Due to go to Cuba in May, main concern is that need to take cash, how much would you recommend for 2 weeks. Not used to travelling without credit cards! My debit card may work, but understand no guarantees in the banks.
Cheers
Debbie[/b]
Hi Debbie
I was in Cuba in March and loved it! Like you, I wasn't too keen on carrying too much cash, but once there I felt perfectly safe about it. All hotel rooms had a safe, and I didn't need very much money each day. You will need about £100 for the extra trips, if you want to go on them. The most expensive one is the Club Tropicana night out in Havana, but since it was probably a once-in-a-lifetime occasion I felt it was worth it. I also spent a bit buying CD's.
Excluding the trips and the CD's I spent about £300 over the fortnight, which I felt was very reasonable, as I bought a few nice souvenirs, the compulsory Che t-shirt and a couple of bottles of rum with that!! A few nights are spent in all-inclusive hotels where you will spend hardly anything at all. I took more money than that with me and it was nice to come home with some still in my pocket! It really depends on how much you want to spend on buying souvenirs, sampling the cocktails, etc. One or two people used their Cash Cards but there weren't that many places to use them. Cash is really the best alternative. Most hotels have exchange facilities and we were advised not to use the exchange desk at the airport as there was a very long queue, which in Cuba translates into a very, very long wait!
For souvenirs we visited a fantastic indoor market in Havana at the end of the trip, and there is also a nice outdoor market in Trinidad.
I hope you enjoy your trip. It certainly allows you to see a lot of Cuba, with great company. I would love to go back again, and perhaps spend more time in Havana.
Jessie
