Technical article
Paying for Daily Life in Cuba as an American
A friend told them cards stop working the moment you land in Cuba.
Picture a couple named Frank and Dolores. Both are 64. A friend told them cards stop working the moment you land in Cuba. Another friend said they work fine. They want to know how they would pay for a week of meals, taxis and a room.
I read two official US pages. They do not say the same thing, so I show both.
What the two pages say about cards
| Page | What it says |
|---|---|
| US State Department, Cuba travel page (last updated 27 May 2025) | "U.S. credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba." |
| US Treasury OFAC, FAQ 738 (released 8 November 2017) | "Authorized travelers in Cuba are permitted to use credit or debit cards issued by a U.S. financial institution" |
OFAC adds in FAQ 739 that its rules do not require a bank or card company to accept such charges. So a bank may still decline them. I cannot tell from these pages which one matches what happens at a Cuban shop today, and I do not pick.
Cash
The State Department page says to bring US dollars or euros and exchange them for Cuban pesos (CUP) at authorized banks. It says getting US dollar cash there is "nearly impossible through official channels." It also says Cuba asks travelers to declare cash above the equivalent of US$5,000 (the page writes "$5,000") and allows up to the same amount to leave the country.
What the US rules allow you to spend on
OFAC FAQ 717 (released 26 October 2020) says "There is no specific dollar limit on authorized expenses." Living costs and goods for personal use are covered. Lodging on the Prohibited Accommodations List is not. OFAC FAQ 737 says authorized travelers may open and keep a bank account in Cuba to reach funds while they are there.
One date matters. OFAC pages updated on 29 September 2026 say that from 30 September 2026, indirect dealings with entities on the Cuba Restricted List are prohibited. That includes a US bank passing along a card payment to such a shop. We are waiting to see how banks apply this in practice.
The bigger question first
The State Department page says US law prohibits travel for tourist activities. Only trips under 12 OFAC categories are allowed, or trips with a specific license. The regulation itself (31 CFR 515.560) says nothing in it "authorizes transactions in connection with tourist travel to Cuba." So the question of how to pay comes after the question of whether a trip fits a category.
What is left open
- Prices of meals, rent or taxis from an official Cuban source.
- Exchange rates from the Cuban Central Bank.
- Any residence route for Americans.
- Rules on cash machines. The OFAC page I read was cut off before that part.
You could…
- Ask your card company whether it will process charges in Cuba.
- Check which of the 12 categories applies to your trip.
- Ask a lawyer who works with Americans on Cuba rules to confirm.
If one page says your card works and the other says it does not, how much cash would feel right to carry?
Figures are estimates for planning, based on public data. Date read: 10 October 2026.
Sources
- US State Department, Cuba travel page, travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cuba.html
- US Treasury OFAC, Cuba Sanctions FAQs, ofac.treasury.gov/faqs/topic/1541
- 31 CFR 515.560 and 515.584, ecfr.gov
Tell us in the comments