What is the currency of Cuba, is it easy to...

What is the currency of Cuba, is it easy to access cash and are credit cards accepted?

The currency is the Cuban peso, but you will only be able to get while in Cuba. Cash machines are few and far between so take your euros or sterling and change these for pesos at Cuban foreign-exchange bureaux or banks. Changing from Dollars attract a 10% surcharge. If you wish to take travellers cheques drawn on UK banks, expect the process to be a lengthy one. Euros are accepted as payment in some places including Varadero and Cayo Largo. There was a time when Dollars were accepted but that changed after November 2004.

Credit cards are accepted as long as they are not issued by a US bank. Commissions are hefty and range from 11%-13%. Amex is not accepted. A word of warning: check with your credit or debit card company before you travel as cards that have a connection to American finance companies cannot be used either. These include those issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland and Abbey National.

Sharron

2 February 2006