Best form of money in Cuba

by Nigel
(England)

What's the best way to take money, cash, or travellers cheques or credit card travelling across Cuba Havana, Santiago, Santa Clara and Trindad as worried won't find a suitable bank to change money or be able to use credit card for purchases.

Answer by Vic Webmaster Havana-guide.com

In Cuba "cash is King", I do not recommend Traveller cheques, they can cause trouble, not every bank will accept Traveller cheques. They compare the signature on the cheques with the signature on your passport, a slight difference can be sufficient to refuse your cheques. My recommendation is to take enough cash with you at least for one week. I usually take cash and one or two creditcards with me. Divide your cash over two or more pockets. Use your credit cards only in banks (safety) note that there are very few money terminals in Cuba. In most shops, shopping centers, restaurants, credit cards are not accepted due to the absence of terminals.
Note that you can only import 5,000 dollar in cash in Cuba (or equivalent in another currency), when you carry more cash you have to complete a Customs declaration.
Never exchange money on the streets or in bars, counterfeit banknotes are circulating.
General advice: keep a low profile with money in Cuba, don't pay each time with a 50 Cuc bank note, for some Cubans a 50 Peso convertible bank note equals half a year salary.
Money in Cuba