Cuba Atm Machines and Travel Money

Cuba ATM machines can be a bit tricky to navigate, especially if you're not familiar with the local currency, the Cuban peso (CUP).

In Cuba, there are two types of ATM machines: those that dispense local currency, CUP, and those that dispense foreign currency, CUC.

To get cash from an ATM in Cuba, you'll need a debit or credit card that's linked to a foreign bank account.

Be prepared for a 3-5% commission fee when withdrawing cash from an ATM in Cuba.

You can find ATM machines at major airports, hotels, and in some tourist areas, but they're not as common as you might expect.

Related reading: What Currency Does Cuba Use

A debit card is the way to go in Cuba, as you shouldn't have any problem using it to withdraw cash from a bank.

Mastercard and Visa will typically work for over-the-counter cash withdrawals, but be aware that some card brands won't work at all. Credit cards originating in the United States won't work in Cuba.

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It's essential to spread your funds across a couple of different types of travel money options. This is why you should take as much cash as you can with you to Cuba and use a debit card when you need more money.

If you're using a prepaid travel card, look for one that waives currency conversion fees, such as Travelex. These cards can be beneficial, but they charge a couple of dollars for international ATM withdrawal in Cuba.

For prepaid travel cards, consider the back-end fees, exchange rate, and if you want to manage an extra account. Some cards may charge higher fees than others, so it's crucial to research before making a decision.

Here are some card types to consider:

In Cuba, credit cards are not as widely accepted as debit cards. Visa and Mastercard have low acceptance rates, while American Express and Discover are not accepted at all.

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Cuba is primarily a cash-only country, so it's essential to bring enough money to cover your trip.

You have several options for spending money in Cuba, including traveler's checks, but these may incur fees.

Traveler's checks are an option, but they're not the most convenient choice, and you should be aware of the potential fees associated with them.

If you're planning to exchange US dollars, be prepared for a 13% fee, which is a significant chunk of your money.

Taking euros instead of US dollars can save you from this fee, and other currencies like euros don't incur this fee.

You can also use credit, debit cards, or pre-paid travel cards to pay for transactions in grocery stores or withdraw money from ATMs, but only if they were not issued by an American bank or one of their subsidiaries.

American Express, for example, does not work in Cuba, so it's best to avoid using it.

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Occasionally, you may be required to pay by card for things like the hop-on and hop-off bus in Havana.

Cuba has made significant progress in accepting foreign cards, with ATMs now accepting almost all cards, with the exception of those issued by US banks.

This is a relatively recent development, with the first ATMs becoming available about 10 years ago and Mastercards being accepted in 2017.

Nowadays, you can use almost all cards to withdraw cash from ATMs, except those issued by US banks.

You can find ATMs in Cuba, but be aware that they're not always reliable. There are ATMs mainly located in bigger cities or towns like Havana, Trinidad, Varadero, and Cienfuegos.

It's a good idea to head towards the main street, bank, or tourist area if you need to find an ATM, and you can ask at local hotels and homestays for directions if you have trouble locating one.

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Be prepared for a potentially long wait, as ATMs can run out of money or experience connection failures. Some days, ATMs may not work at all, so it's a matter of luck.

The Cuban government enforces a strict exchange rate, which means you'll likely lose money in the conversion process. Banks also charge a small commission fee when you withdraw cash from an ATM.

You can withdraw CUP, but it's not recommended to take large sums of money out of ATMs in Cuba. This is because the conversion rate is unfavorable, and you'll lose money.

It's also worth noting that some ATMs may not work with US bank cards due to the embargo. In fact, almost all cards issued by US banks are blocked by Cuban banks because they won't be able to recover the money.

If you do need to withdraw cash, try to do it in the morning, as lines can be huge at all hours if the ATMs have bills to dispense. Be prepared for a long wait, and don't be surprised if the ATMs run out of money or experience connection failures.

The first ATMs became available in Cuba about 10 years ago, but they initially only worked with VISA credit and debit cards issued by non-US banks. It wasn't until 2017 that Mastercards were accepted, and a few months later, almost all cards started working.

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