I'm exchanging USD to EUR. Not sure I'll be able to use my US issued credit card. Will I?
You were told no less than two times in this thread that your USA issued card will not be accepted.
I'm exchanging USD to EUR. Not sure I'll be able to use my US issued credit card. Will I?
You were told no less than two times in this thread that your USA issued card will not be accepted.
CUC vs Pesos....
1 CUC = $1 USD
(except there is an exchange commission for changing currency and a 10% Tax on USD)
24 Pesos (CUP) = 1 CUC to buy (selling them back is 25Pesos = 1 CUC)
You can buy all the Pesos you want.
You will not be arrested for carrying Pesos, or even spending Pesos.
You just won't see any Peso Pricing in a two day visit.
As a Tourist (not fluent in Spanish) you will ALWAYS pay in CUC. (don't even bother asking)
A seasoned Tourist (who speaks not bad Spanish) you HAVE A CHANCE of paying in Pesos.
Havana is a CUC place. You have to get away from “downtown” to find a Peso place.
If the place looks dumpy, questionable and half full of undesirable stuff... It might be priced in Pesos.
When my Wife and I go to Havana, we spend about 60% of our money in Pesos.
Did I mention my wife is Cuban?
What to look for... ?
-Cuban Peso Cigars. In Havana they can be had for 50Peso for 25 cigars.
They come in a plain white paper wrapper, and are sold on the street (non-tourist areas)
They are 100% Cuban tobacco, 100% Cuban rolled and.... a little harsh.
-Go to a Cuban Bank and ask for 1 CUC worth of $3Peso bills and $3Peso coins
They both have pictures of Che Guevara.... great souvenirs!
-Buy a couple pounds of Cuban Coffee (the one in the Black bag, Red bag is good too)
you will pay in CUC
Your USA Credit Card WILL NOT WORK!
Hell.... I find it hard too find a place that will take my Canadian VISA card.
Cuba is a Cash Society. Forget the Credit Cards.
You DO NOT need to show Health Ins. On arrival! That was 4or5 years ago. Old News.
Private message me if you want to hire a Havana Guide (speaks English)... $30CUC/day plus food
CUC vs Pesos....
1 CUC = $1 USD
(except there is an exchange commission for changing currency and a 10% Tax on USD)
24 Pesos (CUP) = 1 CUC to buy (selling them back is 25Pesos = 1 CUC)
You can buy all the Pesos you want.
You will not be arrested for carrying Pesos, or even spending Pesos.
You just won't see any Peso Pricing in a two day visit.
As a Tourist (not fluent in Spanish) you will ALWAYS pay in CUC. (don't even bother asking)
A seasoned Tourist (who speaks not bad Spanish) you HAVE A CHANCE of paying in Pesos.
Havana is a CUC place. You have to get away from “downtown” to find a Peso place.
If the place looks dumpy, questionable and half full of undesirable stuff... It might be priced in Pesos.
When my Wife and I go to Havana, we spend about 60% of our money in Pesos.
Did I mention my wife is Cuban?
What to look for... ?
-Cuban Peso Cigars. In Havana they can be had for 50Peso for 25 cigars.
They come in a plain white paper wrapper, and are sold on the street (non-tourist areas)
They are 100% Cuban tobacco, 100% Cuban rolled and.... a little harsh.
-Go to a Cuban Bank and ask for 1 CUC worth of $3Peso bills and $3Peso coins
They both have pictures of Che Guevara.... great souvenirs!
-Buy a couple pounds of Cuban Coffee (the one in the Black bag, Red bag is good too)
you will pay in CUC
Your USA Credit Card WILL NOT WORK!
Hell.... I find it hard too find a place that will take my Canadian VISA card.
Cuba is a Cash Society. Forget the Credit Cards.
You DO NOT need to show Health Ins. On arrival! That was 4or5 years ago. Old News.
Private message me if you want to hire a Havana Guide (speaks English)... $30CUC/day plus food
GM kids,
I'm Traveling to Cuba with the family. Any last minute advice ?
We will be staying the Plaza for 2 nights, Varadero for 3 nights with a day trip to Viñales.
My wife read some horrible reviews of the Plaza hotel (no hot or running water, roaches, peeling wall paper....). We hear food is not the best at the hotel or the paladares.
How much of this true ? Any first hand account from a DR'er ?
Suggestions on what to do, visit, place to eat are welcome ?
Nice report, thanks for the feedback, perhaps next time try to fit in a trip to Trinidad, although a bit further away from Havana it's also a really nice place to visit in Cuba....
...Tourist can legaly only use cuc pesos...USA $ is worth 78 cents, so less that 1 cuc peso. health insurance is manditory... please report back on your hotel.....Doc......
I understand the food is not very good and goods and services are poor.