Cuban Currency

Author
Discussion

Steve H

Original Poster:

1,169 posts

231 months

Thursday 4th June 2009
quotequote all
Off to Cuba in a few weeks and does anyone have any advice on what currency to take. It is mainly for tips etc. Obviously US dollars are out......Canadian? Sterling? and change these when I get there?

Cheers
Steve

rsv gone!

11,288 posts

248 months

eldar

22,731 posts

203 months

Thursday 4th June 2009
quotequote all
Sterling will do nicely. There are 2 currencies, the peso, which is of no use except in state shops, and the convertible peso (aka us$) in value, which is what you'll need.

Should be able to change it at hotels no problem, or with tour guides for a slightly better rate.

Brilliant place, nice literate people with a very subtle sense of humour, with a few soviet throwbacks for variety.

Car spotting is fun!

Alfachick

1,639 posts

204 months

Friday 5th June 2009
quotequote all
DO NOT TAKE SCOTTISH NOTES! I made that mistake, and ended up carrying around £200 worth of scottish notes, couldn't get them changed anywhere and had a really really skint holiday. Was probably better for the fact that I had no money but hey ho. Don't take Scottish notes.


BigAlinEmbra

1,629 posts

219 months

Saturday 6th June 2009
quotequote all
Sterling is fine.
If you're in and around Habana Vieja then the bank about halfway to 2/3 of the way down Obispo on the right hand side as you head away from Parque Central had the best exchange rate. Also the ATMs were easiest to persuade to give us cash out.

Lots of the others are 6 digit efforts and you never know whether to stick 00 at the front or end.

Get £5-10 worth of local pesos as well as oppose to just CUC, and head down to the market which is just off Belgique. Head away from Parque Central, past the Capitolio and it's about 4-5 blocks down.
1 local peso (2.5p when we were there) for a banana, and 7 pesos for mangos and pineapples.

As the grub in the state restaurants ain't super tasty, you'll be glad of some snackage.

A 20 min taxi ride out to Playa Santa Maria to sit on the beach munching on the freshest juiciest pineapple you've ever had is lovely.



Steve H

Original Poster:

1,169 posts

231 months

Saturday 6th June 2009
quotequote all
Sterling it is then.... thanks all