currency in cuba

[huntlyn]

what is the best currency to take to cuba? has anybody been there recently as we are going in three weeks and we have been told not to take US dollars anybody help please

[dot.hawkes]

we took sterling travellers cheques and US dollars for tips at the airport, the cuban money is useless outside of the country. Take some old designer/sports label gear like T shirts or baseball caps and u can barter them as exchange for souvenirs, the Cubans can't get the branded clothing there as there is a trade embargo or something with the US. Also, buy insect repellant there as the european ones are useless. There will be canadians there flashing dollars anyway, the waiters all take dollar tips.

[radiogaga]

all i know is america and cuba arent getting on..so no dollars.
if you take dollars you will be charged an additional 10 per cent i know there are two curriencies in cuba one for the tourists and one for natives. this maybe is to differenciate as tourists are charged more.
acceptible notes are euros british pounds and the canadian dollar

[dot.hawkes]

well the waiters definately took US dollars of us!!!!!!!!! They seemed quite happy about it!! And the rep at the hotel took dollars off us for the catamaran trip too.

[BBWCHATT]

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g147270-Cub a-Vacations.html

[BBWCHATT]

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g147270-c595 48/Cuba:Caribbean:Tipping.Gifts.And.Money.html

Says:
The Exit Tax is $25 CUC per person (even children) so remember to save this and budget for it.

Any info indicating taking USD to Cuba must be from before November of 2004.

Since then Castro decided that the currency of choice used in the tourist industry would be the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). They had already started this conversion in October (04).

The Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) was revalued in April of 2005 at 8% higher than the USD (use this for exchange purposes only) So ... with an extra 10% "penalty" for exchanging USD in Cuba plus the 8% for revaluation, you would be losing 18% on exchange which has effectively restricted the use of the USD in Cuba.

Euros and pounds, CDN are fine, bring cash and exchange at the airport in Cuba, at your hotel (small comission) or at a bank/money exchange (bring your passport if drawing money from a credit card). Count your money at the counter and get a receipt. You can not purchase CUC outside of Cuba.

Travellers Cheques are fine (no USA afiliation) but ... you still have to line up to get money at the bank or exchange counter. If lost or stolen ... they will not be replaced until you return home from your trip. ATM's ... very few and infrequently filled ... debit cards do not work (except from UK with Visa logo on it) and the ATM's only accept Visa CCs The following diagram shows how to fill out the Cuban Tourist Visa Card Two sides Entery/Exit You can left click and save so it can be enlarged if needed.

[huntlyn]

thank-you all for your answers to my question they were very helpful. We are away on the 15th so were sorted now thanks