There are two currency systems in the country. One is for locals: pesos nationales and the other is primarily for foreigners: CUCs or convertible pesos. A CUC is valued equivalent to the USD (although exchange rate for the USD is discounted for political reasons but not for other currencies). The exchange rate is 24 pesos nationales for one CUC. An average dinner entree at a CUC non-luxury restaurant may run 3-7 CUCs ($3-7). An average dinner at a nationales restaurant may run 5-30 pesos ($.20-$1.20). Now, the food in either of these choices is not much to write home about so we generally ate at peso national restaurants.
It wasn't always obvious which were CUC restaurants versus nationales establishments. Alisa asked a local and even he said that only way he knew is that he lived in the town. Because they call both CUCs and nationales pesos, it is often confusing.
We had breakfast at a CUC restaurant and pizza dinner at a peso restaurant.
Generally, buses, taxis, etc. that cater to foreigners charge in CUCs. As we were walking to the bus station to arrange transportation from Santiago to Bayamo, a bici-taxi driver offered to take us back to the town center for 3 pesos. It was very hot and long walk back so we welcomed the offer. He let Alisa pedal the taxi. When we paid him 3 pesos in CUCs, he was so surprised and pleased. We thought we had a great deal but he had been asking 3 pesos nationales (12 cents).
Santiago is very proud of its place in the country's revolutionary history. This building, which is currently a school, with its bullet holes is a scene of major turning-point battle.
The ubiquitous vintage cars...the people are very proud that they repair everything. This is not throw-away society.
It wasn't always obvious which were CUC restaurants versus nationales establishments. Alisa asked a local and even he said that only way he knew is that he lived in the town. Because they call both CUCs and nationales pesos, it is often confusing.
We had breakfast at a CUC restaurant and pizza dinner at a peso restaurant.
Generally, buses, taxis, etc. that cater to foreigners charge in CUCs. As we were walking to the bus station to arrange transportation from Santiago to Bayamo, a bici-taxi driver offered to take us back to the town center for 3 pesos. It was very hot and long walk back so we welcomed the offer. He let Alisa pedal the taxi. When we paid him 3 pesos in CUCs, he was so surprised and pleased. We thought we had a great deal but he had been asking 3 pesos nationales (12 cents).
The architecture is so impressive. The streets are amazing clean with no litter.
The fresh bread smells so good.
The ubiquitous vintage cars...the people are very proud that they repair everything. This is not throw-away society.
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