Cuba, can you help, I'm so confused,dollars or not, Havana or not?

Question

Please can any1 help I'm so confused I've had so many mixed reports I dont know what to do for the best. I've read that cuba wont accept dollars and if you want to change currancy the exchange rate for dollars is very high, but most people I've spoken to say take dollars? also i would love to go to havana but a friend of my fiancee said he went and he hated it he got bothered by the locals, there was nothing to do, nowhere to eat, and nothing to buy. not that i want to buy anything anyway, but I would like to eat, plus i really dont like to be harrased by local people I had a bad experieance in Turkey when i went out on my own i got threatened buy a man selling imitation purfume, kept telling me he could get very nasty if i didnt buy anything from him, it left me a bit gittery and untrusting to say the least. can you help I'm going to cuba in may and I want to be prepared. Thanks Cheryl

Answer 1

FACT: CUBA DOES NOT ACCEPT AMERICAN DOLLARS ANY LONGER !!!!!!

Please, please do your homework, DO NOT believe all these people. Maybe when they went to Cuba, they accepted American Dollars, but no longer. My husband is Cuban and still has family on the island and any money we send them is converted in C.U.C. (the convertible peso.. or more to the point.. Monopoly money as it is useless outside of Cuba) They charge anywhere from 10-20% to exchange dollars to this currency. If at all possible, change any American money into pounds, euros, or Canadian currency before going to Cuba. They do not charge exchange rates on this currency.

As far as staying in Havana, you will have locals that want you to buy from them, just as any other country. There are very poor people in the city and they are trying to make a living in whatever way they can. My husband is from a rural town, we will be going in July. You may have a better time in one of the tourist sections such as Veradero (lovely beach area ), Cayo Coco, etc. I have left some links for you so you can browse at your leisure. But please inform yourself before heading off to Cuba. Have a fun trip.

Answer 2

Hello everybody:
No Cuba doesn't accept dollars any more.They have a convertible money (CUC) that they exchange for any foreign money with a tax apply that is higher on the American dollars (20%). You can't buy anything with your money because they don't accept them on any place.This was implement on 2004 so if some people went to Cuba before that they don't know about the changes.
I'm Cuban living on the USA but my family lives in Cuba so I'm always informed about what's happening there.Also you don't say where are you from but if you are from USA just remember Do not buy any souvenir that says Cuba or made in Cuba because even if you travel with a permit you are not allow to bring anything from Cuba.So make sure you read the labels on the things you're planning to bring back,I have a friend that bought a bottle of Violeta Bebito (a common cologne that we put on babies) and when she arrived over here the customs confiscate it the bottle.
Sorry long post but I hope It helps

Answer 3

The US dollar has not been the currency of choice since 2004 and carries a penalty of 20% on exchange to the Convertible Peso which is actually pegged to the US$. The British pound note is happily accepted in Havana so take a wad. Don't bother with Euros as you'll lose out on two sets of exchange.

Most jineteros will tell you that there are 1,000,000 secret policemen in Havana so it's safe unless you do something really silly like accept their offer of a guided tour of the real Havana. Most of the friendly Cubans who come up to you in the street will ask for a peso within a minute. The old part of Havana - Vieja, is touristy and well policed so you shouldn't get bothered. It gets dodgy where Vieja meets Centro which is the inner city slum area

Answer 4

I was in Cuba this time last year. I stayed at an 'all-inclusive resort' and had no problems at all with the Cuban people, on the contrary I found them to be a very friendly and lovely people. I took £'s and changed them at the hotel with no problem for Cuban Pesos ( the Peso that the tourist uses). Cuba also has 'Convertable Pesos' these are used by the Cubans themselves. I loved Cuba and would really like to go back again. You must always take care of yourself as you would do anywhere in the world. I wish you a very happy and safe holiday!

Answer 5

Just to let you know, I was just there twice - once in Sept, again in Dec.. The best place to change money would be at the airport. They have 2 types of pesos, you will be provided with convertable pesos the type business people have as well as all tourists. They do accept Canadian money, but you will lose out if you change it at the hotel or anywhere else. They do not like American money at all. They will change it , again at the airport and hotels, however, the locals do not want it at all.
As for Havana, your friend is right. There is nothing special about it, it will cost about 70 c.pesos for a day trip, but bring your own t.p.! The food is horrible , so I suggest sticking to food that is prepared in front of you like eggs, pasta. No meat! It's like shoeleather!
If you stick close to your hotel , you can get a nice carraige ride to visit other hotels for the day - but I suggest you stay close by. Bring bugspray!! The mosquitos down there are horrible! They are called 'no see ems' because they catch you off guard and leave you itching for days!!! Depending on when you go, Sept time, there were tons of crabs (huge crabs) just walking throughout the hotel , where as Dec, I did not see a one!
You will have fun though, I'd go back again in a minute!!

Answer 6

I don't think you can get a direct flight from Kingston to Havana. There's no direct connection, except through Grand Cayman or Panama City. Either passport is OK, just ask them not to stamp it. Cuba's great fun, lot's to see and do.

Answer 7

Hi Cheryl I take it your British, if so you take Sterling with you to Cuba, all the hotels have little banks were you can exchange your sterling for Cuban pesos, you can also take your credit card with you as long as its not an American based credit card, we were in Cuba last year and took £500 sterling with us, did 2 trips, bought lots of gifts and cigars and came back with almost £200, you don't get ripped off when you change sterling to Cuban pesos either, Cuba is very cheap, unfortunately we didn't get to Havana but if you book through the rep in the hotel you will be safe as its an escorted trip round Havana though we heard no bad reports of anyone having trouble in Havana or anywhere else for that matter, the Cubans are beautiful freindly people who will do anything for you to make your stay even better, its a very safe place and so beautiful too, I felt very safe walking back to our hotel on my own both during the day and night, the Cubans are very protective and will help you in any way they can, take mossie spray for your legs at nights as sandflies are a bit of a pain in the backside spraying mossie spray from your knees downwards each night stops them, you can also take antiestimeans for a couple of weeks before you go as that helps too, a tip we picked up from well seasoned travellers to Cuba and Avon do a brilliant aftersun with mossie repelent in, take lots of suncream as its very hot and take everything medical and toiletery wise too as its hard to buy them in Cuba and very expensive if you manage it, the beaches and ocean are to die for and amazing, take bread and banana from the hotel restuarant into the sea with you to feed the fish, thats amazing seeing that, have a truly wonderful time, Cuba really is a beautiful friendly safe place.

Answer 8

Cheryl,

I have been to Cuba twice. You may take dollars the cubans love the dollar. You can use your card at any bank and in most hotels, just check what rate you bank charges. They will not accept any cards that have anything to do with the USA.

As for Havana it is the most amazing place, the history architecture is stunning old Havana is a heritage site and is being restored it will take time. So many places to see and things to do. In Havana you rarely get pestered by the locals, the outskirts and smaller towns and villages yes. Never give money to beggars no matter how hard it is. The government is trying to stamp this out. Cuba is a poor country.

My advise is go enjoy yourself and have a wonderful experience the same way we have twice. And will again next year

Answer 9

If you're American, it's illegal to go to Cuba unless you do it as part of an authorized group. If you're flying in through Canada or another country, you can be caught on your return and prosecuted. Too much hassle.

That said, you can usually exchange American dollars on the black market (read that as "street corner") in most countries, but don't get caught.

Cuba is a third-world country, so there's poverty, but it's probably similar to anywhere else. Dress like a businessperson, not like an American tourist, and you're far less likely to be hassled.

Answer 10

Your best bet is any currency outside of American and you'll be fine. I would highly suggest actual money and/or prepaid international credit cards and not things like travelers checks, also if your gonna go truly local you will find few things like credit card machines in the area. Also banks and ATMs will not recognize any type of card issued in the US. There is a "market" for the US dollar but it is illegal, the reason why you'll find so many Cubans who love the US dollar is because of the great exchange they get on it from the "market" but you being American, this rate won't be as great for you, plus you'll have nothing to do with the Cuban money when you get back except look at it. The exchange almost any way is going to suck for you since the US dolloar is soooo low, even converting your money you in a sense lose money, but better to lose money than lose yourself in a jail cell.

With all that said, bring some US dollars for tipping reasons, it's just more valued there, but I def. would not depend on it for major purchases.