Shopping in Cuba
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Variadades Galiano
The main shopping streets for Cubans are San Rafael and Av de Italia (Galiano). At the point where the thoroughfares meet stands Variadades Galiano, the Bloomingdales of Cuban department stores (and a former Woolworths), which sells everything from mesh tank tops to old records. With its strangely evocative interior that mixes aspiring 1950s New York with dingy 1970s Moscow, this place offers an authentic glimpse into how Cubans go shopping.
reviewed
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Mercado del Oriente
Calle Mercaderes (Merchant St) is chockablock with eclectic shops such as this one. Revamped by the City Historian’s Office a few years back, the Mercado del Oriente has a Far Eastern theme (the Casa de Asia is next door) and sells furniture, textiles, porcelain, glass and silver objects from places such as China.
reviewed
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B
Fondo Cubano de Bienes Culturales
Independencia, between Maceo and JB Zayas, is the pedestrian shopping street called the Boulevard by locals. It’s littered with all kind of shops and restaurants and is the bustling hub of city life, especially at weekends. Fondo Cubano de Bienes Culturales sells handicrafts and is the main tourist shop here.
reviewed
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Publicaciones de la Oficina del Historiador
The definitive word on Habana Vieja’s colonial history can be uncovered here in large, photo-friendly coffee-table books that showcase the development and restoration of Old Habana. The small store sells mainly books, postcards and back copies of the cultural magazine Opus (which prints part of its text in English).
reviewed
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Studio of Salvador González Escalona
Since 1990 a local painter named Salvador González Escalona has converted Callejón de Hamel into an open-air art center with vivid murals and funky street sculpture. Salvador has a studio at No 1054, where his paintings may be viewed (and purchased), and the studio organizes free cultural activities in the street outside.
reviewed
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C
Palacio de la Artesanía
A former 18th-century colonial palace turned into a shopping mall – the Americans could learn from this! Gathered around a shaded central patio is one-stop shopping for souvenirs, cigars, crafts, musical instruments, CDs, clothing and jewelry at fixed prices. Join the gaggles of tour-bus escapees and fill your bag.
reviewed
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ARTex
From mouse pads to Che trinkets, the branch of ARTex below Hotel Casa Granda collects any type of Cuban souvenir imaginable. The other branches – in the Casa de la Trova and at Patio ARTex one block further up Calle Heredia – focus more on music, with a respectable selection of CDs and cassettes.
reviewed
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Centro Comercial Hicacos
Parque de las 8000 Taquillas has been the recipient of an extensive remodeling with a new mall tucked under a reborn (and plusher) Coppelia. Called the Centro Comercial Hicacos, there are a variety of shops here including souvenirs, cigars and photo developing, and an Infotur office.
reviewed
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Galería Victor Manuel
Taking pride of place in Plaza de la Catedral, this expensive gallery is about as high-end as Habana shopping gets. Displayed in a beautiful baroque building are wonderful humidors, captivating paintings, Tiffany-style glass lamps, fantastic wooden figurines and lots of fine silver jewelry.
reviewed
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Plaza Carlos Iii
After Plaza de las Américas in Varadero, this is probably Cuba’s flashiest shopping mall – and there’s barely a foreigner in sight. Dresses, radios and bicycles – they’re all on sale here. Step in to see the double economy working at a feverish pitch.
reviewed
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Arts & Crafts Market
This excellent open-air market situated in front of the Casa de la Trova is the place to buy souvenirs, especially textiles and crochet work – just avoid the black coral and turtle-shell items that are made from endangered species and are forbidden entry into many countries.
reviewed
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Longina Música
This place on the pedestrian mall has a good selection of CDs, plus musical instruments such as bongos, guitars, maracas, guiros and tumbadoras (conga drums). It often places loudspeakers in the street outside to grab the attention of passing tourists.
reviewed
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La Veguita
Sales outlet for Fábrica de Tabacos Constantino Pérez Carrodegua that is staffed by a friendly team of cigar experts. You can also buy cheap rum here and the bar out the back sells good coffee. It's located across the street from the tobacco factory.
reviewed
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Galería de Arte Varadero
Antique jewelry, museum-quality silver and glass, paintings and other heirlooms from Varadero’s by-gone bourgeois days are sold here. As most items are of patrimonial importance, every- thing is already conveniently tagged with export permission.
reviewed
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ARTex Handicraft Market
A small flea market opposite the Hotel Acuazul, ARTex Handicraft Market has an excellent selection of CDs, cassettes, T-shirts and even a few musical instruments. Also check out the proper ARTex store.
reviewed
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Casa de las Américas
A retail outlet of the famous Havana cultural institution, this place sells CDs, books and art, and is one of the few places in the country where a (very) old copy of Lonely Planet’s Cuba guide has been spotted on sale.
reviewed
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Gran Parque de la Artesanía
The open-air artisans’ market that once stood here has been reborn further down Av 1 as the Gran Parque de la Artesanía. There’s a smaller handicraft market at Av 1 between Calles 51 and 52.
reviewed
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La Casa del Habano
Cigar aficionados flock to this smoky cigar shop situated inside the beautiful Hostal Conde de Villanueva, popularly considered to be the expert’s choice. Dodge the rogue cigar sellers on Calle Obispo, and come and join them.
reviewed
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Habana 1791
A specialist shop that sells perfume made from tropical flowers, Havana 1791 retains the air of a working museum. Floral fragrances are mixed by hand and you can see the petals drying in a laboratory out the back.
reviewed
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Mercado agropecuario
Pinar del Río’s colorful open-air market is almost on top of the tracks near the train station. You’ll see the odd tour group tramping through here getting a grip on Special Period economics.
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ARTex, General Lacret
From mouse pads to mumus, the branch near Parque Céspedes collects any type of Cuban souvenir imaginable. The other ARTex branches focus more on music, with a respectable selection of CDs and cassettes.
reviewed
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ARTex, Heredia
From mouse pads to mumus, the branch near Parque Céspedes collects any type of Cuban souvenir imaginable. The other ARTex branches focus more on music, with a respectable selection of CDs and cassettes.
reviewed
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Galería Manos
This gallery is effectively a small craft outlet, with dolls, masks and other handmade souvenirs supplied by local people. Many of the objects are inspired by the city’s vibrant Afro-Cuban community.
reviewed
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Marco Polo
This is a popular spice and herb store that is always busy with both foreigners and locals. Run by Habaguanex, its large range of varied products can be used for both gastronomic and medicinal purposes.
reviewed
