Havana

What-where is alamar? I've been to Havana multiple times, but am not sure what you're referring to. The Soviet style apartment are, naturally, massive. But what are you referring to exactly?

Just clarifying. Thanks for the post!

[QUOTE=BeersTerry;2073175]Ya, the stretch of road passing Alamar has some mighty fine lookers waiting for the buses, but then again, there is a fairly high population concentration living in those soviet style apartments.
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[QUOTE=MjTravelLove;2073557]What-where is alamar? I've been to Havana multiple times, but am not sure what you're referring to. The Soviet style apartment are, naturally, massive. But what are you referring to exactly?

Just clarifying. Thanks for the post![/QUOTE]Alamar is to the east. You must go through the tunnel and pass the Panamerican stadium. If you Google "Alamar, Cuba", a map should show exactly where.

I know the area well because one of the girls I talk to lives out there. I've been a bunch of times. Nothing really near those soviet buildings other than some decent Cuban restaurants here and there. Even further east is a popular beach; Playa Del Este and Megano.

I brought it up because every time I drive there, I always see beautiful women in and around that area. Those buildings are crammed together and there is high traffic there, but everyone knows each other.

Got it. Thanks!

[QUOTE=Hyrul;2073879]Alamar is to the east. You must go through the tunnel and pass the Panamerican stadium. If you Google "Alamar, Cuba", a map should show exactly where.

I know the area well because one of the girls I talk to lives out there. I've been a bunch of times. Nothing really near those soviet buildings other than some decent Cuban restaurants here and there. Even further east is a popular beach; Playa Del Este and Megano.

I brought it up because every time I drive there, I always see beautiful women in and around that area. Those buildings are crammed together and there is high traffic there, but everyone knows each other.[/QUOTE]

Does anyone here know the conversion rate of the Canadian dollar to the Cuban CUC? I am wondering if it is advantageous to convert US dollars to Canadian dollars before going to Cuba.

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2074894]Does anyone here know the conversion rate of the Canadian dollar to the Cuban CUC? I am wondering if it is advantageous to convert US dollars to Canadian dollars before going to Cuba.[/QUOTE]You can figure about a 3 percent service charge on each end. Meaning when you change USA To Canadian and then again in Cuba when you change Canadian to CUC. So you'll be getting about 94 CUC to your original USA Dollar. The unofficial exchange (street rate) is about 93 to 95 depending on the day. Advantage to street exchange is there are no lines like there are at the Banco de Cambio and you don't need to carry your passport. Disadvantage is you need to know a reputable source or risk counterfeit bills. If you need CUC immediately upon landing at airport you will definitely do better with Canadian dollars or euros because at the airport exchange booth you would be required to pay the 10 percent USA Dollar penalty on top of the 3 percent service charge. Personally I only use street exchange anymore and always bring home extra CUC for next trip.

[QUOTE=VegasCrazyGuy;2074909] Personally I only use street exchange anymore and always bring home extra CUC for next trip.[/QUOTE]Good point, that's what I have been doing. I do not like airports and like to get out of there ASAP. Screw waiting in line just to get screwed at the "airport exchange counter".

Like you said, you can get anywhere from 90 CUC - 95 CUC exchange on the streets. I also carry several "one dollar bills" for my taxi driver who loves to collect them LOL.

[QUOTE=TyDown;2074930]Good point, that's what I have been doing. I do not like airports and like to get out of there ASAP. Screw waiting in line just to get screwed at the "airport exchange counter".

Like you said, you can get anywhere from 90 CUC - 95 CUC exchange on the streets. I also carry several "one dollar bills" for my taxi driver who loves to collect them LOL.[/QUOTE]Just got back from Havana last night and there is good news and bad fellas.

I use three different street vendors for exchanging American dollars and usually get. 95 for a crisp 100 dollar bill. Well now the street vendors have banded together and are now only giving. 92. If you have 20 dollar bills they are offering. 90.

The good is the weekend of August 17-28 is festival and everyone is out at night looking good and having a great time.

[QUOTE=MrGogo;2074938]Just got back from Havana last night and there is good news and bad fellas.

I use three different street vendors for exchanging American dollars and usually get. 95 for a crisp 100 dollar bill. Well now the street vendors have banded together and are now only giving. 92. If you have 20 dollar bills they are offering. 90.

The good is the weekend of August 17-28 is festival and everyone is out at night looking good and having a great time.[/QUOTE]There seems to be a trend of this happening. I was in Camaguey last month and could only get 90 per crisp 100 from all the same people that happily gave me 95 in June. Five different sources. "Too many dollars here now" is what they all told me. Last week I emailed a contact in Havana and he told me it was currently 93. If it's down to 92 or lower it makes sense to get euros or Canadian if the fee is 3 percent or less.

[QUOTE=VegasCrazyGuy;2075013]... Last week I emailed a contact in Havana and he told me it was currently 93. If it's down to 92 or lower it makes sense to get euros or Canadian if the fee is 3 percent or less.[/QUOTE]It depends on how many CUC's you get for one Canadian dollar. That is the reason I asked the exchange rate of Canadian dollars to CUC's, but haven't received an answer. Right now, the Canadian dollar is worth less than US $. 80.

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2075022]It depends on how many CUC's you get for one Canadian dollar. That is the reason I asked the exchange rate of Canadian dollars to CUC's, but haven't received an answer. Right now, the Canadian dollar is worth less than US $. 80.[/QUOTE]Hey FL,

If I had access to the Loonies without having to pay a commission this would be a no brainier, that is taking Loonies.

Reason being when you take Loonies you are NOT penalized with the 10% gravamen in case of taking USD.

Problem for me here in the states is that for me to get my hands on Loonies I have to pay a commission to get them and then if I have some leftover have to pay another commission to exchange them back to USD. So, it's a no go for that reason.

Mondo.

ps Btw, I'll be visiting next month and will update here on the exchange rate (what I'll get there for USD)

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2075022]It depends on how many CUC's you get for one Canadian dollar. That is the reason I asked the exchange rate of Canadian dollars to CUC's, but haven't received an answer. Right now, the Canadian dollar is worth less than US $. 80.[/QUOTE]Hey Fun Luvr. The CUC exchange with foreign currencies is pegged to the US dollar exchange with those currencies. So if you can buy 120 Canadian with 100 US you will be able to exchange that 120 for about 97 CUC in Cuba. If the US / Canada ratio changes to 110 Canadian for 100 US then you'll be able to exchange 110 for about 97 CUC. So you pay appx 3 percent for the exchange in Cuba plus whatever fee you are charged to change from US to Canadian (probably also about 3 percent). So bottom line the ratio between US and Canadian dollars is irrelevant unless it changes much before you arrive Cuba to exchange those Canadian to CUC.

[QUOTE=VegasCrazyGuy;2075230]Hey Fun Luvr. The CUC exchange with foreign currencies is pegged to the US dollar exchange with those currencies. So if you can buy 120 Canadian with 100 US you will be able to exchange that 120 for about 97 CUC in Cuba. If the US / Canada ratio changes to 110 Canadian for 100 US then you'll be able to exchange 110 for about 97 CUC. So you pay appx 3 percent for the exchange in Cuba plus whatever fee you are charged to change from US to Canadian (probably also about 3 percent). So bottom line the ratio between US and Canadian dollars is irrelevant unless it changes much before you arrive Cuba to exchange those Canadian to CUC.[/QUOTE]Hey Vegas.

Ok so if I change $500 us to $600 Canadian, that's what Wells Fargo is giving me.

How much would I get for $100 Canadian to Cuc.

Thanks.

It is much better to change to Euro, that is usually 1 to 1 in CUC, you can also bring dollars to buy trinkets in the street and is about. 90 to 1 cuc. Got much better exchange rate with Euros.

[QUOTE=Havana927;2075266]Hey Vegas.

Ok so if I change $500 us to $600 Canadian, that's what Wells Fargo is giving me.

How much would I get for $100 Canadian to Cuc.

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Havana927;2075266]Hey Vegas.

Ok so if I change $500 us to $600 Canadian, that's what Wells Fargo is giving me.

How much would I get for $100 Canadian to Cuc.

Thanks.[/QUOTE]About 75 CUC after 3% service charge.

[URL]http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=100&From=CAD&To=CUC[/URL]

Thanks Mondo707 and VegasCrazyGuy. I would have to get the Canadian dollars from my bank or from an exchange place, so I would only save a little or none at all by going Canadian. I'll stick with greenbacks since I will not be spending much in Cuba.