Cash to Cuba?

dohouch · 06-10-2013 7:17am #1

Having, up to now, restricted my travel to the "comfortable world" I'm off to visit Fidel end of November for 19 days.

Will be staying in "Casa Particulares ". I know about the 2 currencies.

Do I have carry my budgeted spending in cash Euro?

OR say maybe 10 €50 notes, change a bit at the airport, and use bank debit cards along the way to draw as I need.

Would feel a bit nervous carrying 30 or 40 €50 notes from the start of the trip.

gordongekko · 06-10-2013 7:20am

dohouch wrote: »

Having, up to now, restricted my travel to the "comfortable world" I'm off to visit Fidel end of November for 19 days.

Will be staying in "Casa Particulares ". I know about the 2 currencies.

Do I have carry my budgeted spending in cash Euro?

OR say maybe 10 €50 notes, change a bit at the airport, and use bank debit cards along the way to draw as I need.

Would feel a bit nervous carrying 30 or 40 €50 notes from the start of the trip.

its a long time since I was there but there was no way to pay by debit cards and very few ATMs. I had the cash with me.

dohouch · 06-10-2013 7:29am

gordongekko wrote: »

its a long time since I was there but there was no way to pay by debit cards and very few ATMs. I had the cash with me.

Maybe a more recent visitor can advise about using debit/credit cards to draw cash.

Even if it means going inside the bank and queueing.

johnire · 08-10-2013 10:48pm

No....don't rely on debit/credit cards.
Bring Euro with you and you will have no bother in getting it changed.

dohouch wrote: »

Maybe a more recent visitor can advise about using debit/credit cards to draw cash.

Even if it means going inside the bank and queueing.

Handy11 · 10-10-2013 4:50pm

I was there a few years back and withdrew from ATMs with no problems. A good precaution was to only use ATMs in banks during opening hours - that way you wouldn't be fecked if it swallowed your card. I just loaded up a Visa card and it was fine.

jam_mac_jam · 10-10-2013 4:54pm

Be careful to check with your bank if your card works in Cuba. Mine which was BOI didnt and we had to rely on my boyfriends and me give him the money back. I Have two credit cards and neither of them worked. Something to do with US connections, I can't remember the particular company involved. One was MBNA I think. Bring some cash to be sure.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy · 10-10-2013 4:55pm

I was there 5 years ago, I brought cash. Cuban convertible pesos are a restricted currency anyway, so you can't buy those until you arrive. There are ATMS about, but your only drawing attention to yourself by using them.

If I was going back Id bring cash and use the safety deposit box at the hotel, did before and encountered no problems.

Cash to Cuba?

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