If you are planning to travel to Cuba or are currently visiting, please be aware of a critical change affecting how you can access and spend your funds. Effective June 6, 2026, Visa and Mastercard credit cards are no longer accepted for payments within Cuba.
This disruption stems from a recent decision by the foreign bank responsible for processing Visa and Mastercard transactions in Cuba to terminate its relationship with the Cuban entity FINCIMEX S.A.. This move is a direct consequence of U.S. Executive Order No. 14404, issued on May 1st, which has made it illegal and impossible for the foreign bank to continue these agreements. As a result, Cuba is currently unable to process income from goods and services through these international card networks.
For the foreseeable future, travellers should expect that Visa and Mastercard credit cards will not function for any of the following:
1) Retail purchases
2) Restaurant and hotel payments
3) Point-of-sale (POS) transactions
4) ATM cash withdrawals
This restriction applies to both personal and business credit cards and is expected to remain in place indefinitely, as there is currently no confirmed timeline for when services might resume.
While Visa and Mastercard services are suspended, the Central Bank of Cuba has confirmed that other established payment methods for foreign currency transactions remain available. These include:
1) Cash
2) 100% Cuban prepaid cards: Specifically, the "Clásica" and "Tropical" cards.
3) Point-of-sale (POS) transactions: Specifically, Mir and UnionPay.
1) Prepare Before You Leave: If you are travelling in the coming weeks or months, ensure you have sufficient access to the alternative payment methods listed above that do not rely on the Visa or Mastercard networks.
2) If You Are Already in Cuba: If you are currently experiencing declined transactions, this service interruption is the likely cause. We recommend switching to the accepted cash or alternative card options mentioned above.
3) Stay Informed: Travel advisories and financial restrictions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, please contact us.
