Cuba

[Taz]

Anyone holidayed there ?

Off in a month, so wondering what to do about currency.

Haven't used travellers cheques in years and a bit wary about carrying around a load of cash and converting out there.

 

[Beezerk]

US Dollars mate, they love it.
Been there 3 times, where abouts are you going?

 

[Taz]

US Dollars mate, they love it.
Been there 3 times, where abouts are you going?

thought dollars were to be avoided ?

Havana for 4/5 days and then to some beach resort begining with V !

 

[Beezerk]

thought dollars were to be avoided ?

Havana for 4/5 days and then to some beach resort begining with V !

Lucky bugger, sounds like what we did, 4 days in Havana (Parque Central near Capitol Building, get Mojitos from the rooftop bar from here, the view and drinks are to die for), then 10 days in Varadero (Sandals hotel, can't remember the name).
Havana is awesome, we walked everywhere with no problems at all, just be careful at night and stick to the busier tourist parts and you'll be fine. Honestly I'm seriously jealous, it's one of the best places I've ever visited.
Definitely tip the bar staff and waiters in US Dollars, it was certainly the currency to have when we were there in 2005, can't remember if we had Cuban currency for shops but it's pennies for most stuff, specially in Havana.

Here's the view from the pool

 

[User2021]

Been to Varadero - 100% US $ is what they want

 

[User62651]

Me and Mrs were there in 2003, back then tourists had to use US dollars and didn't have access to the local currency. I believe that changed a few years ago as they were finding their best brains were turning to tour guiding instead of medicine etc as getting US dollars from tourists was worth more to them.

Anyway great 2 weeks, we were along the east end so didn't get to Havana but did see Holguin and Santiago, bit of scrounging round some touristy spots but nothing concerning.

My grandfather was a sugar mill engineer out there and my dad was born there so was some history there for me too.

Really nice destination for a holiday. Lots to see and do, beaches are great, very chilled atmos.

Enjoy the rum and cigars.

 

[Taz]

Must be the trump effect :

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cuba/money

 

[Tashyboy]

Did Varadero 3 or 4 years ago and loved it. We separately booked two nights in Havana staying in the iberostar. It was fantastic, spend a night over at the castle seeing the guns being fired. 👍Do the yank car trip, but be careful. They will try and rip you off. Missis T gave a couple of guy a right bollokin..
There is a golf course at Varadero which was built by the Du point family. I played it and it was quite good. There is a hole called "Tres Islas"/ three islands. In essence it is a par five in which you have to go over water three times. Belting hole. Some of the views are fantastic from the course. The resturaunt there ( Zanadu) is a bit hit and miss. Power cuts are the norm. We had a few grumbles but listening to folk at the airport at least we never run out of Knives and forks.
Brought some cigars back to sell, I couldn't give them away.
Met a guy from London who was about 73 yr old, he was a diamond, he did a piggy back skydive onto the beach. From a Russian plane built about 1850's. Anyway when he came into land he was grinning from ear to ear and landed 10yd from us. The next bloke came in to land and had fainted, his legs were hanging down and they smacked into the floor. Apparantly you have to lift your legs so the instructor can land on his feet. He came around about a minute later and apparantly passed out about three seconds after being pushed outta the plane. He was 6ft six and built like a toilet. His pals on the beach were proper taking the kick.
Fantastic holiday.

 

[SatchFan]

I used to deal in foreign currency and the paragraphs below are straight from Thomas Cook's website.


The standard Cuba currency is the Peso, and unlike other currencies it’s exclusive to Cuba. There are two versions, the Cuban Peso (CUP) for locals, and the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) for visitors. You can only get Convertible Pesos inside Cuba. To stop confusion between the two, currency in Cuba can only be changed at banks and cadecas (currency exchanges) at the airport or in hotels. It’s best to take Pounds to exchange, but watch out as Scottish notes aren’t excepted.

Avoid fake money

Currency in Cuba isn’t traded internationally, so you won’t be able to buy it in advance. Like a lot of countries, forged currency is common in Cuba, so to make sure you don’t end up with some dodgy Pesos, don’t exchange money in anywhere other than at Cadeca currency exchanges, large hotels (often the worst rate) or banks.

Ignore locals who offer better exchange rates or say they have a faster exchange service, as you’ll probably end up with fake notes. Make sure that you get a printed receipt when changing your Cuba currency, and where possible ask for small denomination notes too, as they are easier to use when you’re out. Just remember to bring your passport, as you’ll need it for all currency exchanges.

Credit and debit cards

Cash is king in Cuba and you shouldn’t count on paying for goods or meals with a credit card anywhere in Cuba except for in major hotels. Before you travel, check with your bank that your debit, credit and ATM cards will work in Cuba. If your bank is unable to confirm this, then make sure you bring sterling or euros in cash to change up.

You’ll find it very difficult to find cash machines that accept Cirrus and Switch cards and credit card transactions have local commission charges of approximately 3% added on, as well as your bank transaction charges. Travellers cheques aren’t widely accepted either, and it’s worth remembering that American Express travellers cheques aren’t accepted anywhere in Cuba. Try and avoid exchanging US dollars, as you’ll be subject to a 10% special additional tax/commission.

 

[GMC1981]

Been to Varadero - 100% US $ is what they want

We took the Peso and had no problems whatsoever .

Cuba is an absolutely stunning country . Been twice and even got married there . Best of both worlds . Stunning beach resorts and plenty of culture if that’s your bag.

 

[Beezerk]

Been twice and even got married there .

Got married the last time we were there, what a fantastic time we had.

 

[Cherry13]

Got married there and had a fantastic time. Stayed in Varedero and did the usual, such as trips to Havana, Cateraman cruise, scooter trips, and even a street party and then a ‘locals’ nightclub. Incredible experience.

Also, got driven from Varedero to Havana in a Fiat UNO..... whilst my wife and friends got driven there in a Pink Cadillac. Was like a scene out of the inbetweeners.