Originally Posted by
VidaNaPraia
You can get only CUC at the cadecas, at least until the currency change happens.
(Gov't has said that they are returning to a one currency system, the CUP, but has not given a specific date. Speculation has it that this will be after Raul steps down, supposedly soon.)
You can ask for change in CUP when you shop using CUC.
CUC small coins also work for purchases that are cheap.
CUC and CUP are currently interchangeable, but not everyplace may have change (coins and bills) to give you in both currencies. For example, a restaurant that sells soup for 70 cents of 1 CUP may not have change for CUC. A tourist shop that sells items for CUC may not have a lot CUP to give in change, possibly just the sellers personal daily money.
Aha, thanks, that clears up some confusion. It does bring up another question: on my way out of the country, I’d like to convert any unused currency back to CAD. Can I change CUP, or only CUC, for CAD? (I will be flying out of Varadero, so also not sure if VRA is as well equipped to do currency exchange as HAV).
Re: the food issue, I’ve been traveling/living in emerging markets for 30+ years, so my stomach and I are quite used to local food in all its forms
Generally what’s good enough for the local population is good enough for me.