and what you may need to pay for during the trip.
Cuba Currency & Cash
The official currency in Cuba is the Cuban Peso (CUP), also known as Moneda Nacional (M.N.). This is the only legal currency in Cuba, and it’s important to use your CUP before leaving the country, as it’s illegal to remove currency from Cuba. While CUP is required for local transactions, EUR and USD are widely accepted in many private establishments, but exchange rates vary significantly between official banks and private vendors.
We recommend bringing EUR or USD in small denominations (5, 10, and 20 notes) and waiting to exchange money until you meet your tour leader, who can guide you on the best exchange options. Official exchange houses, known as CADECAs, are available in major cities and large hotels, though they can be unreliable and may offer less favorable rates. Other currencies, such as GBP or CAD, can also be exchanged in Cuba, though it’s generally easier to exchange EUR or USD prior to departure for a more predictable rate.
Accessing Funds in Cuba
We strongly recommend bringing enough cash to last your entire stay in Cuba, as ATMs can be unreliable and may not accept foreign cards, especially those linked to U.S.-based banks (including Travelex, Westpac, and Citibank). Cash withdrawals from ATMs incur a 3% fee, and cards issued by U.S. banks are not accepted at all. For large or emergency expenses, having a debit or credit card as a backup may be useful, but don’t rely on it for everyday purchases. In some cases taking money from ATM machines may not be possible at all. Do not rely on your bank or credit cards.
Meals Not Included
For meals that aren’t covered in the itinerary, we suggest budgeting EUR 40-60 per day to ensure you have flexibility in dining choices.
Tipping
Tipping is a significant part of Cuban culture and tourism, as government-set wages are low. If you’re satisfied with the service, we encourage tipping where appropriate. Hold on to small notes and coins for easier tipping. Tips are generally given to restaurant servers, guesthouse hosts, guides, drivers, and other service providers. We recommend tipping your tour leader directly if you feel they provided exceptional service. As a guideline, EUR 2-4 per person, per day is common for group leaders, though this is entirely at your discretion.
In general, we suggest budgeting around EUR 10-15 per day for tipping across various services.
Contingency Funds
Unforeseen events can sometimes require itinerary changes or additional expenses, especially in cases of severe weather, natural disasters, or transport strikes. While we plan for every eventuality, it’s wise to have access to a contingency fund of approximately USD 500 for emergencies or itinerary adjustments. Having this buffer ensures that you’re prepared for any unexpected situations that may arise during the trip.
Commissions
We understand that commissions from recommended shops or services are common in the tourism industry. To manage this transparently, any contributions from recommended suppliers go into a centralized fund, which we reinvest in the business to ensure quality service. This helps maintain the standard you expect on our trips. While we strive to recommend the best local products and experiences, we encourage you to share your feedback to help us continuously improve.
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