TT - Cuba - Money in Cuba

Hi,
I have read several messages about traveller's cheques and money in Cuba. I am going to Cuba for 2 months this summer and if I shouldn't bring US traveller's cheques, what other options than cash do I have? I don't want to bring a lot of cash with me.
I am having a hard time getting a response from the Cuban Interests Sections in DC regarding my student visa. Does anyone have similar problem here?
About flights, I tried to book one through Miami, but they told me that I have to have my student visa first in order to make reservation? I am leaving in the beginning of June, but I haven't had any luck with my visa yet though. Is there other option to reserve a ticket first and then purchase it later? Has anyone gone through Miami before? I've heard from some that even if I have the US license, it is still better to go through a third country? Is that true? Do US government give you a lot of crap when you come back? Thanks a lot.

I agree, 2 months worth of cash is a lot. Why don't you open a Cuban bank account?

Many people with licenses still travel through a third country because sometimes it's cheaper and less hassle.

Cheers,
Terry

you can get "thomas cook" travellers checks that are accepted in cuba- thomas cook is kinda like the british version of american express- i don't think it's worth trying to open a bank account in cuba- i'll guaruntee it's a royal pain in the ass. as for getting to cuba- i went through the dominican republic, it was quite easy- i had to buy a tourist visa (for around $10) at the time i booked my flight, but it was no different from buying any other ticket really. hope this helps.

I haven't taken direct flights from the US but I know many C/As who have. You have to report ridiculously early and baggage limits are pretty strictly enforced. Like Terry I know many C/As who fly through third countries mainly Cancun and Nassau. As the previous poster noted you can usually just walk up to the counter in the third country and buy a ticket to Cuba along with the tourist card which is good for thirty days. The direct charter flights are almost exclusively used by experienced C/As going to visit family.

I believe some people have posted in the past that the Cuban student visa is obtained more easily once in Cuba. Have you already made your arrangements for study with the Cuban university you plan to attend? If so I would think that they should be able to advise you on what you need for the student visa.

True, Thomas Cooke Travelers Cheques work in Cuba (as do Barclays, Visa, BankAmerica, Citicorps, and sometimes even AMEX) but since you can't get them replaced if you they're lost or stolen, what good are they? On top of this you're hit with a big frigging commission every time you cash one. I don't see the point.

For American travelers (the only people with money problems - everyone else can get credit card advances quickly and easily) who are there for the short term, simply bring cash, and use lots of common sense.

For long term American travelers like the original poster (especially a student who will be one place most of the time), I still think a bank account is the simplest answer.

As for hassle, my bank account at Banco Financiero Internacional took less than 30 minutes to set-up. No big deal...

Cheers,
Terry

Hi,
Thank you guys. I am actually will be in a hospital, and the director told me that I need to get a student visa, so.... I am a nursing student, so I am not sure if that make any difference at all. My advisor has sent an email to the director over there, and hopefully we will hear from him soon. Right now, I think I will just book a flight through Cancun and get a 30-day tourist visa first and then change it over there unless the director told me something different. I'll also check with him about the money as well. Thanks again.

You can have a Transcard debit card in Cuba and send money to yourself. Then you can pick the Transcard up after arriving to Havana.
Try www.cash2cuba.com

OK have only about 12 days in Cuba. We're going to do a few days of partying in Havana and are then looking to go to either Maria La Gorda or Caya Largo, for a week or so of chilling, swimming, walking, diving etc. etc. So which is the best choice?? Am slightly worried that Caya Largo is a bit touristy, true?? And am slightly conserned that Maria La Gorda is a bit remote without loads to do. Also is getting there by public transport a huge hassle. Any advice much appreciated. Ta.

Carlitosway [Tue 7 May, 21:32] PST (Gumly Gumly -17)	Money in Cuba - (7 replies) Hi, I have read several messages about traveller's cheques and money in Cuba. I am going to Cuba for 2 months this summer and if I shouldn't bring US traveller's cheques, what other options than cash do I have? I don't want to bring a lot of cash with me. I am having a hard time getting a response from the Cuban Interests Sections in DC regarding my student visa. Does anyone have similar problem here? About flights, I tried to book one through Miami, but they told me that I have to have my student visa first in order to make reservation? I am leaving in the beginning of June, but I haven't had any luck with my visa yet though. Is there other option to reserve a ticket first and then purchase it later? Has anyone gone through Miami before? I've heard from some that even if I have the US license, it is still better to go through a third country? Is that true? Do US government give you a lot of crap when you come back? Thanks a lot.
CheersTerry [Wed 8 May, 09:13] PST (Gumly Gumly -17)	1. $$ I agree, 2 months worth of cash is a lot. Why don't you open a Cuban bank account? Many people with licenses still travel through a third country because sometimes it's cheaper and less hassle. Cheers, Terry
liam_oconnell [Wed 8 May, 10:56] PST (Gumly Gumly -17)	2. travellers checks you can get "thomas cook" travellers checks that are accepted in cuba- thomas cook is kinda like the british version of american express- i don't think it's worth trying to open a bank account in cuba- i'll guaruntee it's a royal pain in the ass. as for getting to cuba- i went through the dominican republic, it was quite easy- i had to buy a tourist visa (for around $10) at the time i booked my flight, but it was no different from buying any other ticket really. hope this helps.
Altahabana [Wed 8 May, 13:40] PST (Gumly Gumly -17)	3. Licensed flights I haven't taken direct flights from the US but I know many C/As who have. You have to report ridiculously early and baggage limits are pretty strictly enforced. Like Terry I know many C/As who fly through third countries mainly Cancun and Nassau. As the previous poster noted you can usually just walk up to the counter in the third country and buy a ticket to Cuba along with the tourist card which is good for thirty days. The direct charter flights are almost exclusively used by experienced C/As going to visit family. I believe some people have posted in the past that the Cuban student visa is obtained more easily once in Cuba. Have you already made your arrangements for study with the Cuban university you plan to attend? If so I would think that they should be able to advise you on what you need for the student visa.

CheersTerry [Wed 8 May, 14:19] PST (Gumly Gumly -17)	4. Travelers Cheques are dumb... True, Thomas Cooke Travelers Cheques work in Cuba (as do Barclays, Visa, BankAmerica, Citicorps, and sometimes even AMEX) but since you can't get them replaced if you they're lost or stolen, what good are they? On top of this you're hit with a big frigging commission every time you cash one. I don't see the point. For American travelers (the only people with money problems - everyone else can get credit card advances quickly and easily) who are there for the short term, simply bring cash, and use lots of common sense. For long term American travelers like the original poster (especially a student who will be one place most of the time), I still think a bank account is the simplest answer. As for hassle, my bank account at Banco Financiero Internacional took less than 30 minutes to set-up. No big deal... Cheers, Terry
Carlitosway [Wed 8 May, 23:14] PST (Gumly Gumly -17)	5. Thank you Hi, Thank you guys. I am actually will be in a hospital, and the director told me that I need to get a student visa, so.... I am a nursing student, so I am not sure if that make any difference at all. My advisor has sent an email to the director over there, and hopefully we will hear from him soon. Right now, I think I will just book a flight through Cancun and get a 30-day tourist visa first and then change it over there unless the director told me something different. I'll also check with him about the money as well. Thanks again.
localcuban [Thu 9 May, 11:24] PST (Gumly Gumly -17)	6. About money You can have a Transcard debit card in Cuba and send money to yourself. Then you can pick the Transcard up after arriving to Havana. Try www.cash2cuba.com
Hughmeister [Sun 12 May, 14:55] PST (Gumly Gumly -17)	7. Maria La Gorda or Caya Largo? OK have only about 12 days in Cuba. We're going to do a few days of partying in Havana and are then looking to go to either Maria La Gorda or Caya Largo, for a week or so of chilling, swimming, walking, diving etc. etc. So which is the best choice?? Am slightly worried that Caya Largo is a bit touristy, true?? And am slightly conserned that Maria La Gorda is a bit remote without loads to do. Also is getting there by public transport a huge hassle. Any advice much appreciated. Ta.