Currency in Cuba

[matthew3468U]

We're going to Cuba on Wednesday. We were told to take US Dollars so I bought $900. We have been told today by friends who were are going with that they have been told by Thomas Cook NOT to take dollars - the only currency accepted is Cuban Pesos! This is really confusing as I have spoken to quite a few friends who have been and they said that US dollars were preffered.

HELP!

Thanks.

Matthew

[Grunty]

This may be a similar problem that I have had in other countries. They don't allow their own currency to leave the country, and they require dollars to exchange for local currency after you have arrived, thus boosting their currency reserves. The conflicting advice may be because the US Dollar is now much less popular than it was. Travelex do not quote a rate for Cuban pesos. Cuba would be very unusual if dollars were not accepted, but they may well accept British money just as easily.

[dzug]

Don't know how up to date this web site is bit it may help:

http://www.webhavana.com/main.php?lang=en&page =cuba_currency.php

Several other web sites say the same thing so you'll probably be OK. You'll just be charged a larger fee to change your $$ than you would be for �� or ��

The other advice I've seen is not to take travellers cheques issued by an American bank - eg AMEX, Visa

[Mac attack]

When I went we took US$ and they were accepted everywhere. Often change would be given in local curency though so you have to spend it as you can't take it home.

[hammerman]

I'm sure i read somewhere recently that anything "American" is still deeply frowned at due to Fidel Castro's anti-American stance.

I also read that now is the time to go because when he dies, the country will become far more Americanised. It is presently virtually untouched by tourism. I'm well jealous.