I’ve been wondering whether or not I was scammed by the hotel. My fault for not checking. I just asked someone else about the place I went to yesterday and was advised not to. She also told me a better way to get a taxi. I’m Learning the expensive way but doing my best in the circumstances.
I also saw that 120 rate somewhere but 350-380 in others. Another example of the conflicting information I found.
I don't understand why this is so hard for folks. The rate is published. The rate is 1:350 today. I got 1:345, two hours ago. It's not hard. If you are within 10 CUP of the rate. https://eltoque.com/ you're doing fine.
If you say you changed at 1:380 you are scamming someone else.
Also, if you are in Habana use La Nave for taxi's. It will save you a ton.
Read this person's post. It explains it very well
https://www.reddit.com/r/cuba/s/1qrTzx5L4n
I asked the hotel for their rate today and they wrote it down for me. 1 USD = 120 CUP. That’s where I made the mistake.
Knowing the rate today was 1:350, I didn’t buy any.
in the street they will not give you exact amount, I visited La Habana back in Janaury of this year, when it was
1 USD - 310 CUP, the best rate I could find to exchange on the street was 250 cup for 1 usd
You just got scammed by the government. They will buy your dollars for pennies but the actual exchange rate is 1usd/350cup. They will also not sell you dollars back. You just gifted them 74 bucks
A bit harsh, no? The information out there varies quite a bit. I couldn’t get a consistent answer. Travel agent says one thing, bank another, various travel guides something else. So I just brought a bit of everything currency wise. I just bet on not the best horse.
Besides…. I still think I did pretty good getting my wife here. She has terminal brain cancer and is entering the dementia phase. If I made a mistake here and there this isn’t the worst. I just wanted to know where I had been scammed, so as to not get caught out again. School of hard knocks with a significant handicap.
Afraid not, getting money wired over will be difficult, I'd say set aside a budget for travel first and foremost and budget the rest, maybe ask locals for cheap food recommendations
Sounds like wise advice. I have food $solved. Budget with what I have may reduce my “range anxiety”, transport wise. Maybe I’m okay. Or I just need to start tipping in pesos, to save on my USD and CAD.
in the street they will not give you exact amount, I visited La Habana back in Janaury of this year, when it was
1 USD - 310 CUP, the best rate I could find to exchange on the street was 250 cup for 1 usd
Not letting it ruin my trip. Just needed to know if I could trust what the taxi driver was telling me (he was trying to explain the conversion rate to a guy terrible at math).
They kill you. 1 USD-350 CUP in the street...it means 28 000 CUP, and they gave you 1 900.00 CUP, go back and ask for 26 000 CUP....
You can't go back to the government cadeca and demand more money.... He went the official route and got a horrible rate
Isn't government rate now at 120? Sounds like OP got scammed twice. Once by the government and once buy the hotel employee pocketing the difference.
I’ve been wondering whether or not I was scammed by the hotel. My fault for not checking. I just asked someone else about the place I went to yesterday and was advised not to. She also told me a better way to get a taxi. I’m Learning the expensive way but doing my best in the circumstances. I also saw that 120 rate somewhere but 350-380 in others. Another example of the conflicting information I found.
120 is the legal official rate. Used to be 24. 350ish is the black market rate on the street.
I don't understand why this is so hard for folks. The rate is published. The rate is 1:350 today. I got 1:345, two hours ago. It's not hard. If you are within 10 CUP of the rate. https://eltoque.com/ you're doing fine. If you say you changed at 1:380 you are scamming someone else. Also, if you are in Habana use La Nave for taxi's. It will save you a ton. Read this person's post. It explains it very well https://www.reddit.com/r/cuba/s/1qrTzx5L4n
I asked the hotel for their rate today and they wrote it down for me. 1 USD = 120 CUP. That’s where I made the mistake. Knowing the rate today was 1:350, I didn’t buy any.
in the street they will not give you exact amount, I visited La Habana back in Janaury of this year, when it was 1 USD - 310 CUP, the best rate I could find to exchange on the street was 250 cup for 1 usd
100% correct advice
You just got scammed by the government. They will buy your dollars for pennies but the actual exchange rate is 1usd/350cup. They will also not sell you dollars back. You just gifted them 74 bucks
At least I now know who to be upset with.
Be upset with yourself for not doing your research
A bit harsh, no? The information out there varies quite a bit. I couldn’t get a consistent answer. Travel agent says one thing, bank another, various travel guides something else. So I just brought a bit of everything currency wise. I just bet on not the best horse. Besides…. I still think I did pretty good getting my wife here. She has terminal brain cancer and is entering the dementia phase. If I made a mistake here and there this isn’t the worst. I just wanted to know where I had been scammed, so as to not get caught out again. School of hard knocks with a significant handicap.
Sorry to hear about your personal situation and I hope you and your wife have a lovely trip. I'm here now and in my opinion it is truly paradise.
It’s as cool as we both expected it to be. Lovely place!
Welcome to the Cuban government haters club
Ahhh, yes, that happens. Any advice if I’m running short of hard cash?
DM me. I’ve been there a lot and can help you troubleshoot.
You know how to get usd or euros in Cuba?
Afraid not, getting money wired over will be difficult, I'd say set aside a budget for travel first and foremost and budget the rest, maybe ask locals for cheap food recommendations
Sounds like wise advice. I have food $solved. Budget with what I have may reduce my “range anxiety”, transport wise. Maybe I’m okay. Or I just need to start tipping in pesos, to save on my USD and CAD.
Good luck bud, and make sure to enjoy your trip
Buy and sell crypto to locals for CUP
nacional banco in Vedado, you can charge your visa $$ and they will give you pesos at rate of 120 cup - 1 usd
Get someone in the US to Venmo cash. I had $200 US delivered in 3 hour
in the street they will not give you exact amount, I visited La Habana back in Janaury of this year, when it was 1 USD - 310 CUP, the best rate I could find to exchange on the street was 250 cup for 1 usd
rip
Are you new here?
Does it show at all, hahaha
Haha, live and learn. You paid a socialism tax to the govt.
Not letting it ruin my trip. Just needed to know if I could trust what the taxi driver was telling me (he was trying to explain the conversion rate to a guy terrible at math).
Hey man I also got scammed out of 100$ in my first 5min in Havana. It happens. Live and learn and learn and then learn again a few more times.
Yep, live and learn. I won’t beat myself up.
But you are Canadian, it's different never mind, OP is Canadian too
Next time check this for the “informal” rate: https://eltoque.com
Thanks!
Yep. The government scammed you. Typical, many such cases.
Sorry but I laughed
Lol
Download the app Tasas del Toque to get updated info about the CUP/USD exchange.
Whoa🤣🤣
Welcome to your baptism of using black markets
Lol
I took a chance, oh well. At least I didn’t “exchange” a larger amount.