Havana Currency Exchange?

Heading to Havana in October. I would like to ask past cruisers that have been there where did you exchange your USD to CUC? Is there a place that is a favorite that gives great rates etc?

Thanks!!

Karen

My understanding is that there is a spot right on the pier to do the exchange.

All of the currency exchanges are run by the government, as far as I know. The one at the pier is fast and friendly. Euros, Canadian dollars and Sterling get a better rate than USD, which had a surcharge when we were there in April.

My understanding is that there is a spot right on the pier to do the exchange.

Great! Thanks!

All of the currency exchanges are run by the government, as far as I know. The one at the pier is fast and friendly. Euros, Canadian dollars and Sterling get a better rate than USD, which had a surcharge when we were there in April.

Hmm. But you still had to pay for the rate to change the USD into Euros, CAD or Sterling though, right? Was there that great a difference between doing that and just doing the USD to CUC?

Spend some time reading over on the Cuba board - lots of information there.

Every currency is charged 3%, USD gets an added 10% charge.

Thus the "official" 1 CUC = 1 USD is in reality 1 CUC = $.87

Spend some time reading over on the Cuba board - lots of information there.

Every currency is charged 3%, USD gets an added 10% charge.

 

Thus the "official" 1 CUC = 1 USD is in reality 1 CUC = $.87

I'll head over there now to do some more research for the trip. Thanks!

Hmm. But you still had to pay for the rate to change the USD into Euros, CAD or Sterling though, right? Was there that great a difference between doing that and just doing the USD to CUC?

We already had the Sterling and Euros, so that part was easy.