Discover Cuba, the vibrant Caribbean island where colonial architecture meets revolutionary history and pristine beaches. Experience colorful Havana's classic cars, salsa rhythms, and world-class cigars in this unique destination frozen in time.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Habanos Cigars
Cuba's legendary hand-rolled cigars are the ultimate souvenir. Premium brands like Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, and Partagás are produced in Havana's historic cigar factories.
Price: $5-300
Where: La Casa del Habano shops, Partagás Factory, official LCDH stores
Havana Club Rum
Cuba's national rum comes in multiple varieties from light 3-year to premium 15-year aged. Havana Club 7 Años is the classic choice for cocktails and sipping.
Price: $8-60
Where: Duty-free shops, supermarkets, La Casa del Ron in Old Havana
Cuban Oil Paintings and Prints
Vibrant street scenes, classic cars, and tropical landscapes painted by local artists. Old Havana's Plaza de la Catedral and Taller Experimental de Gráfica offer exceptional work.
Price: $20-500
Where: Plaza de la Catedral art market, Taller Experimental de Gráfica, Callejón de Hamel
Cuban Music CDs and Vinyl
Albums by Buena Vista Social Club, Ibrahim Ferrer, and Omara Portuondo make perfect musical souvenirs. Vinyl records from the EGREM label are collector's items.
Price: $5-30
Where: EGREM Music Store (Obispo Street), Plaza de Armas book market
Papier-Mâché Classic Cars
Colorful handmade miniature replicas of Cuba's iconic 1950s American cars, crafted from papier-mâché and painted in vibrant tropical colors. Lightweight and easy to pack.
Price: $5-25
Where: Almacenes San José Artisan Market, street vendors in Old Havana
Guayabera Shirts
Traditional Cuban linen or cotton shirts with vertical embroidery, beloved for their elegance and breathability in tropical heat. Available in men's and women's styles.
Price: $15-60
Where: El Quitrín boutique (Obispo), Vedado clothing shops, Almacenes San José
Handmade Wooden Chess Sets
Cuba has a deep chess culture and artisans produce beautifully carved wooden sets with revolutionary-themed pieces or classic designs. Quality varies from tourist to artisan grade.
Price: $20-80
Where: Plaza de Armas book and craft market, Almacenes San José
Cuban Coffee
Strong, dark roasted Cuban coffee brands like Cubita and Serrano are prized exports. Available as whole bean or ground for espresso-style brewing at home.
Price: $3-15
Where: Supermarkets, duty-free shops, La Familia coffee shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Almacenes San José Artisan Market
Havana's largest permanent artisan market in a converted waterfront warehouse near the Port. Over 200 vendors sell crafts, art, jewelry, clothing, cigars, and souvenirs with fixed and negotiable prices.
Where: Avenida del Puerto, Old Havana
Hours: 9AM-6PM daily
Plaza de Armas Book and Craft Market
Open-air market surrounding Old Havana's oldest square. Booksellers offer vintage Cuban books, propaganda posters, and revolutionary memorabilia. Weekend craft vendors add paintings and antiques.
Where: Plaza de Armas, Old Havana
Hours: 9AM-5PM daily (except rainy days)
Feria de la Artesanía (Vedado)
Neighborhood craft fair in Vedado's lively commercial district. Local artisans sell handmade jewelry, leatherwork, paintings, and textiles at prices often lower than tourist markets.
Where: Calle L and 23, Vedado, Havana
Hours: 9AM-5PM Thursday-Sunday
Mercado de Cuatro Caminos
Havana's oldest covered market built in 1920, serving locals with fresh produce, meats, and household goods in Cuban Pesos. An authentic glimpse into daily Cuban life away from tourist areas.
Where: Máximo Gómez and Matadero, Centro Habana
Hours: 7AM-3PM Monday-Saturday
Trinidad Crafts Market
Colonial Trinidad's lively artisan market spreading through the historic center. Vendors sell handmade lacework, ceramics, leather goods, and paintings amid the cobblestone setting.
Where: Plaza Mayor, Trinidad
Hours: 8AM-6PM daily
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Obispo Street
Old Havana's main pedestrian shopping boulevard stretching from Parque Central to Plaza de Armas. Mix of tourist shops, bookstores, pharmacies, restaurants, and street musicians create a lively atmosphere.
Best for: Souvenirs, books, clothing, rum, coffee
La Rampa (23rd Street, Vedado)
Vedado's main commercial corridor lined with shops, cinemas, and the iconic Hotel Habana Libre. More local-oriented than Old Havana with less tourist markup on everyday goods.
Best for: Everyday goods, pharmacies, electronics, Cuban brands
Miramar Shopping District
Havana's most modern commercial area along 5th Avenue in Miramar. International brands, supermarkets, and boutiques cater to diplomats and higher-income Cubans. Best selection of quality goods.
Best for: Imported goods, quality clothing, electronics, supermarkets
Varadero Shopping Strip
Varadero's main street features souvenir shops, clothing boutiques, and duty-free stores. Higher prices than Havana but convenient for resort guests. Rum and cigars widely available.
Best for: Beach gear, souvenirs, rum, cigars, resort wear
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Centro Comercial La Puntilla
Modern shopping complex in Miramar near the seafront with grocery store, clothing shops, pharmacies, and restaurants. Popular with resident foreigners and Cuban professionals.
Hours: 10AM-8PM daily
Galerías de Paseo (Vedado)
Multi-level shopping gallery in Vedado's Paseo Peatonal featuring clothing, accessories, electronics, and a supermarket. One of Havana's most modern retail spaces.
Hours: 9AM-7PM Monday-Saturday, 9AM-2PM Sunday
Centro Comercial Miramar Trade Center
Combined business and retail complex in Miramar housing shops, offices, and a supermarket. Good selection of imported goods unavailable in central Havana.
Hours: 9AM-6PM Monday-Friday
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is acceptable at open-air markets like Almacenes San José and Plaza de Armas but not in state-run shops with fixed prices
Start at 50-60% of the asking price and meet in the middle — vendors expect negotiation on handcrafted items
Buying multiple items from the same vendor usually earns a discount — bundle cigars, rum, and art together
Walking away often brings vendors down in price — use this tactic for high-value items like paintings
Early morning shopping means less competition and more flexible vendors who want to make their first sale
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Cuban customs allows export of up to 50 factory cigars (with receipt) and unlimited handmade cigars without packaging. Export of antiques, items of cultural patrimony, and original artwork requires official export permits from BICC (Bureau of Cultural Heritage). Animals and plants are restricted.
Tax Refund: Cuba does not operate a tourist VAT refund scheme.
Duty Free: Travelers may bring in up to $500 USD in personal goods duty-free. US travelers face OFAC restrictions on Cuban goods — consult OFAC regulations before purchasing cigars and rum for import to the US (limits apply).
Shipping: International shipping from Cuba is unreliable and expensive. DHL operates in Havana but with high rates. Ship fragile art via professional services at major hotels. Most travelers hand-carry purchases.