I going to Cuba and ppl say not to take traveller cheques is this true ??

Question

I going to Cuba and ppl say not to take traveller cheques is this true ??

Answer 1

Never take travellers cheques to Cuba, take sterling if your from the UK or dollars if your from Canada, the exchange rate is good and you don't get ripped off, if you take a credit or debit card please make sure its not an American bank based card as you can't use them in Cuba and remember if you do use a credit or debit card in Cuba you get charged 11 and a half percent for the privilege, we have just come back from a fortnight in Cuba, we took £550 sterling, went to Havana overnight, did the catamaran trip and the dolphins, bought tons of pressies, cigars, cigs and booze, did a lot of tipping to the staff and brought £65 back with us, Cuba is dirt cheap but wonderful, have a great time.

Answer 2

Travellers cheques  not American express or others drawn on an American bank will work just fine, you can change them into CUC Convertible Pesos either at the airport upon arrival, the exchange bank at your resort or a bank.  However cash in  Sterling, Euros, Canadian dollars, just about any hard currency makes it easier.  When you arrive at your resort you can put the excess in the room safe, then draw from  them as you need them.  Cuba tends to be a cash society,  tourists are  supposed to use CUC.  Do not take American dollars, you will pay a penalty for exchanging them.  You can check the approximate rate below.

Answer 3

I'm guessing by the way you spell "cheques" that you're not from the US (otherwise I'd remind you it's illegal to travel there blah blah).

Anyway, it's recommended that you not use travelers checks, just because a lot of places won't take them.  

And if you are a US citizen, they will only take US dollars, and your credit card must be issued by a foreign bank.

Answer 4

That is true.  Many merchants in Cuba don't even have a bank account, so they would have no way to cash the checks... If you take traveler's cheques you will have to cash them at a Bank once you are in Cuba and even that isn't for certain.

Take cash and convert it at the Cambios... it's a bit more expensive but a lot easier  Just remember, you ALWAYS get the best rates at a bank that is IN the country you are visiting.

Answer 5

I go to Cuba every three months.

Never take us dls or traverlers checks from United States to Cuba.

Us Dlls have a 10 percent tax when you exchange them.

Take Mexican pesos or Canadian dollars or Euros.

You will have to exchange your money for CUC (Unidad Convertible Cubana), that is the money you have to use in Cuba.

When you arrive to Cuba change some of your money at the airport (not all of them), only to pay the taxi, later on you can change it at any CADECA  (Casa de Cambio) or in your hotel.

That simple.

Answer 6

Richard and joelouhabana are right.

You can take travellers cheques and they are accepted in Cuba (as long as they're not US based)...but it would be easier to take cash or a CAD credit card. You can always withdraw or do a cash advance on the card if necessary.

I personally never take travellers cheques to Cuba. Just cash and credit cards. Never have a problem.

Here are a few more links to look at:

http://www.gocuba.ca/en/travelTips.asp#1...

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/cub...

http://www.mycubatrip.com/info/pesos.htm

Have an amazing time in Cuba.