How can I find an ATM card usable in Cuba, by a US Citizen?
It is apparently quite easy to enter Cuba (illegally) as a U.S. citizen, by flying from a third country.
But according to Wikitravel, it can be tricky using a credit card while there:
For Americans, all credit and debit cards from any US financial institution will not work in Cuba. For everyone else, any credit card issued by a foreign bank with a US parent company or US processing firm will also be blocked. In most cases, International VISA- and Mastercard-branded global payment (debit) and credit cards will work, but only if completely unaffiliated with any US subsidiary or US-owned clearinghouse. (emphasis added)
How can I find such a bank, which will allow a U.S. citizen to open an account?
And I should add, if it makes a difference: It should be possible to open an account with such a bank remotely (by Internet ideally, but acceptably by phone, or mail).
Best Answer
I have a friend of a friend who used a prepaid AMIGO TRAVEL CLUB card in Cuba. They are a bank in Antigua and he was able to open an account online as an American citizen. I think this also involved e-mailing them a copy of his passport and driver's license. Once the account is open, you can charge the account by wire transfer from your bank and then withdraw the money using the card.
I think these kind of institutions are pretty sketchy and personally I wouldn't trust them with my money. Their website has statements like "our bank is a member of a well-known international card association which operates a world-wide network of ATMs" without naming the network which indicates to me that perhaps they are not authorized to be issuing these cards. If anything goes wrong, expect to simply lose your money. Also, by opening an account like this you are leaving a paper trail that could be used to prove that you spent money in Cuba.
Unfortunately for Americans traveling to Cuba, the only realistic way to bring money is in cash (Euros get a better rate then dollars which have extra fees). Traveler's checks are also a possibility as some banks have been exchanging them (even American Express checks in US dollars), but this can be a hassle and will probably only work in Havana. I would use them only as a backup because of the hassle and also because the situation can change and I wouldn't want to be stuck if it turns out to be impossible to exchange them.
Updated: As if to prove my point, the Amigo Travel Club site that I linked to appears to be gone now (August 2013) and the domain is for sale. Caveat emptor!
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Do American debit cards work in Cuba?
No, credit cards and debit cards issued by U.S. banks cannot be used in Cuba. Due to the official embargo, U.S. issued debit/credit cards are not recognized by Cuba banks. It's necessary to bring a sufficient amount of cash with you to cover the entire duration of time that you'll be in Cuba.What bank cards can be used in Cuba?
Visa, Euro and Mastercard are widely accepted, but US card issuers like American Express and Diners' Club are still blocked. You should check with your card issuer to ensure it can be used in Cuba. There is normally a commission for using a credit card at around 3% for both purchases and cash withdrawals.Can I use a prepaid Visa card in Cuba?
Prepaid credit cards as a rule will not work in Cuba.Do ATM cards work internationally?
Yes, your debit card and credit card are accepted internationally! If your ATM card is linked to a checking account, it can also be used at ATMs internationally.How to Fill out a Cuban Visa in 60 Seconds
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Answer 2
Australian issued credit and debit cards (MasterCard and Visa) work just fine in Cuba. It's quite straightforward to get a pre-paid card and you can be anonymous if you choose. Alternatively, you can register your card online with the issuer and use their online service to top up the card.
Pre-paid cards can be purchased from a number of issuers, and a popular one is Australia Post. The "Load & Go Travel Card" is probably the ideal solution.
http://auspost.com.au/travel-id/load-and-go-travel-card.html
These can be purchased at any Australia Post outlet. If you're not in Australia, maybe ask someone here to buy one for you and post it to you. You can then charge it up online with Euros, which is the preferred currency in Cuba.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: William Fortunato, William Fortunato, Samson Katt, William Fortunato