Cuba currency: MN, MLC, USD

Cuba currency: MN, MLC, USD — guide for Mexicans

Updated May 2026. By FlightsMX · 9 min read.

Bottom line: Cuba’s official currency is the Cuban peso (CUP); you can pay in cash or by card. Cuba’s official tourism portal lists Visa, Mastercard and others as accepted, but no card issued by a US institution works; ask your Mexican bank whether your card works in Cuba and carry backup cash. Exchange money only at official institutions (CADECA, banks, hotels, airports) at the current rate.

In this guide

1. The 3 currencies in Cuba
2. Mexican cards: what the official source says
3. How much cash to bring (4-7 days calculator)
4. Where to exchange and at what rate
5. What you can’t pay without cash
6. FAQs

The 3 currencies in Cuba

1. MN (Moneda Nacional, Cuban peso CUP)

• Local official Cuban currency
• Used for: public transport, bread, local market, local hairdresser, food at casa particular
• Exchange rate: check the current one on Cuba’s official tourism portal or at CADECA on the day you travel

2. MLC (Moneda Libremente Convertible)

• Virtual Cuban currency at USD parity (1 MLC = 1 USD officially)
• Used for: purchases in state stores “MLC” — supermarkets accepting international cards (rare) or pre-loaded MLC cards
• For Mexican tourist: almost never relevant

3. USD / EUR / MXN cash

• Accepted informally at hotels, tourist restaurants, tourist taxis, casas particulares
• USD is preferred (most), EUR second, MXN at worst rate

Cards: what the official source says

Cuba’s official tourism portal (checked 22 October 2026) lists Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay and other cards as accepted, but states that no card issued by a US institution works in Cuba, and advises checking with your bank. With a Mexican card, ask your bank before travelling and carry backup cash.

How much cash to bring (4 days Havana recommendation)

Bring $US 600-800 cash for 4 days Havana. Mix bills ($20 + $50 + $10 + some $1 for tips).

Cash safety tips

• Bring USD post-2009 (Cuba prefers); pre-2009 some changers reject
• Damaged/marked USD bills: rejected
• Don’t carry all together — separate in 2-3 pockets/places
• Anti-theft belt under clothing for majority of money
• Small cangurero with $US 100-200 for “daily use”
• Hotel safe for the rest
• DON’T declare funds if carrying < $US 10,000 (Banxico limit) — > $US 10,000 declare obligatory in FinCEN 105 at exit/return Mexico

Mexican cards: what the official source says

Cuba’s official tourism portal lists Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, Ocean Card, CABAL and AIS as accepted in Cuba and states that no card issued by a US institution works in Cuba because of US sanctions. It recommends checking with your bank whether your card can be used there.

• Ask your bank before travelling whether your Mexican-issued Visa or Mastercard works in Cuba; the answer depends on the issuer.
• Cards issued by US banks do not work, even if you use them from Mexico.
• Carry backup cash: power and network outages can take card terminals and ATMs offline.

How much cash to bring (4-7 days)

Vacation 4 days Havana (classic Havana)

Total estimate: $US 600-700 (covers casa particular, paladars, taxi, 1 excursion, shopping, reserve).

Vacation 7 days Havana + Viñales + Trinidad

Total: $US 1,200-1,400 (additional days + extra excursions).

Cash tips

• Mix bills: $50 + $20 + $10 + $5 + some $1 — useful for taxis and tips
• DON’T carry all together — separate in 2-3 pockets/places
• Anti-theft belt under clothing for most money
• Small cangurero with $US 100-200 for “daily use”
• Hotel safe for the rest (almost all 3★+ hotels have safe)

Where to exchange and at what rate

According to Cuba’s official tourism portal, foreign currency is exchanged into Cuban pesos (CUP) at airports, banks, hotels, CADECA exchange offices and shopping centres, at the current rate published by the portal and by CADECA’s official site. The portal recommends exchanging only at official institutions. We do not print a fixed rate here because it changes; check it on the day you travel. Street changers in Old Havana are a common source of scams (counterfeit notes, sleight-of-hand counting).

What you can’t pay without cash

Services that ONLY accept USD/EUR cash

• Shared taxis to airport ($US 5-8)
• Tourist city taxis ($US 15-25)
• Casa particular (some accept transfer, but cash is standard)
• Paladares (private restaurants) — cash

Services that accept MN/MLC but also USD/EUR

• Restaurants in hotels (tourist, hotel zone)
• Hotel-organized tours
• Tourist shops (music, Cuban art)
• ETECSA (Cuban telecom for WiFi cards)

Services requiring MN (Cuban peso)

• Public transport (guagua / truck / coco-taxi) — use MN
• Bread at state bakery — MN
• Popular market fruit/vegetable — MN
• Local hairdresser (not hotel) — MN

MLC services (rare for tourist)

• Some state stores like “TRD” — only MLC with MLC card
• For Mexican tourist: practically don’t encounter MLC-required situations

FAQs

Can I use Bitcoin or other crypto in Cuba?

Limitedly. Some paladars and tourist shops accept USDT (Tether) via digital wallet, but NOT mainstream. Cuban telecom is unstable (ETECSA monopoly, expensive internet), making crypto transactions difficult. For tourist: cash better.

How much USD can I bring to Cuba without declaring?

To Cuba (entry): up to $US 5,000 without declaring. >$5,000 declare with form at José Martí airport. To Mexico (return): up to $US 10,000 without declaring (Banxico).

Does Cuban government monitor my informal currency exchange?

Technically yes, but in practice doesn’t pursue tourists. Pursues Cubans systematically exchanging as business. A tourist exchanging $US 100 at casa particular = no problem.

Do I need to tip in MN or USD?

Either works. Common for tourists: tips in USD/EUR (easier for Cuban staff to use — they can exchange at best rate). $US 1-2 per tourist service, $US 5-10 for excellent paladar.

Are there international ATMs (Plus, Cirrus) in Cuba?

ATMs exist, but cards issued by US institutions do not work. With a Mexican card, ask your bank before travelling whether it works in Cuba.

Does my Aeromexico Premier credit card work in Cuba?

It depends on the issuing bank. Cuba’s official tourism portal lists Visa and Mastercard as accepted, except cards issued by US institutions. Ask your bank and carry backup cash.

What if I run out of cash in Cuba?

Limited options:

1. Western Union: closed in Cuba 2020, not available 2026
2. Urgent family transfer: your family in Mexico sends with special Cuban remittance (operators like “Cuba SoyDelivery” or “Ezimerchant”) — slow, $50-100 commission
3. Exchange belongings with other tourists — not recommended
4. Mexican Embassy in Cuba: only emergency
5. Return to Mexico early and bring more: if flight flexible

Do Diners Club, JCB, other cards work?

Better than US Visa/MC, but variable. Don’t be sure of anything — always bring cash.

Sources

• DGM Cuba — Tourist information (May 2026)
• MINTUR Cuba — Tourist policy (May 2026)
• US Treasury OFAC — Cuba Sanctions Program (May 2026)
• SRE Mexico — Consular protection in Cuba (May 2026)
• Banxico — Fund declaration rules (May 2026)
• Central Bank of Cuba — Official exchange rates (May 2026)

Related reading

• Cancún to Havana: flight, visa, Cuba currency
• Sargasso Cancún: best month to avoid
• All-inclusive vs DIY Cancún Punta Cana
• CUN-HAV fares
• MEX-HAV fares

Edited by FlightsMX. Rules and rates change — verify before traveling.