BANDEC Tarjeta Tropical USD: New Card at Fonmoney for Cuba
Since the discontinuation of the Tarjeta Clásica in June 2026, many families have been looking for a reliable way to send money to Cuba. The BANDEC Tarjeta Tropical USD (BIN 9240) has become one of the most widely used options – anonymous, flexible, and in real US dollars. Fonmoney supports loading this card directly from abroad.
What is the Tarjeta Tropical USD?
The Tarjeta Tropical is an anonymous prepaid card issued by Banco de Crédito y Comercio (BANDEC). It was introduced in 2024 in response to changing conditions in Cuban payments infrastructure and has quickly gained popularity. In Cuba, the blue card is known by several nicknames: "tarjeta del coco", "la azul", or "tarjeta de la playa".
The key feature: the balance is stored in real US dollars – not in MLC or CUP. This means what you load stays as USD on the card, regardless of state exchange rates.
- Issuance fee: 4 USD (often with 1 USD starting credit, so 5 USD upon purchase)
- Minimum load: 50 USD on initial issuance
- Validity: 5 years
- Loadable foreign currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CHF, MXN, DOP, NOK, JPY, DKK
- No load limit
- Refund on departure: up to 100 USD of remaining balance
Who can use the Tropical card?
The card is intentionally open to all. The following groups can acquire and use it:
- Cuban citizens residing in Cuba
- Cubans living abroad
- Foreign tourists and visitors
- Legal entities
Because the card is anonymous and not personalized, it can easily be shared with family members – the PIN serves as the only security factor. No identity verification is required when making purchases.
Tarjeta Tropical USD vs. MLC Card: The Key Difference
Many wonder what sets the Tropical card apart from the better-known MLC card. The differences are substantial:
| Feature | Tarjeta Tropical USD | MLC Card (BANDEC Debit) |
|---|---|---|
| Card type | Prepaid, anonymous | Debit card, personalized |
| Bank account required? | No | Yes (with BANDEC) |
| Stored currency | Real US dollars (USD) | MLC (digital currency) |
| Who can use it? | Anyone, including tourists | Only Cuba residents only |
| Advantage | Real USD stored, independent of MLC system | Standard bank card with account link |
| Disadvantage | No protection on loss (anonymous) | MLC has no physical USD backing |
The core advantage of the Tropical card: the balance consists of real dollars – not MLC, which often cannot be converted to physical cash. Many cardholders report that the MLC rate is state-controlled and differs significantly from market prices.
How to Load the Tropical Card from Abroad
Via Fonmoney, you load the BANDEC Tarjeta Tropical USD quickly and directly from abroad. The balance is credited in USD – without detours via MLC or other intermediate currencies.
Here's how the load works:
- Visit product page: BANDEC Tarjeta Tropical USD at Fonmoney
- Enter amount and choose payment method
- Provide recipient's card information
- Complete transaction – balance is credited
Find all details on money transfers to Cuba on our Cuba transfers overview page. A general comparison of available banking products can be found in the article Money transfer to Cuba: Which bank is right for you?.
Where and for what can the card be used in Cuba?
The Tarjeta Tropical USD is accepted nationwide – at POS terminals in stores that accept USD, MLC, or CUP. Specifically, cardholders can use it to pay at:
- Retail stores and supermarkets
- Wholesale markets
- Gas stations
- Pharmacies
- Duty-free shops
- Online shops
Tax and customs payments are also possible with the card. Via the apps Transfermóvil, EnZona, and Kiosco BANDEC, cardholders can check balances, initiate payments, and transfer funds between Tropical cards.
Background: Why the Tropical Card Matters Now
In early June 2026, all Visa and Mastercard transactions via FINCIMEX were discontinued. This affected the Tarjeta Clásica and AIS service, which Fonmoney subsequently removed from its offerings. The Tarjeta Tropical USD is issued by BANDEC – a different banking group from FINCIMEX – and was not directly affected by this development.
For anyone who previously used the Tarjeta Clásica, migration to the Tropical card or MLC card is recommended. Read more in our article on BANDEC Cuba: Banking info and transfers and on the Cuba transfers overview page.
For questions about the process, find answers on our How does money transfer to Cuba work page.
All information on fees, minimum amounts, and product availability is current as of June 2026. Changes by BANDEC or regulatory requirements are possible. Please check current terms directly on the product page.
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