Cuba - Holiday money

Mogs_2

I have done lots of research on taking holiday spending money to Cuba as I am going shortly but am not entirely happy with the info I have found. Generally the advice is to take all your spending money in sterling - cash. ATMs are scarce and often fail so Debit cards are out. Credit Cards can be used for excersions I gather, as long as they are not American owned but have the same issues as debit cards for drawing cash. So it comes back to bundles of cash, enough for two weeks holiday which I am not happy about carrying/leaving in hotel rooms etc. First hand advice on how anyone has handled this would be appreciated

Thanks in advance

stanehyve

got back from Cuba last week and we took cash, don't know where you are staying but we hadd 3 nights in Havana in the Parque Central Hotel and had a safe in our room then onto the Iberostar Varadero and that room had safe in it as well, we had no problems change money to CUCs at the hotel receptions and got a good rate. I looked into it before we went and I think most people take cash and talking to people on holiday and all took cash

Stanehyve

stephb34

As above we did the same, i did take my credit card but they wanted to add 11% on to the price. How much money are you thinking of taking, its quite hard to spend alot of money unless your going on trips everyday.

Mogs_2

Thanks for replies guys. Sorry for the delay but I messed up my password. I think cash it is then. Just hate the thought of having a lot of cash hanging around for most of the holiday. All inclusive for 10 days then 4 days in Havana where I am expecting to spend considerably more than in the all inc resort

markandkate

Much depends on where you are staying. If you have funds in a ccount with a debit card you can get cash from ATM's in Havana and I think Trinidad. In other reasonable sized towns you can get cash from your debit card by going into the bank. We took about half our money in cash and hte rest on a debit card. Using credit cards we only managed once. The machines are not regualry serviced and the iternet links are little better than dial up so the connection keeps dropping out.

Mogs_2

That's interesting. I am hoping to visit Santiago de Cuba and am definately staying in Havana. I had been told that ATMs are not reliable but had not realised you could use a card in the bank itself. Thanks MarkandKate

hollie.weimeraner

Mogs wrote: »

That's interesting. I am hoping to visit Santiago de Cuba and am definately staying in Havana. I had been told that ATMs are not reliable but had not realised you could use a card in the bank itself. Thanks MarkandKate

Remember that if your bank has a US affiliation it will not be accepted anywhere in Cuba. As stated above the exchanges in the hotels will accept debit cards.

Mogs_2

Yes I had heard that. But finding out which banks have US affiliation is a minefield in itself. According to my research LloydsTSB are not accepted but Halifax, even though part of the Lloyds group are. I am taking a Nationwide card and a Halifax card. Can anyone confirm they have used these cards? Am thinking now possible emergency use

hollie.weimeraner

Mogs wrote: »

Yes I had heard that. But finding out which banks have US affiliation is a minefield in itself. According to my research LloydsTSB are not accepted but Halifax, even though part of the Lloyds group are. I am taking a Nationwide card and a Halifax card. Can anyone confirm they have used these cards? Am thinking now possible emergency use

I used my Nationwide Flex account card in March this year:)

Mogs_2

Thanks Hollie. Where did you stay/visit? Any hints and tips on must sees in Havana?

hollie.weimeraner

We had 3 days at the Parque Central in Havana before flying south to paradisus rio de oro resort and spa which was fantastic. We booked a walking tour with one of the guides from Trip Advisor but he didn't sow so we managed to book with the Thomas Cook rep who was great and well worth it.

We also booked the Tropicana which we thought was great (but expensive).

The Parque Central was OK but we were roomed in the extension at the back. Trip Advisor is a great source of information for Cuba and I'd recommend you research that for more info. I'm off to NY (just in time for hurricane Irene:eek: this afternoon so signing off now - sorry.