Shopping

Although improving with the arrival of craft markets, Cuba is not the best place for shopping, with the exception, of course, of the much sought after cigars and the very acceptable rum (the Bacardi family originated from Cuba). All tourist hotels have at least one souvenir shop, where prices are in US Dollars. Similar souvenir shops have sprung up in the last few years in Old Havana. Again, payment is in US Dollars and visitors should note that credit cards, except American Express and other American cards, are accepted. Shopping malls have now arrived in Havana and the modern Tiendas Carlos Tercero, Avenida Salvador Allende, is stuffed with clothes, shoes and beauty products.

For designer items, as well as a fashion show, La Maison, Calle 16 701, in Miramar, is the place to go. It sells designer clothes, jewellery and cosmetics.

Cuba will be forever associated with cigars. Long acknowledged as producing the best in the world, Havana cigars are expensive internationally but much cheaper on home soil. Good-quality cigars can be bought at Casa del Tabaco, Calle Oficios 53, or at the factory Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas, Calle Industria 520. Local rum and Cuban coffee are also good buys and travel well.Of course, many visitors to the island want to take home a reminder of Cuban rhythms and there is no shortage of CDs and cassettes in all tourist shops.

Other common souvenirs include musical instruments, traditional dolls and pâpier-maché items, as well as Che Guevara t-shirts, which are popular again. Local crafts and jewelry are also popular.

Cubans use coconut fibre, seashells and seeds in the manufacture of many local handicrafts. Visitors should avoid buying jewelry made from tortoiseshell or black coral as both are protected and it is often illegal to import them to one’s home country (for example, the UK).

Markets are now legal and the 2 main ones are one near the Plaza de Armas and one smaller market on the Malecón, near the Riviera Hotel. The markets open daily and haggling is expected. Shops should be open 0900-1900 including Sundays, although this may not always be the case. The town of Miramar, 16 km from Havana, has a diplomatic district near to shops that sell imported goods and upscale food shops.

Below you’ll find a few shops worth visiting in Havana;

Casa de la Música Habana

Housed in a classic old apartment building in Centro Habana, this is the nicest and best stocked of the Egrem storefronts. They also feature daily concerts at 4 and 10pm.

Galería Acacia

This gallery is the place to go for high-end contemporary Cuban art, and a good place to see who the up-and-coming hot artists are.

Galería Victor Manuel

This place has a pretty good selection of modern decorative paintings, crafts, and a few pieces that could qualify as real artwork. Given its prime location and popularity, don't expect anything to come cheap.

Habana 1791

This attractive shop in Old Havana sells traditional perfumes and aromatherapy distillations in faux-vintage glass jars and vials. The place is sometimes marketed as a 'perfume museum'.

Joyería Quinta y 16

This is the trendiest jewelry shop in the trendiest little minimall in Havana's trendiest neighborhood. Come here if you want to drop a wad of cash for some strands of gold, silver, and diamonds, although the selection is far from inspiring.

La Casona

Located in a series of rooms over 2 floors of the Casa de los Condes de Jaruco on Plaza Vieja, this wonderful gallery has similar works to those found at Victor Manuel, but the selection is better, and there's less of a cattle-car mass-market feel to the place.

La Maison

This mini-complex in an old Miramar mansion is the home of Cuban haute couture. Several stores spread around the rambling converted home feature a range of men's and women's fashion, jewelry, and accessories. There's a nightly runway fashion show ($10), as well as a modest cabaret show, combined with the fashion show on weekends.

Longina Musica

This ARTex shop has an excellent selection of CDs and cassettes, as well as sheet music, magazines, and one of the better stocks of African drums, shakers, and claves you'll find.

Terracotta4

This working study-cum-gallery in Old Habana features the works of Amelia Carballo, Angel Nornirella, and José Ramón. The pieces show a wide-range of influences and utilize a wide-range of techniques. One or more of the artists is usually on hand, and sometimes you'll get a chance to see them working. Open daily from 9am to 5pm.