Cuba, what currency?

[DaveI]

We're going to Cuba on Friday and have had conflicting advice on what currency to take, the tour operator said do not take US currency or American Express Travellers Cheques. When we went to the Post Office they said to take US dollars!

So has anyone been to Cuba lately and what currency did you take, we've read Euros, Sterling, Euro Travellers cheques and are a tad confused!

[swedishskoda]

...the tour operator said do not take US currency or American Express Travellers Cheques

Seems to be correct from what I've found and heard from people going there. But Euro should be OK, and Visa cards are accepted. Tourists are expected to pay in "pesos convertibles" (Tourist pesos, CUC) but the further you come from Havana, at local markets &c, you may need the local peso (Moneda nacional, CUP). There are exchange offices, "Casa de Cambio" here and there.

[westerdam2]

This UK guide seems to have all the info on what to do before you go and when you're there.

Cuba: Money Exchange - TripAdvisor

Enjoy

[Diving Dave]

I went to Cuba last year - US dollars no good, very very few places take credit/debit cards and there is a very high service charge if you do find somewhere that wil take it..

Take cash (UK pounds are fine) and only exchange for CUC (convertible Cuban Pesos) at your hotel. The exchange rate is fixed daily by the government and is the same everywhere.

DO NOT buy local currency, it's worth nothing and only the locals use it when they have to.

If you are going with a tour firm (we went with Virgin) they will let you pay for any trips you do in sterling.

Don't change more money than you need - it's a closed currency so you can't take it out of Cuba.

Make sure you have your visa before you go and remember to save some CUC's for the departure tax on your way home.

Enjoy your trip - what part of Cuba are you going to?

I think you are pretty brave going in the middle of the hurricane season.

[DaveI]

Thanks for the replies, I can't believe the Post Office is giving such bad advice!

We're going to Varadero, it's our honeymoon as we were married Sunday last week

[sheep_go_baa]

Many congratulations.

We went to Cuba last year for our honeymoon.

Definitely take sterling with you. Your hotel wiill be able to exchange these for you at the reception desk.

Hope you have a lovely time - try and see some of the country

[Diving Dave]

Varadero is close to where we stayed (Jibacoa) it's a bit touristy with lots of big hotels so take a chance to get out and see some other places, The river trip is good and you have to do a trip to Havana although avoid the full day one with the night club in the evening - it's a very long day (18hours) and definitely don't do it on the last day. If you get pestered by beggars tell them to go away and they do.

Take a USA style plug adapter with you for any electrical stuff - you can't buy them there and also make sure take asprin/paracetemol/ibuprofen, seasick and dihorea pills with you, shouldn't need them but difficult to get if you do and also batteries. Leave them behind when you come home - they will be much appreciated

Congratulations and enjoy the honeymoon - it was ours too (although we had been married 29 years)

[ap0gee1978]

Congratulations!

Last conversation I had (pre-Credit Crunch, admittedly) regarding non-native currency was to take Euros, due to the low value of the Dollar at the time. But this was for 'unofficial' transactions, where the foreign currency was taken directly, at an arbitrary exchange rate. But there's no point in changing Pounds to Euros, only to change them to Pesos...