Those hoping to spend, spend, spend will be disappointed in Cuba. There are a few luxury shops in Old Havana and in large hotels like the Habana Libre. Some offer tax-free purchases, but stock is generally uninspiring.
Cigars: Cuba makes the world’s finest cigars. Buy the real thing at factories such as
Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás in Havana, which also sells fabulously ornate cigar boxes. Cigars from street vendors will probably be fakes or factory rejects, and may be confiscated at the airport. Castro’s favorite brand (before he gave up) was
Cohiba, Ché Guevara favored
Montecristos, and before he put the blockade in place, JFK stocked up on
Upmans.
Rum: Santiago de Cuba was once home to the Bacardi family distillery, but
Havana Club is now the most famous Cuban rum. Good though it is, connoisseurs prefer
Varadero. The rich seven-year old variety is sipped like fine malt, while younger and lighter blends are used for cocktails.
Souvenirs and other gifts: Ché Guevara merchandise is everywhere. In the capital, perfumes in fine ceramic and glass bottles can be found at
Habana 1791.
Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 0900-1200.
Currency Information:CurrencyConvertible Peso (CUC; symbol CUC$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of CUC$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of CUC$1, and 20, 5, 2 and 1 centavos. In the 1990s, the US Dollar was in common use throughout Cuba, and in Cuba’s foreign trade. In response, the USA put caps and heavy taxes on family remittances and punished international banks for breaking the US embargo. Cuba decided to slowly get rid of its Dollar reserves, banning the currency from general use and introduced the replacement CUC as a ‘tourist dollar’ under its control. Cuban nationals continue to be paid in the Cuban Peso (CUP). In some tourist areas, the Euro is also accepted. Hard currency (ie CUCs not CUPs) must be used in most transactions.
Currency ExchangeMoney should be exchanged at state-run CADECAs (cheaper than banks) or international air- and seaports. Dollars attract a 10% surcharge on top of the normal commission (US citizens should bring Euros to exchange). All local currency must be exchanged again before leaving the country. Card transactions attract a surcharge (3 to 5%) - see below.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsMasterCard and Visa are increasingly accepted, provided they are not issued by a US bank, or a bank with links to the USA, but hefty fees are often added. ATMs are still rare, but cash can be obtained in banks with non-US Visa credit and Visa debit cards. Cirrus/Maestro is not accepted.
Traveller's ChequesUS Dollar, Pounds Sterling and other major currencies are accepted; US Dollar cheques issued by US banks are not accepted. It is recommended to take cheques in a currency other than US Dollars.
Banking HoursMon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1330-1500, Sat 0830-1030. Hours may vary and banks may be open all day in larger cities.
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Apr 07 |
| £1.00= | CUC$1.83 |
| $1.00= | CUC$0.93 |
| €1.00= | CUC$1.24 |
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