USD or CAD in Cuba: Which choice for more pesos?
- Passion Varadero
- Mar 13
- 1 min read
Taux de change (13 mars 2025)
1 CAD = 0.694 USD (banque)
1 CAD = 200 CUP (parallel market Cuba)
1 USD = 320 CUP (Cuba parallel market)
Table 1: Conversion of $100 USD and $100 CAD into CUP
Initial amount | Cost in CAD (bank) | CUP (parallel market) | |
100 USD | 100 $ | 144.04 $ | 32,000 UPC |
100 CAD | 100 $ | - | 20,000 UPC |
Key point: 100 USD gives 32,000 UPC, but costs 144.04 CAD. 100 CAD yields only 20,000 UPC.
Table 2: USD vs CAD advantage (purchase of 100 USD)
Currency used | Cost in CAD | UPC obtained | Difference in UPC |
144 CAD direct | 144 $ | 28,800 UPC | - |
100 USD (144 CAD) | 144 $ | 32,000 UPC | +3,200 UPC |
Key point: paying 144 CAD for 100 USD gives 3,200 UPC more than 144 CAD exchanged directly.
Table 3: Example invoice (4,576 UPC)
Currency | Official price | Real cost (parallel market) | Economy |
UPC | 4,576 UPC | - | - |
CAD | 48.17 $ | 22.88 $ (4 576 ÷ 200) | 25.29 $ |
USD | 35.20 $ | 14.30 $ (4 576 ÷ 320) | 20.90 $ |
Key point: With USD, the bill drops to $14.30 from $35.20. With CAD, it drops to $22.88 from $48.17.
Main advantage
USD > CAD in Cuba: 1 USD = 320 CUP vs 1 CAD = 200 CUP.
Even if you pay the bank rate (144 CAD for 100 USD), you earn +3,200 CUP.
For travelers or families, the savings are significant.
Why USD?
Best rate on the Cuban parallel market.
Convenient for tips (1 USD bills).
Conclusion: Change into USD before you leave to maximize your Cuban pesos!
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