What non Cuban bank can I get a credit card with when I visit Cuba next week? The American bank cards no good?

Question

What non Cuban bank can I get a credit card with when I visit Cuba next week? The American bank cards no good?

Answer 1

It is very difficult to get normal credit cards from a country where you are not resident.

Some banks do issue prepaid credit cards. Republic Bank of Trinidad and tobago is one.

Answer 2

Visa and MasterCard are accepted (and Diners Club, but not as widely accepted). AMEX and Capital One are US based and not accepted.

To exchange US dollars into the CUC there is a 10% surcharge, while exchanges from Canadian dollars, Euros, UK pounds and Swiss Francs will not incur a surcharge.

So US dollars CAN be exchanged in Cuba but is not worth it as there will be a fee.

Thomas Cook and VISA traveler's cheques are accepted (not from US based financial institution) as well. But most banks, CADECA offices, hotels, and businesses charge commissions of between 1% and 5% for cashing traveler's cheques.

It is possible (not always easy to do though) to do cash advances with your credit card at the ATMs....debit MIGHT work but not guaranteed as it depends on their system on a daily basis. It's easier to use the credit card.

However, if you purchase anything with your credit card, most of the time the charge will be first done in US funds and then converted and will be calculated at 11.5% more than the CUC amount.

I suggest you change your money every couple of days since you will need to change your money back before you come home as CUC have no value outside of Cuba...you may lose when converting your money back.

Have an amazing time!

¡Buen viaje!

Answer 3

You can get a BBVA credit card and it is valid in Cuba.  Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria is a Bank from Spain.  Spain has lots of investments in Cuba as well as international agreements for this efect.  Do not take US dls because there is a tax of aprox 20 percent when you cash them.  

Most Canadian and Mexican credit cards are well accepted all over Cuba.   No US credit cards are accepted in Cuba.

Answer 4

Credit cards and travelers checks issued by US banks are not accepted. Debit cards do not work in Cuba.

Credit cards and travelers checks issued by Canadian and European banks are accepted (except AMEX). But please confirm with your bank before you depart as regulations change constantly.

If you dont have acess to these I would suggest you take your Money in any other currency than US dollars and change it as you go.Try bringing small bills as bigger ones are harder to change

Have a nice trip.