Does anyone know wether American Express Stirling Travellers Cheques are accepted in Cuba??
Travellers cheques are a bad idea, you can change them only at the bank and it is often complicated to go to the bank if you are staying in a resort. Besides, there are long line. So bring cash, euro is OK, british pound probably OK too.
The important thing is that no American Express cheques or American Express cards are accepted ANYWHERE in Cuba. Other credit cards, provided they are not issued by an American bank, are usually accepted at your hotel to pay for excursions. That's about all it can be used for.
So bring all the cash you might need and exchange it for pesos at the airport when you arrive (best rate) or at your hotel. There is usually a safe in the hotel rooms, so there is no problem with cash if you stay in a hotel. Otherwise, bring a money-belt.
I do not recommend bringing US dollars, because there is a 10 % tax to exchange them. They do that to encourage people to bring in other currencies, because the US makes problems for them.
It is best to take the pound sterling, Dingwall.
Its best to take money and a credit card that is not issued by an American bank, e.g. you can't use MBNA (including Virgin and Abbey), Citi, American Express and Capital One as there all from American banks. You can't get cash back but you can pay for excursions on your card.
I know that Nationwide credit cards charge 0% for use Worldwide, the exchange rate is good and you get 59 days interest free. Assuming its not American.
Check on your travel insurance to see how much cash is insured. Its usually about ��250 on a basic policy.
Thanks granderousse & peachy-beachy, I wish my local post
office assisstant knew this earlier today! She gave me
American Express Travellers Cheques, so I guess it's another
trip there tomorrow to get them changed back to sterling. Only
7 Days to go & we'll be in Cuba!!!!!!
we just came back from Varadero last Sunday, the service charge on exchanging US has increased to 18%. The hotels are still posting 10%, but when you actually go to do it, they pull out new charts. We had to exchange some US due to an emergency and couldn't believe what we got charged. (We tried this at 2 different hotels)
They will not accept anything issued from a U.S. bank whether it is a credit card or travellers cheques. We always thought it was because Cuba did not want to accept but we learnt last trip that the reason Cuba does not accept U.S. issued credit cards or U.S. Travellers cheques is because they cannot get their money from the states!!!. Interesting.........................