Cuba - debit cards Santander

MrsPorridge

Hi,

My son is travelling to Cuba next week. Its a mission trying to find clean unused bank notes in itself, but we have got conflicting information (from the web) as to whether or not he can use his Santander debit card over there.

He has telephoned Santander and explained that he is going abroad to Cuba so may well have expenses on his card. They never said anything about whether or not the card was acceptable.

Does anyone have any up-to-date information about this?

Also - any idea how to get clean unused money? I got some £5 notes from the Post Office, but on looking again at the Web it says that they only accept £10, £20 or £50.

Arrrrggggghhhhh - It is his first trip abroad alone and I am freaking out as it is! He will meet up with fellow travellers in Cuba and they then do some research on a boat (sounds fantastic).

Voyager2002

Don't worry... there are no issues about banknotes having to be unused, and I never heard this story about five pound notes not being accepted. As for his debit card: if it has the Visa logo it will work in ATMs (be careful since some give CUC, convertible pesos, while others give CUP, the money that Cubans use) while if it is Mastercard he will have to go inside during opening hours to get cash over the counter.

Banks are sometimes funny and slow, so he might get on better at a local money-changer (Cadeca). There is always a long queue for a Cadeca but they work quickly and efficiently and so might take less time than a bank.

carolwat

The bank notes dont have to be unused but they do have to be clean so no writing on them. I had no problems exchanging nearly £2000 there this May. I had no issues using cards either but did mainly use cash and exchanged it at the cadeca and like the other poster said, they work fast. Cuba is a fantastic place and he will have a great time. Im jealous.

InsideInsurance

It is only where the bank's parent company is in the USA where you may have a problem (eg Citi). Santander are Spanish so no issues with the USA/Cuba trade embargoes

MrsPorridge

Thanks all for your re-assuring comments - much appreciated.

brewerdave

....I'd avoid using debit cards in ATMs unless absolutely necessary - a fellow traveller had his "swallowed" on our last trip to Havana - he then entered a world of pain trying to sort it out!
We have used credit cards OK for paying for trips,shop goods etc.

Voyager2002

brewerdave wrote: »

....I'd avoid using debit cards in ATMs unless absolutely necessary - a fellow traveller had his "swallowed" on our last trip to Havana - he then entered a world of pain trying to sort it out!
We have used credit cards OK for paying for trips,shop goods etc.

And note that the process of getting cash over the counter (bank or Cadeca) is relatively painless, and costs the same (there is a 3 per cent fee, but if you exchange cash the exchange rate has been adjusted to charge the 3 per cent although you don't see it there).

MrsPorridge

He is taking plenty of cash - luckily all his food and accommodation and transfers are all paid upfront. It is just hire of diving equipment which works out around £60 for the whole time he is there and any drinks and extra snacks.


I just wanted to know that his debit card worked in case of an emergency so to be honest I don't think he will need to use it.

MrsPorridge

Well, I say plenty of cash - around £200 I think will be enough. There is then the problem of him losing it or getting it stolen, but he is quite streetwise so fingers crossed!