Buying Cuban Pesos

A question for those with information about visiting Cuba.

How do Americans who visit Cuba pay their expenses and get cash for daily use? Reportedly American issued debit and credit cards aren't accepted by ATMs and may not be accepted by hotels or restaurants. But an American wouldn't want the use of a credit card in Cuba on the record anyway.

US dollars can be exchanged, but there is a 10% penalty, which is pretty steep.

Canadian dollars apparently are accepted everywhere and may be worth more than the discounted US dollar.

Can Canadian dollars be purchased in the DR? If so, does anybody know what the price to buy is? (Not what you get if you exchange CAD for pesos, but what you pay if buying CAD in the Dominican Republic.)

What about exchanging Dominican pesos in Cuba? The conversion websites quote an exchange rate, but I am wondering if it can be done in practice and if the rate is what the conversion websites say it is. What I am really asking is if it is better to exchange dollars for pesos in the DR and the pesos for cuban pesos in Cuba, rather than exchange dollars for pesos in Cuba even though there is a 10% penalty?

Thanks, MizCreant. I have dollars but was trying to avoid the 10% penalty levied on dollars when they are exchanged in Cuba for pesos. Am wondering if there is a way to avoid that, ending up with more purchasing power than if I change dollars in Cuba.

Thanks, Mu?ecote, good suggestion. I have read that the Cubans like Euros.

jrzyguy, they may like dollars, but they charge a 10% if you use them.

Thanks to all who have written since my last post. The information is very helpful.