I'm visiting cuba and was wondering should I take Cuba Pesos (CUP) ($1 CAN= 23 Pesos) or should I take Cuba Convertible Pesos (CUC) ($1 CAN= 0.8 Pesos) or a combination of both? Which is more accepted there and/or is better to use??
2006-11-18 18:55:38 · 8 answers · asked by Butter 3 in Travel ➔ Caribbean ➔ Cuba
As a foreigner you are obliged to use CUC. Its like a monetary apartheid! So you will end up paying more for everything, which I suppose is fair enough in a way considering the average Cuban's wage. You can change a bit into CUP when you are there and there are a limited number of places you can use it at - such as pizza stands (buying from people's living room windows) and the ice cream parlour down near the Malecon whose name I forget (but don't miss it!). If your Spanish is good chatting people up might help a bit but mostly the use of CUC is non-negotiable. Its a shame, CUC have much uglier notes too. US Dollar used to be accepted widely but are now not AT ALL. Enjoy Cuba though...!
2006-11-18 21:10:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
EUROS. Dollars are subject to 20% exchange fee; they are no longer accepted in Cuba as easily as before. Also, CUC (cucos) are best bought there. Avoid travelers checks as they can only be changed in casas de cambio (which have worse work-hours than banks). Also, ATMs from US banks do not work. Debit/Credit cards from other countries will give you only CUC's back, and usually have a minimun withdrawal amount of at least 100 USD -sometimes 500 ... (plus, I found out, charge 10% conversion fees : your bank account at home is charged 110 instead of 100 when you withdraw that amount in USD, if 500 USD you'll be charged 550 PLUS the usual fee for using another bank's machines). Cuban pesos are usually accepted from anyone, but if you are obviously a tourist, chances are you will be told to pay in CUCs or USD/Euros. Best to take Euros and change them. IN ANY CASE: TAKE CASH, as much as you think you'll need. Credit cards are not usually a good idea (your credit card number will eventually be stolen as fraud is rampant) since only 4* hotels take them. Robbery, out-right, is very rare. You are more likely to be scammed than mugged. -L
2006-11-19 09:12:31 · answer #2 · answered by liforlando 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If I'm not wrong the US dollar is the preferred currency. Ask in a travel agency or do some online research. P.S. Really envy you. I've always wanted to go to Cuba.
2006-11-19 03:02:18 · answer #3 · answered by Brenda B 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The one wich is better at the moment is the Euro. I just recently went to Cuba, and yes they prefer the Euro out of everything else, and so it is better for the cubans and your self to get the Euro currency
2006-11-19 20:45:56 · answer #4 · answered by kia_the_lovely_elven_warrior 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Cuba pesos is best of course,
2006-11-19 03:03:19 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Cubans like US dollars. The next best thing is Canadian
2006-11-19 05:31:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
the solid US greenback will go further if u know how to haggle
2006-11-19 03:03:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
US dollar they take them anywhere
2006-11-19 04:50:17 · answer #8 · answered by Dick 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋