How Much Money Should You Bring to Cuba?

One of the biggest questions when planning a trip to Cuba is: How much cash should I bring?

The short answer? $1000.

Yes, that might sound like a lot—whether you're staying for three days or a week—but here’s the thing: if you don’t use it, you can just take it back home. No need to even exchange it, since almost every place you visit will happily accept U.S. dollars.

Why? After Cuba’s 2019 economic reforms, the local currency (Cuban Peso, CUP) lost significant value, and the U.S. dollar once again became a major player in the country’s economy.

Why You Should Always Bring Extra Cash

From personal experience, I can tell you—running out of money in a foreign country is the worst. But in Cuba? It’s even trickier.

🚨 If your debit or credit cards are from the U.S., ATMs won’t work.
🆘 Your only backup option? Seeking help at your embassy—a time-consuming and stressful process.

So here’s the golden rule:

💡 Always bring more than you think you’ll need. If you fall in love with Cuba (which you probably will) and want to extend your trip, book more experiences, or upgrade your plans, you’ll be covered. And if you don’t spend it all? No problem—you can take it right back home.

Avoid This Common Tourist Mistake

A lot of our clients who book our experiences realize too late that Cuba is more expensive than they expected. After just 48 hours, they’re already keeping an eye on every dollar, limiting their experiences because they didn’t plan for unexpected costs.

How to Avoid This?

✅ Book as many services as possible online—hotels, tours, transportation—so you can save cash for spontaneous expenses.
✅ Support local entrepreneurs by pre-booking experiences like our photoshoots, which directly benefit Cuban small businesses.
✅ Keep a cash buffer for the unexpected—because Cuba is full of surprises!

Want to Discover the Best Local Hotspots?

Cuba is unlike any other place you’ve been to. That’s what makes it so fascinating—but also a bit challenging when it comes to planning.

📸 If you want to make the most of your trip, check out our Traveler’s Guide! It’s packed with hidden photo spots, must-visit bars, and the best places to connect with locals. Trust me, you’ll want this in your pocket.

Final Thoughts

Cuba’s cash-only system can be inconvenient, but if you plan ahead and bring more money than you think you’ll need, you’ll thank yourself later.

Got questions? Drop them in the comments, and I’d be happy to help! 🇨🇺💸