Cuba holiday - what currency do I need to take and can I buy a visa (am British) at the airport?

Question

I am going for 2 weeks at the end of Aug / beg of Sept and am planning to go to Havana, Santiago and Trinidad. Can anyone recommend some mid-priced hostels/hotels and anything that shouldn't be missed!

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

cuban peso is the currency, generally a visa is appied for through the countries embassy

Answer 2

factmonster.com

Answer 3

Whatever you do, don't bring US dollars - there is a 20% extra tax.. Recommend euros and definitely get a visa in advance. Good luck.

Answer 4

2 currencies Cuban Pesos (CUP) and Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC)

no u cant buy at aiport, but you can buy it online from here for £15

https://www.visacuba.co.uk/newsite/withC…

Answer 5

See below

Source(s):

http://www.islandsguide.co.uk/cuba.htm
http://www.islandsguide.co.uk/trinidadto…

Answer 6

We were in Cuba for a holiday in April this year and took sterling with us, most of the hotels have a little bank for you to exchange your sterling into Cuban Pesos, you get a proper rate and no rips offs, we were also able to use Mastercard and Visa card in our hotel too, I would suggest you popped into a good high street travel agent to get a visa or at least talk them and ask if you can get one once you get to Cuba, sorry we had ours as part and parcel of our holiday booking, we stayed in Cayo Coco and most of the hotels were pretty reasonably priced out there, Thomas Cook reps are very helpful even if you haven't booked your holiday with them there good at finding things for you, do a catamaran trip out to the coral reefs and do some snorkling, also take bread and banana with you as the fish love it and eat it right out of your hand, unfortunately we didn't get to Havana but a tip off everyone that did, do not buy the cigars off the street vendors as they are fake and you can't get them out of the country, did you know you also have to pay 25 Cuban Pesos to get back out of Cuba, just thought I would tell you that so you can budget for it, we didn't do any other trip but the catamaran but like I say all the reps have lists of places to see and things to do so get a bit of advice off them but use Thomas Cook again if your booking trips as the rest rip you off big time as there on commision, you will have a fantastic time as the Cubans are beautiful amazing friendly people, use mossie spray on your legs at night to stop the sandflies bitting you too and don't forget the anti histameans either, have a fab time wish I was going back myself but have to wait till next Easter.

Answer 7

I went in March. The recommendation is to just take sterling cash. Credit cards carry a 12% surcharge. Any travellers cheques issued on a US bank won't be accepted eg. American Express or Visa. I took MasterCard travellers cheques and had no problems. I believe that Barclays sell these. You change to convertible pesos over there. I booked a package so the tourist card was included and came with my tickets, not sure how you would get one otherwise. Enjoy yourself, it was a fab place. Havana is fascinating just because so many of the buildings are dilapidated and the old American classic cars and tuc tucs are ace!

Answer 8

Try to get a visa in advance if you can. You can get one in 24 hours but it may cost a little more. Don't think you can get one once your there. Usually, you can get one from where you are leaving. I know if you go thru Cancun, and probably several other Caribbean islands, you can get a temporary visa within 15-20 minutes at the airport before you leave for Cuba. You might want to check with the airlines you are flying on to see if you can get one from your airport or a major one enroute.

Buy money in advance if you can, otherwise, you can exchange it over there. As long as you are a U.S. citizen, you can use your credit card for a minimal charge. Check with your local travel agency; preferrably a big one like Thomas Cook, etc.

Answer 9

just back from cuba - the travel company provided the visas - they cost £15 each. Take euros or english sterling as you cannot get cuban money abroad. Once there you can change it into Convertible pesos (tourists are not allowed to use the local currency)
Wander around the parc central in havana, walk along the malecon and have a cocktail in the nacional hotel. Havana is amazing, wish I was back there