I am going to Cuba on holiday in two weeks - what is the best currency / credit card to take?

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cubalishus

Hi Jimmybob I take it your British, if so you can take sterling with you to Cuba, we were there ourselves in April this year, all the hotels in Cuba have banks/currency exchanges were you just change your sterling for Cuban Pesos as often as you need to, you can't take Cuban money with you so that's why you just take Sterling instead, you cannot use American dollars at all, you can also use Master card/Visa card at the currency exchanges too, not sure that the rate is on the cards for using them there though, we went for 2 weeks and only took Â£500 with us and brought Â£150 of that back and we did 2 trips and bought tons of stuff too, dirt cheap in Cuba, can I also recommend that you take every toiletry conceivable with you too, they are really expensive in Cuba and that's if you can buy them, take antihistamines too, don't forget your suncream and after sun as those are so expensive there, take mossie spray and spray your legs from the knees downwards every night before you go out, we had no probs with mossies but with sand flies, mossie spray stops the beggars getting you, its a fantastic place, the Cubans are wonderful people and will do anything for you, have a fantastic holiday, though in Cuba you will, good luck.

FilmFreak

US Dollars and MasterCard. They're not too keen on American Express as they aren't too friendly with the Americans... Have a nice holiday!

mark

Don't know about the credit card - but US dollars are usually good pretty much anywhere.

lilmisshelpful

I've never been to a place in Cuba where you can use a credit card so I'd bring cash... Preferably US dollars as most places only accept US dollars or Cuban money... Granted, you can exchange money but you're likely to get ripped off so I'd reccomend exchanging before you leave for Cuba. Have fun!

jbland1@btinternet.com

To begin with I'll repeat some of the other advice you've had in that U S dollars are the preferred currency and MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. In addition you might consider returning with some good quality cigars (within you allowance of course) these can be sold at a premium when you return and it might help offset the cost of your trip. They must the best and it is useful to do a bit of research and see if you can find a buyer, some good hotels or restaurants might make you an offer.

Kallick

Probably Canadian. I work somewhere that sometimes sends cheques to Cubans. They request it in Canadian currency.

Bob M

US dollars. Always US dollars. Make sure they are fresh and with the latest serial numbers. People in communist countries are very paranoid about counterfeits and will only accept dollars with the latest serial number. You are going to have fun. I am jealous.

monicker

Hi, went in November last year & itwas fabulous! Took sterling & had no problem changing it for Cuban pesos at the airport. They also use the convertible dollar so have a look at this rough guide section for more info: http://travel.roughguides.com/roughguides.html
Have fun & do try eating at a privately run paladares.. scrumptious!

I. B. Zoxx

Read this article - U.S. dollars are no longer acceptable and have to be exchanged for the Cuban 'Peso Convertibe' upon your arrival, and they change 10% for conversion. Euros and Canadian dollars are preferred.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/30/world/main658417.shtml

Sparky

The currency of Cuba is the Cuban Peso. But, like all holidays, take some cash, some travellers cheques & cards if yoiu have them. In the event of things missing or stolen, card transations can be traced & funds recovered, so can travellers cheques. cash is almost imossible to prove you had in the first place, so take some & change more along the way.

Chuglon

I'm sure they love American currency so traveler's checks would probably work...someone who's been there will have to answer. Just don't spend too much, you'll be helping support a communist nation...

Bob the Boat

Hi>
US dollars every time.
But keep your eyes on them.
Bob.

ea_villeneuve

US $ - When I went I exchanged money and they never would take their currency from me, they all wanted $. Have fun, it is a beautiful country.

shoe s

american dollars is what they want dont use credit cards if you are an american, i only the hotels take them

dawn

We went to Cuba last year and took Canadian money. The will exchange US currency but they will charge a higher rate and I heard eventually they will not allow any US money in Cuba.

phoenixcookiemonster

Take US Dollars cash and Traveller's Cheques, that's what the advice is generally for Cuba. Try to use cash where possible, even though the US has embargos still on Cuba, the Cubans like to think they've got US currency.

msdeville96

call me silly but I would maybe not go to a communist country for a vacation....I think if I took anything it would be the phone number, address and directions to your home country's embassy!

bill w

Thanks for helping to support the dictator Fidel. The people of Cuba feel so much better in their chains and poverty seeing you rich foreigners frolicking on the beach.

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