Money in Cuba

[crowpro]

Do I need Cuban money when going ashore in Cuba?  If so, where do you go for the exchange.

Thanks

[Jancruz]

Yes you do need Cuban money and you can get it when you get off the ship in the port building..

Jancruz1

[crowpro]

Thanks for the info and quick response.

 

[DrHemlock]

Easy peasy.  And when you're heading back to the ship after your final Cuban port call, there will be an exchange facility right at the pier where you can turn in your leftover Cuban currency and receive US dollars back.  

 

Yes, there will be some loss due to currency exchange fees, but that's the price of visiting one of the most interesting countries in the world.  (Let the flaming begin....)

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

So do they charge you the 10% penalty when they give you back USD like they do when they take it?  

 

I'm getting CAN before I go as they don't charge you the 10% penalty when you exchange it.  

[DrHemlock]

In our experience, Canadian dollars or Euros were the better choice.  However, US dollars work if you're willing to pay the penalty.  Considering that you're not exchanging all that many dollars, it's really not too excruciating.

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

We are doing three stops in Cuba so how much cash is a good estimate to have?  We will probably book ships tours or book our own private tours so tip money, food, drink, etc?  On the expensive scale how does Cuba rate say compared to San Francisco, LA, or NY.  That might give me a frame of reference based on our usual spending habits.  

[RonaldL]

Spent a full day in Cuba on 5/2.  Took a 3 hour tour, then a taxi to the large indoor flea market and walked around the area having drinks at a local restaurant.  Everybody spoke English and everybody took US dollars without hesitation.  When you get off the ship there will be a line to exchange money but we did not.  I don't think it is necessary.  If you take a cab agree on the fare before you get in.  They will bargain.  So will everyone in the flea market.

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

Rough idea on how much you spent off the ship?  We aren't much on trinkets but would do a meal, few drinks, maybe a bottle of rum, and a few cigars.  

[Kingofcool1947]

On 5/13/2019 at 9:47 AM, crowpro said:

Do I need Cuban money when going ashore in Cuba?  If so, where do you go for the exchange.

Thanks

 

Exchange for Cuban CUCs at the terminal.

[RJB]

On 5/13/2019 at 1:47 PM, crowpro said:

Do I need Cuban money when going ashore in Cuba?  If so, where do you go for the exchange.

Thanks

Some local street vendors will take U.S. Dollars.   Usually without the 10% exchange rate.   Just ask. 

[studebhawk]

On 5/24/2019 at 8:15 AM, RJB said:

Some local street vendors will take U.S. Dollars.   Usually without the 10% exchange rate.   Just ask. 

 

For our Cuba cruise over the new year on Sirena, we used Euro.

No problems at all, and, no exchange penalty.

The Euro conversion rate for the states is very low now and easy to get from your local bank in the states.