One of the most impressive developments in Cuba at the end of 2020, and which will have a great impact, not only for the Cuban people, but also for foreign tourists, is the Monetary Rearrangement, translated into currency unification in Cuba and in the standardization of the exchange rate for the Cuban peso.
As of January 1, 2021, the Convertible Peso (CUC) has been withdrawn from circulation, gradually and within a period of 180 days (6 months) from the monetary and exchange unification. Thus, only one currency will circulate: the Cuban Peso (CUP), at an exchange rate of 24 pesos to 1 dollar.
The monetary unification in Cuba is a strategic and necessary measure to cope with the current Cuban economic situation. There is an almost general shortage of basic necessities; further increased by the impact of Covid-19 on the island .
Currency duality in Cuba since the 1990s
How will it affect foreign visitors?
Now the good news is that you will no longer have the need to exchange money . Cubans have begun to offer their services and products in dollars, euros or sterling. It is more convenient for them to collect the “hard coin”. This will allow them to travel, buy goods abroad and in turn pay for products, household appliances, etc. That is, we recommend not changing money to Cuban pesos, although later if you want or need to do so, you only have to go to a Cadeca exchange office.
On the other hand, 72 markets in Cuba were converted into stores in MLC (freely convertible currency), that is: you can only buy in them with a magnetic card in dollars, either you are a Cuban or a foreigner.
Services in paladares, cafes, taxis, accommodation in private homes, interprovincial state transport, markets, etc. can now be paid directly in dollars or euros. The currency that will circulate in Cuba as of January 1 will be, officially, the Cuban peso, but it will share the stage with these other currencies that come from abroad.
What implications will monetary unification have on the Cuban economy?
Unification implies, of course, a reestablishment of the monetary, exchange, tax, price, wage, subsidy and other income system of citizens. The main measures which have been adopted are:
- The country's minimum wage will be 2,100 pesos per month. Income is transformed and wages are increased, as company and retail prices rise as a result of the devaluation. Only then will people be able to assume the new prices.
- The pensions granted by the General Social Security Scheme are increased, which will amount to 1,733 pesos (currently those in the range of 446 to 500 pesos).
- Excessive subsidies and undue gratuities are eliminated.
- There will be a basket of goods and services with a value of 1,528 CUP: 799 for food, which satisfies 2,100 kilocalories per day (minimum consumption) and 729 CUP for the rest of the goods and services (electricity, medicines, transportation, etc.).
- The prices of public, sea and land transport are modified.
- Export is stimulated and imports decrease, since when exporting 24 pesos are returned for every dollar, while each import dollar is equivalent to 24 pesos.
- The creation of micro, small and medium companies is authorized, both in the state and private sectors, to favor business management and productive chains.
An important change for the country
The President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez affirmed that abusive or speculative prices will not be allowed, although the task is not without risks, one of the main ones being higher inflation, exacerbated by the current supply deficit .
Diaz-Canel also reiterated the transcendence and importance of this arrangement, which will place the country in better conditions to carry out the transformations required by updating the country's economic and social model.
So, if you are thinking of organizing a trip to Cuba, whether it is with your familiy, with your group of friends or with your classmates, with your couple or even in your honey moon, on your own or in one of our tailor made trips, which we do our best to organize in our especialized travel agency, keep following our tips to travel to Cuba without complications and to know the evolution of the situation of Covid-19 in Cuba. We recommend some of our organized tours , and, if possible, spend at least 10 days in Cuba, so as not to miss the essentials, and above all, we recommend that you let yourself be carried away by our tips to live the authentic Cuban culture. Now you can also pay in euros, dollars or in CUP, one less complication!
Article written by Gabriela Rodríguez, independent Cuban guide. 0
