this might help, it was on the news in Nov.
as of Nov.5 2004, Cuba is no longer accepting American Dollars!!
Travellers must bring foreign currancy such as Canadian or Euro's!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3953291.stm
_____________________________________________
Cuba says it is to ban commercial transactions in dollars from 8 November in
response to tighter US sanctions.
Dollars were made legal tender in 1993 following an economic crisis sparked
by the collapse of the Soviet Union.
But dollars will no longer be accepted in shops and other businesses, and
tourists and Cubans exchanging dollars will have to pay a 10% commission.
Cuban leader Fidel Castro appeared on TV to endorse the measure, despite
suffering a bad fall last Wednesday.
"The empire is determined to create more difficulties for us," he said,
referring to the US.
In May, the US announced it was tightening its embargo on Cuba, with
measures including capping the remittances sent to the island by Cubans in
the US.
In response, said the Cuban central bank in a statement, dollars would no
longer be accepted in shops and businesses.
They will have to be exchanged for "convertible pesos" - a local currency
that can be used in special shops on the island but has no value
internationally - for a 10% charge.
Following the economic crash of the 1990s, and the legalisation of the
dollar, many Cubans have become dependant on dollars for many goods,
including some basic necessities.
The Cuban government closed down so-called dollar stores in immediate
response to the US measures in May, but most reopened two weeks later.
Remittances hit
Mr Castro said the measure did not signal the outlawing of the dollar.
Cubans will still be allowed to hold an unlimited amount of dollars, and
they will be able to exchange them without charge until the new law comes
into effect in two weeks.
But it will mean an additional burden on Cubans abroad who send remittances
in dollars - pumping up to $1bn into the Cuban economy each year.
In his message, Mr Castro urged Cubans to tell relatives to send money in
other currencies, such as euros, British pounds or Swiss francs.
Our correspondent in Havana, Stephen Gibbs, says this measure will enable it
to receive and control far more of the hundreds of millions of dollars that
tourists and Cubans living abroad bring or send here every year.
It was Mr Castro's first public appearance since last Wednesday's fall, when
he fractured his knee and right arm.
Mr Castro, sporting a royal blue sling, joked about the fall in his TV
appearance to back the new measure.
"I recommend you all take care descending the stairs," he said at the end of
the broadcast.
--
"When one realizes that life is worthless
he either commits suicide or travels. ~ Edward Dahlberg
LIFE IS AN ATTITUDE!
http://www.globosapiens.net/ta-shy
"Brian" wrote in message
news:0ABxd.6907$Z%3.256008@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Yes...you can exchange at the airport or hotel. But as far as I know you
> cannont use Canadian currency for tips, etc.
>
> Brian
>
>
> "Dave Dvorak" wrote in message
> news:girbs0tj8gj426tlpjfoion5bl8n8haorn@4ax.com...
>>I just booked a last minute trip to Varadero and since I have never
>> been to Cuba am wondering if I can exchange Canadian cash for
>> Cuban convertible pesos?
>> Can I use Canadian cash for tips, etc.
>> Thanks,
>> Dave
>
>
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