Cuba baffles Russian tourists: doubts about paying in dollars or card
HAVANA, Apr. 8th. Cuba’s exchange rates have baffled Russian tourists in a scenario of strong dollarization and increased inflation on the island. If they pay with the Mir card, the payment method that replaced Visa and Master Card when Russia invaded Ukraine, 100 rubles are 26 Cuban pesos, while the dollar can be exchanged for up to 340 Cuban pesos.
“At this rate, a Russian will be happy to exchange dollars in cash for local money in any market or in a store. This is cause for reflection for a tourist who faces the dilemma of whether it is worth taking dollars in cash to Cuba or if a bank card is enough,” says Tourdom, a Russian specialized media.
The Russian tourist generally travels on an all-inclusive plan, where he does not need to use the Mir card or spend cash. «You only need to spend money on rum, cigarettes, coffee and excursions. Why do you need a card, considering that mainly cash is used? If there is Mir, it’s fine; if not, also,” a Russian tourist commented to Tourdom, as reported by Diario de Cuba.
As reported by REPORTUR.mx, Cuba recently received the first tourist flight from the Russian oil company Rosneft of the three it has scheduled. The airline Nordwind Airlines was in charge of transporting 389 passengers of the company.
