How Do I Procure Emergency Funds While in Cuba?

 What kind of money should be taken?

By far and away, the best thing to take is cash!  Clean, untorn bills (not coins), will be exchanged at the airport or resorts, in towns and cities, at a fair exchange rate.  Because of the possible complexities of obtaining money from a credit card, the lack of ATM machines for debit cards, and most places refusing travelers cheques you will find cash the best way to go.  Most resorts have in room safes, while others offer them at a small additional fee. 

If you take credit cards be advised they may not be accepted.  Generally any credit card that has an affiliation with a USA financial institution will be refused outright.  Other cards may be refused simply because the person you present it to is unsure if it is allowed or not.  Have one for emergencies, but don’t count on it being able to be used without some contortions.

Traveler’s cheques again are not a good idea.  They will not be replaced if stolen, at least not while in Cuba, and generally as with credit cards, Cubans are wary of accepting them because of possible USA affiliations.  If you are sure your travelers cheques are not USA affiliated, then you may be able to exchange them with the help of a tour rep at the resort.

To clarify a bit, the Cuban people, government, and banks are NOT the reason for the problem with credit cards and travelers cheques.  The problem is the USA embargo which makes it illegal for any USA financial institution to deal with Cuba.  Thus if a Cuban company accepted your credit card payment, and it was USA affiliated (like MBNA) they probably would never get the money from the card company.  No use blaming the poor Cuban behind the counter at the money kiosk, it is not his or her fault.

So those are your main choices for taking funds with you for spending on souvenirs, excursions, and tips. 

Why would I need to secure emergency funds?

  • Medical emergency.
  • Theft causes you to lose your cash.
  • Underestimated needed money.
  • Criminal Offense (Fines)
  • Other totally unforeseen circumstance

Generally most people do not take money with them expecting an emergency.  As listed above you may however run into situations that exhaust your on hand money, and leave you feeling desperate.  This can especially be true of Medical emergencies.  Tour operators onsite at the resorts will often tell tourists during the orientation, that if you need medical attention you will need to pay for it up front, and deal with your medical insurance for reimbursement later.  This can be a frightening prospect, especially as you have already paid a good deal of money on insurance (everyone should do so).  Again this problem is because some insurance companies have refused to pay because they are affiliated with USA institutions.  Travel Agents should know better, and some do provide non-affiliated insurance, but others have a default carrier they sell products from.

How  do I address these type of crisis

So what do you do?  First keep calm, and rest assured something will be worked out.  Losing your cool, and trying to bully or argue with the authorities is totally counter-productive.  Some things should have been done before you left home.  It is a good idea to have the name of your travel agent, his/her phone number, and if they have a 24 hour help line that number as well.  It would be wise (especially if you suffer from a chronic condition that may flare up while on vacation), to have a “limited power of attorney” worked up for a family member back home.  Limited power of attorney can be of a specified duration (the length of your vacation), and what powers of yours this person can access (such as bank account).  Be aware some banks will not accept power of attorney forms, so check with and discuss with your bank branch president the fact that you are appointing someone to act in your place.  This will save problems trying to resolve issues over the phone.  It isn’t a big deal…just check with the bank branch you deal with about their policy and how you can make it work.  This is assuming you have funds in the bank at home!  If not don’t bother.

In some cases, it has been found that tour operator representatives make very good people to see in an emergency.  Often they are aware of many ways of helping you get through the problem.  In one case even USA affiliated credit cards were accepted by the tour operator to issue a cash advance.  In other cases tour operators have been able to arrange for a family member to bring money to a ‘home’ office and they then issue you the money in Cuba.  So check with your tour rep.  They also may be able to connect you to other avenues such as those discussed below.

In situations where a crime is the problem (traffic crime, or some other crime) it is best to get your embassy involved.  They often can negotiate on your behalf or suggest solutions or local representatives.  Fines, and debts must be paid before you will be allowed to leave Cuba, so gaining access to money may be an issue.  The embassy is not likely to get involved in small day-to-day minor problems, but larger issues make them a good place to contact for help.  Know the phone number of your embassy in Cuba.

Western Union has offices throughout Cuba.  Through an agreement with the Government of the USA this American company has brokered an agreement that allows them to operate in Cuba despite the embargo.  This means that you can have money sent to you via any Western Union office in you home country.  In other words you can call your family, or employer, or bank etc… and have them send money to you via the Western Union route.  There are fees, of course, but in an emergency, the issue is getting the money not the cost of getting it.  Your Tour Rep may know where the nearest Western Union office is, if not most Cuban BANKS (not exchange kiosks) do.

If you get into trouble in Cuba (financial, medical etc.) then you really need to contact Asistur. (Assistance to Tourists)  This agency is specifically meant for helping tourists in dire need.  Those whose luggage has been lost or stolen.  Those who suffer a death in their travel group.  Those with medical emergencies.  Also those who run out of money and need more. 

Below are some of the office locations and phone numbers for this company.  No prices for the services are quoted, but it is probable that some fee for use will be charged.  Their web site says they often broker issues with International Insurance companies, (in other words while the hospital may not want to deal with your trip medical coverage, this company may be able to broker coverage for you as a middle man).

Please take the time to read the information at the Asistur web site, and print off and carry with you the information.  No one expects a problem, but when you least expect it, that is when a person falls and breaks and arm, or has some other medical problem! 

The Assitur Web Site

HEADQUARTERS:     
      

Asistencia al Turista S.A., Prado No. 208, La Habana, Cuba.
Telephone: (53 7) 866 44 99.
Fax : (53 7) 866 80 87

24 hours Alarm Center (53 7) 866 85 27, 866 83 39, 866 89 20, 867 13 15
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Matanzas (Varadero )

Edificio Marbella, apto. 6 Avenida 1ra No. 4201, edificio Marbella, entre 42 y 43
Telefax: (53 45) 66 277
asisturvaradero@enet.c
-------------------------     

Cienfuegos:

Calle 54 (Boulevard) No. 3111 e/ 32 y 34
Telefax: (53 43) 55 1624
asisturcfg@cfg.intermar.cu     
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Ciego de Avila:

Cayo Coco, Centro de Talasoterapia
Telefax: (53 33) 30 8150
asisturcayococo@enet.cu
-------------------------

Holguin:

Centro Comercial TRD, Playa GuardaLaVaca
Telefax: (53 24) 30 148
asisturholguin@enet.cu
-------------------------     

Camaguey:

Calle Ignacio Agramonte No. 449 e/ Lopez Recio e Independencia,
Telefax: (53 32) 286317
asisturcmg@enet.cu
-------------------------     

Santiago de Cuba:                                                                                                           

Calle 4 e/ 7 y 9,Centro de Negocios, Reparto Vista Alegre,
Telefax: (53 22) 68 6128
asisturstago@enet.cu
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The following is information about hospitals and clinics with services for tourists.

The Círa García Hospital (Clínica Círa García, Calle 20 No. 4191, corner of Av. 41 and Playa; tel.: 204-2668 or 204-2489) offers health services reserved for foreigners.

Guarantee of payment must be provided in advance.

Other hospitals in Havana also have wards for foreigners, such as Hermanos Amejeiras Hospital, address: San Lázaro no. 701, Centro Habana; tel.: 537-877-6072 and 537-873-2934) and Comandante Manuel Fajardo Hospital, which has the only psychiatric ward for foreigners (address: Zapata y D. Vedado; tel.: 537-55-2466 and 537-33-3701).

Clinica Cira Garcia at Calle 20, #4101 and Avenida 41 in Miramar, tel: 204-2811

International "Servimed" clinics provide emergency medical care and are located in most major tourist areas around the island. Clinicas Internacionales / International Clinics (Clinics purpose is to assist health problems for tourists) .

Centro Internacional Oftalmologico "Camilo Cienfuegos"
Calle L No. 151 esq. 13
Vedado. Ciudad de La Habana

Telefonos: (53 7) 32-5554 > 32-5555 > 32-5597
Fax: (53 7) 33-3536 > 33-3578
Email: cirpcc@infomed.sld.cu
-------------------------------------

Clinica Central "Cira Garcia"
Calle 20 No. 4101 esq. 43 Miramar Playa. Ciudad de La Habana

Telefonos: (53 7) 24-2811al 14
Fax: (53 7) 24-1633
Email: ciragcu@infomed.sld.cu
-------------------------------------

Clinica Internacional de Playas del Este
Ave. de las Terrazas No. 36 Playa Santa Maria del Mar, Habana del Este.
Ciudad de La Habana

Telefonos: (53 7) 97-1032
-------------------------------------

Clinica Internacional de Varadero
Calle 61 y 1ra, Varadero. Matanzas

Telefonos: (53 5) 66-7710 al 11 > Urg 66-8611
Fax: (53 5) 66-7226
Email: clinica@clinica.var.cyt.cu
-------------------------------------
 
Clinica Internacional de Cienfuegos
Calle 37 No. 202 e/ 2 y 4 Punta Gorda. Cienfuegos

Telefonos: (53 432) 45-1622 > 45-1623
-------------------------------------

Clinica Internacional de Trinidad
Calle Lino Perez No. 130 esq. Reforma Trinidad. Sancti Spiritus

Telefonos: (53 419) 3391
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Clinica Internacional de Cayo Coco
Hotel Tryp Club Cayo Coco. Ciego de avila

Telefonos: (53 33) 301205 > 301300
-------------------------------------

Clinica Internacional de Santa Lucia
Residencia No. 4, Playa Santa Lucia. Camaguey

Telefonos: (53 32) 366203 Fax: (53 32) 365300
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Clinica Internacional de Guardalavaca
Calle 2da s/n Playa Guardalavaca. Holguin

Telefonos: (53 24) 3-0291
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Clinica Internacional Santiago de Cuba
Calle 13 y 145 Reparto Vista Alegre. Santiago de Cuba

Telefonos: (53 226) 42589 Fax: (53 226) 87001
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Your resort front desk should know about these, and be able to direct you to them, however it does not hurt to be prepared by having the information with you.  That way if they do not know who to call you can provide this information.

In closing!

No one wishes anyone anything other than a fantastic vacation, free of worry and free of hiccups that cause problems.  This article is not about scaring anyone from going to Cuba, or exciting a level of fear.  You are as safe or safer in Cuba than at home in many ways.  Cuba has a health system that is world famous, and extremely talented. 

If you have ever found yourself short of money, and found a way to get some sent to you that is not mentioned here, please edit this article and add to it!  This is not the be all and end all of what preparations you can or should make.  Many people have experience and expertise that would enhance this to be more comprehensive and please add to it!

Thank you.