The Jews of Cuba

Food.

Can I get kosher food in Cuba? (Let's deal with the most important question first.)

No. You can travel kosher-style or bring canned foods. If kosher-style, always check to make sure the beans are cooked vegetarian style. Be careful about soups and all other side dishes since Cubans like to use pork in just about everything.

Can I eat dinner at the synagogues on Shabbat?

Depending on the synagogue, and the time of the year, you can find from a snack to full dinner. You will always be welcome to join the community dinner. Contact them in advance, however.

Money.

Where do I change my dollars into pesos?

You can change dollars into pesos at CADECA (Casa de Cambio / Exchange House), at some banks, and at hotel front desks. Don't change with people in the street, it's not legal. Lately the exchange rate has been stable at 1 dollar = 25 pesos. Dollars cannot be used anymore for purchasing items in Cuba. You must change money. When changing money, you will be given tourist convertible pesos rather than the national peso. It is traded at one CUC for each dollar. However, there is a 20% surcharge. If you change other national currencies to CUC, you will be charged 8 to 10% surcharge. Tourists changing pesos back to dollars do so at 1 to1.

I've heard there are two different kind of pesos. Is this true?

There is a little confusion regarding currencies in Cuba. There are two currencies in Cuba now:
Convertible Cuban Peso (CUC) - 1 ccp = 1 usd
Domestic Cuban Peso (CUP) - 25 cup = 1 usd

The CUC is the equivalent of 80% of an American dollar. The Domestic Cuban Peso (CUP) is used by the population to buy all goods and pay all services. It s also used by the government owned companies. When you visit an exchange house with dollars (usd) you leave with pesos (cup). You can use pesos (cup) to buy in the farmers' market, or pay public transportation. Most of the tourists don't use pesos, just CUCs. But certain type of tourists enjoy buying in the farmers' marker, or taking buses instead of taxis, and they'll need pesos. You can use pesos also to buy books. 90% of goods in Cuba can be obtained with tourist pesos.

How much money should I anticipate spending each day, for everything?

If you are staying at a "tourist hotel" about $200 per day should be enough. If you are the type traveling with a backpack, staying in private houses, and buying food in pesos, from $30 to $50 depending on where you are. (Cities are more expensive.) Buying a package tour will of course reduce the amount of cash needed daily. Carrying traveler's checks is better than carrying cash, but have enough cash for meals and taxis. You may cash travelers checks drawn on U.S. banks at most banks or hotel front desks.

Can I use my credit card?

If you are a citizen of the U.S. you cannot use your credit card(s) in Cuba. Only non-U.S. credit cards are accepted. Banks and hotels accept Travelers Checks from all countries. It doesn't matter what your citizenship is for using credit cards in Cuba. Some people have bank accounts in England, Mexico, Canada, Israel, etc. Even if they are U.S. citizens, they can use these cards. However, there are very few establishments that accept credit cards.

Where can I use my non-U.S. credit card?

Mostly any bank and stores in shopping malls in major cities will accept non-U.S. credit cards.

Where can I cash my travelers checks?

Banks and hotels. Banks are less friendly, but you'll pay less.

Where can I cash my American Express travelers checks which are from a United States bank?

There are many banks which will cash these checks. One is at the Hotel Nacional on the mezzanine. There are also many hotels which will cash AmEx checks from a United States bank.