Cuba in August from UK?

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Santero

Hi there

Do not take US$ as theres a very high exchange rate.
Euro will be fine (And its worth more than US$ on the blackmarket too). You can change it into CUC (Cuban Peso Convertible) in any bank or hotel.
You can also change Traveller Cheques (in Euro or SwissFrancs but NOT in US$).
Getting cash with credit cards is really expensive though.

Some Cubans accept Euros, because they don't trust in their national money, but thats just exeptions (and often they charge you CUC to EUR 1:1 that makes it a bad deal). Normally you go to a bank and change your money into CUC (hope that cleared it).

Joy

I have been to Cuba and they do not accept American dollars, they will not even accept credit cards if the credit card company is owned by Americans

Only the Cubans use pesos......visitors have to use convertible pesos

Havanalover

PLEASE don't take US dollar, you will pay a 10% charge above the commercial exchange commission.
Take Euro , Pound Sterling or Canadian dollar.
Exchange only in banks or state owened exchange offices
called CADECA.
read more at:
http://www.havana-guide.com/moneyinhavana.html

cubalishus

Do not take American dollars to Cuba, if you can find someone to exchange them for you it will cost you dearly, you just take Sterling with you and exchange it for Cuban Pesos at your hotels bank, you don't get ripped off.

Beardo

If you are going to one of the tourist areas, take euros. Otherwise, take euros or pounds and change to CUC.

Any country can choose to accept what currency it likes. From 1993 to 2005, Cuba accepted US dollars. Parts of Cuba now accept euros.

thinkingtime

DONT take the advice to "Wave a dollar". If you use black market or on the street dealers you may well find yourself cheated, or, worse, in a Cuban police station having your rights read.

Take pounds or euros to change at the resort or UK travellers cheques.

brian c

dont bother with u.s. dollars

take euros or Â£Â£Â£Â£

take your card and go to a cash point machine

you are going to cuba ........... not mars : )

Richard K

Do not take U. S. dollars you will be penalized at least 10% when you go to change them into CUC Convertible Pesos the curency used by tourists. About three years ago during one of the many disagreements over the U. S. embargo of Cuba Castro decided they were no longer acceptable. You can change your Euros or Sterling into CUC either at the airport when you arrive or at your resort. Check the sites below for the approximate rate and more information.

penelope_pitstop

Do not take American dollars - take sterling pounds - they do not accept American dollars - and they charge an extra 10 % on top of normal exchange rates to change into convertible cuban pesos.

I don't know who advised you to take American dollars but they are wrong. Believe me i am married to a Cuban and also live in the UK - i have friends who frequently travel out there and sterling is best.

Enjoy your trip.

Tropicales

If you do take US dollars, you can exchange them there but you will get at least a 10% charge for that. So itÂ´s best that you use Euros, Sterling, or CAD instead. You can only change your money there either at the airport or the resort youÂ´re staying at (and of course at banks). And be sure to convert your money back before coming home as CUC have no value outside of Cuba. So only change your money as you need (and not all at once) so you donÂ´t lose in the exchange. Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted but as long as they are not from any US financial institution.
And Americans can actually go to Cuba (with permission).

Check the links for information to keep on hand.

**they can accept Euros because Euros are widely accepted and Cuba has dealings with Europe. You can't pay for things in Euros...but they will exchange Euros to CUC for use (CUP is only for the Cuban citizens and not for tourists). It's just because of the US embargo that they will not accept US dollars anymore (since 2005). Look at the third link.

*****What is confusing you? Don't worry about taking US...don't convert your Euros or Sterlings to US dollars. Just take your Sterlings (or Euros if you like) to Cuba and just exchange your money there to CUC (Cuban convertible pesos).
Like I said, you cannot USE Euros, Sterling, or CAD in Cuba...you can only use CUC for any purchases, etc....but you can EXCHANGE your Euros, Sterlings into CUCU (Cuban money that only tourists use). Cuba accepts those currencies to exchange into CUC WITHOUT CHARGE. Only US money gets charged in conversion...that's why it is not worth taking US funds because you will lose more in the exchange. It's that simple.

Don't worry about the black market, etc. That information is only confusing you more. You won't be doing any of that in Cuba. ********

If you're going on holiday and staying at a resort there is nothing that will confuse you there. Cuba is always full of tourists from the UK and there is nothing confusing or complicated about travels there.

Just read the links I have included...they are not confusing...I've included another link at the bottom specifically for Cuba travel from the UK.
These links are designed for travellers to guide them about what to bring with them.
If you keep worrying, you're only stressing yourself out more about it.
The advice given here by most of us is all from experience. They are trustworthy answers for you.

As well, I'll copy and paste from one of the links for you:

"Money:

The currency in Cuba at present is the Cuban Convertible Peso or CUC. This currency is only available in Cuba. The theoretical value of the CUC is linked on a fixed basis with 1.08 USD for 1 CUC. The CUC is obtained by changing foreign currency at official exchange booths called CADECA, bank outlets and hotel receptions. For most currencies an exchange commission is charged of 8 %. For exchanging the USD there is an exchange commision with penalty of 18 %.
It is possible to pay in shops and hotels with credit cards of VISA and Euro-Mastercard if they are not issued by American banks. The value on the sales voucher is in USD, not in CUC as it is not an international currency. The commission is 11.35 % : there is 8 % in value difference between the usd and the cuc and the rest (3,35 %) is commission.
We recommend to bring cash euros to Cuba or a visa or master-card credit card (not issued by an American bank). "

Buen viaje.

JennJenn

Please do not take US dollars as you will be given a hard time.
Please bring Euros and have them exchanged for CUCs at your hotel or for a better rate, at the airport (if you have time when you land).
As others have said, do not try to pay in Euros as it is worthless to them because they can not exchange them.

Also, Cubans have a hard time using the CUCs, they have their own currency and CUCs are used for tourists only. Instead of leaving them monetary tips, many prefer recieving things that they can use (such as, pantyhose, shampoo and conditionner, toothbrushes and toothpaste, hair clips, school supplies, gum, gently used clothing, gently used shoes).

Cuba has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Have a great trip!

marius l

.Go with EURO and don't worry.

CaliNurse

American dollars are accepted in the black market, which is usually where you can buy all the good stuff anyway. You will get more for your money in US dollars than you will ever get in Cuban pesos because despite the embargo, the Cubans purchase the items they truly want with American dollars provided by their families or tourists. The Cuban peso is pretty much worthless outside of Cuba, and the vendors and government know this. Watch out when you check in through their customs, and don't be surprised if they confiscate a few of your personal items (that you will either forfeit, or can buy with American dollars). The person that said they visited and that dollars were not accepted did not wave a dollar in the first place. Take a peso and take a dollar and see which one gets you noticed.

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