Following is a list of Current Issues and Travel Report changes released in the last 24 hours. Please visit our Web site for details and more updates. If you do not have Internet access, please call 1 800 267- 6788 (in Canada and the U.S.) or (613) 944-6788. Current Issues: An entry concerning Cuba (general) was added. Beginning November 8, 2004, the US dollar will no longer be accepted to purchase goods or services in Cuba. All purchases will have to be made in the Cuban convertible peso (which will still be on a par with the US dollar). It will be possible to exchange US currency, but a 10% fee will be charged to exchange US dollars in cash. It will also be possible to exchange Canadian currency and traveller's cheques at major hotels and banks and at international airports for Cuban convertible pesos without the 10% commission fee. It will be possible to exchange Cuban convertible pesos back to US dollars at the international airports before leaving the country or to Canadian dollars if available. We recommend that you change your currency while in Cuba since it is not possible to exchange Cuban convertible pesos outside of Cuba. Keep receipts for the traveller's cheques separately. Credit cards will continue to be accepted in major establishments provided they are not issued by an American bank. American Express cards are difficult to use, regardless of country of issuance. Debit cards are not accepted. Visa or MasterCard holders may obtain cash advances (in Cuban convertible pesos or in US dollars) at banks, hotels, or Cadeca exchange houses. If you choose to cash US dollars, you should take into account that they will not be accepted in the country to pay for goods or services. In Havana, ATM machines allowing cash advances of Cuban convertible pesos from Visa cards are located at Hotel Parque Central, Hotel Cohiba, Hotel Nacional, and Miramar Trade Centre. In Varadero, Visa's ATMs are located at Plaza America and at banks. Canadian money transfers are not accepted by Western Union in Cuba. If you use an ATM, do so during business hours at a location inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency. It has not been determined yet if the airport tax that travellers are required to pay before boarding their flights will still be paid in US dollars or in Cuban convertible pesos (or if travellers will have a choice) beginning on November 8, 2004. The following Travel Report(s) were updated: Comoros Cuba Togo Country Travel Reports may be updated after 3 p.m. (EDT), so if you want to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information, please visit our Travel Updates page. - 30 - For more information, please contact: Consular Affairs Bureau (JPS) Foreign Affairs Canada 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2 Tel.: 1 800 267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.) or (613) 944-6788 Fax: (613) 996-2157 Internet: www.voyage.gc.ca E-mail: voyage@international.gc.ca
