Cuban Currency Confusion
Discussion
Hello travel section!
Going to Cuba in the Summer and have been busy researching currency. It appears that there are 2 currencies the CUP (nonconvertible Cuban peso) and the CUC (convertible Cuban peso). From what I have read it is best to take GBP and get your currency out there (the CUC). For me this just seems un-natural as I always like to know I have the right currency before I go, Or if in doubt take a bit of USD (Not the case with Cuba as the USD is penalised with an extra 10%)
So can one of you travel bods just put my mind at ease. Take GBP and convert it there, right?
Thanks in advanced
Going to Cuba in the Summer and have been busy researching currency. It appears that there are 2 currencies the CUP (nonconvertible Cuban peso) and the CUC (convertible Cuban peso). From what I have read it is best to take GBP and get your currency out there (the CUC). For me this just seems un-natural as I always like to know I have the right currency before I go, Or if in doubt take a bit of USD (Not the case with Cuba as the USD is penalised with an extra 10%)
So can one of you travel bods just put my mind at ease. Take GBP and convert it there, right?
Thanks in advanced
Take GBP, do not bother with any US$.
Make sure your notes are new, clean, untorn and not even written on (no pen marks). I'd also suggest you stick to £5, £10 and £20 denominations.
In my experience, anything not quite perfect and they'll refuse to change it. Don't even bother with £50s.
Change your currency when you are there, and I'd recommend you use the place in the hotel...
Don't worry about the CUC/CUP thing - stick to the hotel currency place and you'll always get something that will be legit.
Make sure your notes are new, clean, untorn and not even written on (no pen marks). I'd also suggest you stick to £5, £10 and £20 denominations.
In my experience, anything not quite perfect and they'll refuse to change it. Don't even bother with £50s.
Change your currency when you are there, and I'd recommend you use the place in the hotel...
Don't worry about the CUC/CUP thing - stick to the hotel currency place and you'll always get something that will be legit.
Edited by Podie on Monday 15th March 16:03
No problem. 
Where abouts are you going?
We were surprised how fastidious they were with the notes - if there was a slight rip (to check the silver strip) or any writing (by bank cashier) or even a mark from one of those pens that checks it's a real note - they rejected it and refused to change it - no matter what we said.
Be aware they often get tetchy if two of you try and go in to change money
Where abouts are you going?
We were surprised how fastidious they were with the notes - if there was a slight rip (to check the silver strip) or any writing (by bank cashier) or even a mark from one of those pens that checks it's a real note - they rejected it and refused to change it - no matter what we said.
Be aware they often get tetchy if two of you try and go in to change money
Podie said:
No problem.
Where abouts are you going?
We were surprised how fastidious they were with the notes - if there was a slight rip (to check the silver strip) or any writing (by bank cashier) or even a mark from one of those pens that checks it's a real note - they rejected it and refused to change it - no matter what we said.
Be aware they often get tetchy if two of you try and go in to change money
Off to Varadero to sit on the beach and go and see Havana. I will make sure the notes are beautifully crisp although it is always harder to hand over new notes Where abouts are you going?
We were surprised how fastidious they were with the notes - if there was a slight rip (to check the silver strip) or any writing (by bank cashier) or even a mark from one of those pens that checks it's a real note - they rejected it and refused to change it - no matter what we said.
Be aware they often get tetchy if two of you try and go in to change money
I have already been warned about expecting people in Havana to hastle you for money as well as everyone and his dog will try and sell you cigars & rum especially the hotel staff.
I can't say I know anyone really into their Cigars but shall be trying one when I am there
The beaches are pretty amazing... 
If you're on an all inclusive, a lot of places offer "tours" which include going and seeing a bit of the country. Worth taking your driving licence with you... 
Havana is truly stunning - amazing city.
We did get a little bit of hassling, but nothing major, and I feel more uncomfortable with my SLR around London, than I did in Havana.
Everyone tries to sell you cigars and rum - just say you've bought them already. It's certainly worth going to a cigar factory though, in fact we went to a couple as they do differ quite a bit.
If you're on an all inclusive, a lot of places offer "tours" which include going and seeing a bit of the country. Worth taking your driving licence with you... Havana is truly stunning - amazing city.
We did get a little bit of hassling, but nothing major, and I feel more uncomfortable with my SLR around London, than I did in Havana.
Everyone tries to sell you cigars and rum - just say you've bought them already. It's certainly worth going to a cigar factory though, in fact we went to a couple as they do differ quite a bit.
Podie said:
The beaches are pretty amazing... If you're on an all inclusive, a lot of places offer "tours" which include going and seeing a bit of the country. Worth taking your driving licence with you...
Havana is truly stunning - amazing city.
We did get a little bit of hassling, but nothing major, and I feel more uncomfortable with my SLR around London, than I did in Havana.
Everyone tries to sell you cigars and rum - just say you've bought them already. It's certainly worth going to a cigar factory though, in fact we went to a couple as they do differ quite a bit.
Yep on all inclusive so don't have to really worry about tours (or food and alcohol If you're on an all inclusive, a lot of places offer "tours" which include going and seeing a bit of the country. Worth taking your driving licence with you... Havana is truly stunning - amazing city.
We did get a little bit of hassling, but nothing major, and I feel more uncomfortable with my SLR around London, than I did in Havana.
Everyone tries to sell you cigars and rum - just say you've bought them already. It's certainly worth going to a cigar factory though, in fact we went to a couple as they do differ quite a bit.
). They run a two day tour of Havana which I really want to do! Always wanted to see Havana since "Driver 2" came out on the playstation ! I will take my driver's licence in case I get bored and fancy and explore. Will look into a Cigar factory as, even though I am not a smoker, they do seem interesting. The hassling can't be much worse than when I was approched in NYC by 3 Gangster rappers who wanted me to buy their CD. I was 16 at the time and thought I was going to get shot
JakeS said:
Podie said:
The beaches are pretty amazing... If you're on an all inclusive, a lot of places offer "tours" which include going and seeing a bit of the country. Worth taking your driving licence with you...
Havana is truly stunning - amazing city.
We did get a little bit of hassling, but nothing major, and I feel more uncomfortable with my SLR around London, than I did in Havana.
Everyone tries to sell you cigars and rum - just say you've bought them already. It's certainly worth going to a cigar factory though, in fact we went to a couple as they do differ quite a bit.
Yep on all inclusive so don't have to really worry about tours (or food and alcohol If you're on an all inclusive, a lot of places offer "tours" which include going and seeing a bit of the country. Worth taking your driving licence with you... Havana is truly stunning - amazing city.
We did get a little bit of hassling, but nothing major, and I feel more uncomfortable with my SLR around London, than I did in Havana.
Everyone tries to sell you cigars and rum - just say you've bought them already. It's certainly worth going to a cigar factory though, in fact we went to a couple as they do differ quite a bit.
). They run a two day tour of Havana which I really want to do! Always wanted to see Havana since "Driver 2" came out on the playstation ! I will take my driver's licence in case I get bored and fancy and explore. Will look into a Cigar factory as, even though I am not a smoker, they do seem interesting. The hassling can't be much worse than when I was approched in NYC by 3 Gangster rappers who wanted me to buy their CD. I was 16 at the time and thought I was going to get shot
As for the all inclusive, get lots of small notes. You may have paid for everything, but the place runs on tips. The porter's job is a lucrative one. At the place where we stayed, the porter claimed to be a doctor, but earned more from tips than working as a doctor...
Currency - as discussed.
Havana is brilliant. Did a two-day trip flying from Holguin, they'd just had to bring in some external planes because the Air Cuba ones had all been grounded and had the worst safety record of any airline...
The Havana trip was great, walking round all the sights, a mojito in Hemmingway's bar, and an evening at the Tropicana with rum & cigars.
Cigar factory tour was good, you get offered cigars out the back for 1/2 the tourist price. Boxes of 25, but you're only allowed to take 23 out the country.
Have fun...
Havana is brilliant. Did a two-day trip flying from Holguin, they'd just had to bring in some external planes because the Air Cuba ones had all been grounded and had the worst safety record of any airline...
The Havana trip was great, walking round all the sights, a mojito in Hemmingway's bar, and an evening at the Tropicana with rum & cigars.
Cigar factory tour was good, you get offered cigars out the back for 1/2 the tourist price. Boxes of 25, but you're only allowed to take 23 out the country.
Have fun...
Size Nine Elm said:
Cigar factory tour was good, you get offered cigars out the back for 1/2 the tourist price. Boxes of 25, but you're only allowed to take 23 out the country.
Have fun...
Bear in mind though that many of the cigars you get offered on the street are fakes. You can also take more than 23 out the country if you have an official receipt from the store.Have fun...
I used to go to Havana twice a year on business. Back then US$ was king but as you rightly say Podie, it now carries a premium so bring Sterling. You can also take money out with your debit card in banks and major hotels.
Re. cigars, go to the Partagas factory in central Havana and do a tour. Its well worth it.
After the tour, kick back in the vip room off the shop itself with a coffee and a smoke
If you need any specific information about Havana, restaurants (Cuba is NOT known for it gastronomic experience)or anything else, let me know.
Oh and as Ed says, do NOT buy any cigars from a man on the street.. they WILL be fake and you won't get a receipt and cannot bring out of the country. They will give you all sorts of stories about having a cousin that works in a factory and bla bla bla.. ignore it all. They will not be genuine cigars.
Cuba has changed a lot since I started going in the late 90s but its still a tremendous place to visit
Re. cigars, go to the Partagas factory in central Havana and do a tour. Its well worth it.
After the tour, kick back in the vip room off the shop itself with a coffee and a smoke
If you need any specific information about Havana, restaurants (Cuba is NOT known for it gastronomic experience)or anything else, let me know.
Oh and as Ed says, do NOT buy any cigars from a man on the street.. they WILL be fake and you won't get a receipt and cannot bring out of the country. They will give you all sorts of stories about having a cousin that works in a factory and bla bla bla.. ignore it all. They will not be genuine cigars.
Cuba has changed a lot since I started going in the late 90s but its still a tremendous place to visit
Thanks for all the info Guys, really looking forward to going and doing some exploring! I won't be buying cigars from anyone apart from the factory tour in Havana, or a genuine looking shop. I don't smoke at all anyway so don't really have the need to bring any home. Will try one when I am there though!
Not really fussed about food quality, the hotel is all inclusive but will hopefully spend 2 or 3 days in Havana. What is there local dish? Always like to try local things on holiday.
Not really fussed about food quality, the hotel is all inclusive but will hopefully spend 2 or 3 days in Havana. What is there local dish? Always like to try local things on holiday.
JakeS said:
Thanks for all the info Guys, really looking forward to going and doing some exploring! I won't be buying cigars from anyone apart from the factory tour in Havana, or a genuine looking shop. I don't smoke at all anyway so don't really have the need to bring any home. Will try one when I am there though!
Not really fussed about food quality, the hotel is all inclusive but will hopefully spend 2 or 3 days in Havana. What is there local dish? Always like to try local things on holiday.
Kick back and pretend to be Castro with a Cohiba Espléndido Not really fussed about food quality, the hotel is all inclusive but will hopefully spend 2 or 3 days in Havana. What is there local dish? Always like to try local things on holiday.
Podie said:
JakeS said:
Thanks for all the info Guys, really looking forward to going and doing some exploring! I won't be buying cigars from anyone apart from the factory tour in Havana, or a genuine looking shop. I don't smoke at all anyway so don't really have the need to bring any home. Will try one when I am there though!
Not really fussed about food quality, the hotel is all inclusive but will hopefully spend 2 or 3 days in Havana. What is there local dish? Always like to try local things on holiday.
Kick back and pretend to be Castro with a Cohiba Espléndido Not really fussed about food quality, the hotel is all inclusive but will hopefully spend 2 or 3 days in Havana. What is there local dish? Always like to try local things on holiday.
Podie said:
JakeS said:
Thanks for all the info Guys, really looking forward to going and doing some exploring! I won't be buying cigars from anyone apart from the factory tour in Havana, or a genuine looking shop. I don't smoke at all anyway so don't really have the need to bring any home. Will try one when I am there though!
Not really fussed about food quality, the hotel is all inclusive but will hopefully spend 2 or 3 days in Havana. What is there local dish? Always like to try local things on holiday.
Kick back and pretend to be Castro with a Cohiba Espléndido Not really fussed about food quality, the hotel is all inclusive but will hopefully spend 2 or 3 days in Havana. What is there local dish? Always like to try local things on holiday.
Didn't realise they were that much!Bebs - Thanks!
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