Cuba - what money

April 19, 2005 6:18 AM

Going to Cuba at the beginning of May on my honeymoon. Simple (hopefully) question about currency. Should I take USD / Sterling / Euro's? Checked the thread on Lonely Planet but that just seems to give contradictory information.
posted by lloyder to Travel & Transportation around Cuba (6 answers total)

dollars are 1:1 with the Cuban currency and are taken by anyone.
posted by batboy at 6:20 AM on April 19, 2005

There is a 10% tax on US Dollars in Cuba. Take Euros if you don't have to pay to get them.
posted by eas98 at 7:11 AM on April 19, 2005

I'd go with batboy - dollars are *the* global currency. Can't imagine Cubans clamoring for Euros, but I could be wrong.
posted by forallmankind at 10:05 AM on April 19, 2005

Try to pick up some Cuban pesos when you're there, though, and figure out how to use them (local taxis, etc.) Much cheaper and much more fun. And of course don't bother with US credit cards and travelers checks.
posted by gottabefunky at 10:27 AM on April 19, 2005

When I was in Havana in 2000, they were all about the US$. This may or may not have changed.
posted by elisabeth r at 11:05 AM on April 19, 2005

Best answer: You can't spend USD as I understand it - you will need "convertable pesos" - which are valued slightly over the dollar. read here (*ungodly slow webserver)
posted by fourstar at 2:15 PM on April 19, 2005