People line up in front of a money exchange office in Havana, Cuba. The Cuban Convertible Peso, introduced last fall, is now valued at $1.08 US.

There are some new twists in the tale of Cuba's currency and exchange rates.

Since last November, visiting foreigners have been required to use the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). The Cuban government tied its value to the American dollar. According to Canadian tour operator Signature Vacations, the recent decline of the U.S. dollar against other world currencies has resulted in the Cuban government putting a value of $1.08 US on the CUC.

This is a double whammy for travellers taking U.S. money to Cuba, because when the CUC was introduced, Cuba also imposed a 10% surcharge on converting American dollars to CUCs. There is no conversion fee if you change Canadian cash or traveller's cheques. Of course, the amount of CUCs you receive will reflect the CUC's new, stronger value.

When I first wrote about the new Cuban currency, I suggested Canadian visitors put everything possible on a credit card. Not any more. Signature says all credit card transactions are now surcharged 11.24%, regardless of the card holder's nationality.

What about using a Cuban ATM? Signature says you can use your credit card to withdraw CUCs from an ATM, but you'll be charged the 11.24% and credit card interest is charged from the day of withdrawal.

Signature's recommendation is to take Canadian cash or traveller's cheques and change them for CUCs at hotels, most of which charge "very modest service fees."

Travellers are also reminded that:

- Credit cards and traveller's cheques issued by American financial institutions and the American Express credit card are not accepted in Cuba.

- You can't buy CUCs in Canada before you go, nor exchange them once you get home. Signature suggests hanging onto transaction receipts in case you end up with CUCs and want to change them at the airport on departure.

- Cubans use another type of peso. The banknotes look quite different, and do not say "convertible." A "local" peso is worth about 5 cents, but Signature says some enterprising Cubans are selling them to visitors for one convertible peso. Who says capitalism is dead down there!

More leisure travel news:

- Air Transat has added three new European destinations, Hamburg, Germany, and Lyons and Toulouse, France. Flights from Toronto start this month.

- Signature Vacations has introduced comprehensive insurance designed for the last-minute traveller. Signature says removing trip-cancellation protection from policies saves $78 per person, based on the average cost of a Signature Vacation. Visit signaturevacations.com.

- Tourism Australia and Qantas have extended the deadline to buy the popular Aussie Air Pass to Aug. 31. The pass includes round-trip economy travel from Toronto or Vancouver plus three additional domestic flights in Australia at prices starting at $1,599 from Toronto. The pass must be ticketed by Aug. 31, and travel must be completed by Dec. 14. Visit australia.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-346-5218.

- Air Canada Vacations has added non-stop flights from Toronto to St. Lucia and Punta Cana to its summer sun program.

- The Burgess Shale, one of the richest and most important fossil sites in the world, is open to hikers. The site is in Yoho National Park, 20 minutes south of Lake Louise.

June 1 through Sept. 30, Lake Louise Inn is offering guests a Stay and Hike package starting at $158 per person. That includes overnight accommodation, a full-day guided hike of the Burgess Shale and Mount Stephen Fossil Bed, lunch and return transfer to the hotel. Call 1-800-661-9237 or visit lakelouiseinn.com.