Cuba&money

[fatboy2]

There's another thread by rotcod on Cuba but my questions are more $-related.

I understand ATM cards won't work,nor will Amex credit cards or trav.cheques.

I've read diff. things re Mastercard being accepted or not.

!) is Visa c/c accepted?
2) Thos. Cook t/c's ok.
3)are pickpockets a worry?
4) do the airlines give out the Tourist Card you need to enter Cuba?

btw, I tried to call Air Canada to ask about #4, f...g wot,they have a ph#all recorded,say "reservation", say "check-in", etc.frustration to the max.

Also, do hotels allow local women to enter?

Any info, here, or by PM, much appreciated.

thx

fb

 

[fatboy2]

there are a couple of foriegn banks and one canadian bank in old havana , they have atm and if not working you can line up and get some $$$ from teller.
the airline gives out the card on the plane.
no---- u cannot bring girls back to your hotel room.
but many have a room near where they hangout that u can sneak into and usually there is a crowd of 10 in the living room while u get ur rocks off in the master bedroom. that would be granny , grandpa , and kids!!!
while mom who works as a dentist sells her pussy to get some extra ca-jing. she will make more with one fuk than a whole month working her real job.

thx Planetman.

I thought atm's didn't work there.I'm guessing I'd need passport,debit card,maybe a bank cheque,as proof of acct. to get $ from the teller?
Seems like it might be a carry-the-cash-carefully situation.

I've tried with no success&much frustration to find where I can buy Visa T/C's
called several 1-800 #'s, got nowhere.

Dunno what to do, don't want the stress of carrying lots of cash, feel vulnerable, even with cpl money packs out of sight.

thx again

 

[jackcb]

There's another thread by rotcod on Cuba but my questions are more $-related.

I understand ATM cards won't work,nor will Amex credit cards or trav.cheques. There is a Canadian bank in old havana


3)are pickpockets a worry? With any tourist destination yes. Washington DC even has them.


btw, I tried to call Air Canada to ask about #4, f...g wot,they have a ph#all recorded,say "reservation", say "check-in", etc.frustration to the max. When does Air Canada work?

Also, do hotels allow local women to enter? No. Most resorts require customers to wear a bracelet signifying they are a guest. They will approach and remove anyone who is not wearing the bracelet. A few of my friends have been approached by virtue of being latino or black. Just make sure the bracelet is visible at all times.


fb

Be wary of taxi cabs...

 

[FortunateOne]

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/cuba/practical-information/money-costs

 

[fatboy2]

Valuable info

thx for the input,everybody.

My Lonely Planet is I think 2006 and said ATM cards won't work,so yours is probly an updated copy.

If I can ask what is likely a stupid,paranoid question....when changing Cdn cash at a bank or cadeca(sp?)does denomination size matter?eg, any hassle with bills of Cdn$100?Probably dumb ques. but I want to be sure.

Again, thx for the help.

 

[HeMadeMeDoIt]

Canadian Visa cards work. I always take about $1000 US cash. .

DO NOT TAKE US DOLLARS. Either take CDN$ or EUROs.

 

[JQP]

I have been 25 times. I used to take US cash but now they convert it at a discount of 10% so it doesn't make sense any more.

I usually just go to one of the hotels in Havana and get a cash advance on my VISA or MasterCard. If you go to the Nacional the Cadeca is open until at least 7 pm and probably longer.

I wouldn't go take travelers cheques or anything that requires you to go to a bank. Longer line ups and short hours.

If you want to meet girls, rent at a casa particular. Girls can't come into hotels.

 

[fatboy2]

thx again for all the valuable information.

 

[fatboy2]

While I appreciate the info that has been passed on to me, there is one area where I still need help.

I have been trying,unsuccessfully, to make sure I won't have trouble exchanging Cdn bills of $50 and $100 denom. at Cuban banks.

The rational side of me says "don't be an idiot,these are BANKS, of course they take larger denom."

Then, the irrational(paranoid?) side says "what if I'm stuck with $100 notes I can't exchange?I'd be hooped"

I have tried calling Cuban embassy in Ottawa and the Cuban consulate in Toronto.In each case, there are many options to leave messages,(which do not get returned)but you can't actually SPEAK to anybody.Makes me wonder if air Canada helped them set up their phones.

I even called Banco Metropolitano in Havana, but they don't even answer the phone.

So, if somebody, anybody, out there has been to Cuba recently, can you PLEASE advise re exchanging Cdn cash for Cuban pesos.Was it necessary to have smaller bills, eg $20?

Thanks for any help.

 

[JQP]

Smaller bills are definitely better. Even using CUC 50 bills is a hassle. If you use them at any store, they will ask for your passport and write the info down.

Trust me, going to a bank is a hassle, short hours, long lines, shitty service. The banks aren't like here.

Go to a big hotel in Havana and go the currency exchange desk. Get a cash advance on your credit card. Real simple. I have never had any problems. The hours are a lot longer than the banks.

Forget trying to call any Cuban consultate or Embassy. They never answer the phone. If they do they don't give you any info. No one there gives a shit. Same at the banks.

 

[vpofkuba]

Don't worry about large bills you can change CND $50's or $100's at any currency exchange place. I would change $100 at the Airport (they will be open) then change the rest at thehotel or bank (better rate).

I have spent over a year of time in Cuba so let me know if you have any questions. I am either going on Jan 18th or 31st air only to Varadero then heading straight for Havana.