Vedado
This government-run ARTex shop opposite the Hotel Habana Libre has a good selection of CDs, cassettes, books, crafts and postcards.
Must-see shopping in Cuba
Ciego de Ávila Province
This is an ARTex souvenir store rather than the well-known Cuban department store. It's on two levels selling everything from arty parasols to Cuban flags.
Havana
A 20-year-old shopping center spread over four floors at the Vedado end of Miramar. By Cuban standards it's fairly comprehensive, if a little rundown.
Holguín
This state-run shop on Parque Calixto García sells small affordable paintings and similar handicrafts to the private vendor market a few blocks away.
Varadero
A retail outlet of Havana's famous Casa de las Américas, this place sells art, postcards and those old pre-internet-age throwbacks – books!
Santa Clara
Calle Independencia between JB Zayas and Maceo is the pedestrianized 'Boulevard', full of shoppers during the day and bar-hoppers at night.
Varadero
The largest of several open-air artisans markets lining Primera Avenida, with private vendors selling mainly Cuba-themed crafts.
Galería de Arte Latinoamericano
Vedado
Situated in the Casa de las Américas and featuring art from all over Latin America.
Santiago de Cuba
The definitive Cuban specialist music store; this retail outlet of Egrem Studios has a good selection from local musicians.
Cienfuegos
Gallery run by Cuban cultural agency that sells folk art. There's usually a small bookstall set up in the street outside.
Habana Vieja
Pop into this gallery to see the large, hectic but intriguing canvases by Nelson Domínguez, whose workshop is upstairs.
Pinar del Río Province
Near the Fábrica de Tabacos Francisco Donatien, sells souvenirs, CDs and T-shirts, plus plenty of the strong stuff.
Viñales
This private-enterprise market sells Cuba-themed arts and crafts, and sets up in Calle Joaquin Pérez every day.
Matanzas Province
Attractive ceramic bracelets are sold at the Taller de Cerámica, where you can see five kilns in operation.
Habana Vieja
For a range of coffee and a decent taster cup, pop into La Casa del Café, just off Plaza de Armas.
Habana Vieja
At Museo del Tabaco you can see various indigenous pipes and idols and buy some splendid smokes.
Varadero
Buy fine artistic pottery made on the premises. Most items are in the CUC$200 to CUC$250 range.
Trinidad
Dodge the street hustlers and satisfy your alcoholic (rum) and tobacco vices here.
Pinar del Río Province
Selection of maps, books and office supplies next door to the Cubanacán office.
Galería Taller Escultura Rita Longa
Las Tunas
The small gallery pulls together some fine local work for perusal or purchase.
Librería Centenario del Apóstol
Vedado
Great assortment of used books with a José Martí bias in downtown Vedado.
Fondo Cubano Bienes Culturales
Camagüey
Sells all kinds of artifacts in a pleasantly nontouristy setting.
Centro Comercial Playa Pesquero
Holguín Province
Mall with fast food, money exchange, shop and bowling alley.
Havana
Well, it's an interesting idea. This exclusive perfume parlor reopened on the same premises as the original 1917 shop and sells high-end perfume and…
Villa Clara Province
Welcome to a Cuban town full of…Canadians. It’s hard to know what to make of this mock colonial village with its imitation Manaca Iznaga tower and phony…
Villa Clara Province
The newest of the three shopping/entertainment centers on Cayo Santa María, this one has its own beach – although you're supposed to pay CUC$5 to use it…
Villa Clara Province
One of three 'toy town' shopping centers on the cayos, this one comes complete with fake Spanish galleon, fake lighthouse and fake town square. Granted,…
Varadero
Built in 1997, and already looking dated, Cuba’s first bona fide shopping mall is one of Varadero’s less-inspired architectural creations, though it…
Habana Vieja
Part of the government-run Artex chain, the small, succinctly curated Memorias is where to come for a guayabera (men's shirt), a Museo de Bellas Artes…
Bazar – Proyecto de Desarollo Local
Holguín
Listen for music blasting from the doorway of this private, community-run market that sells jewelry, magic boxes, Cuban art and goat-leather goods. It's…
Habana Vieja
This bookstore, a throwback to the 1920s, was refurbished by the City Historian to fit in with its Old Town surroundings. Editions are mainly in Spanish,…
Habana Vieja
Small bookshop in the historic center that sells books published or sponsored by the Office of the City Historian. Most are in Spanish and track the…
Camagüey Province
This strip mall between the Gran Club Santa Lucía and Club Amigo Caracol has an ARTex store, a bookstore and a couple of government-run Caracol outlets…
Pinar del Río Province
An interesting, if dusty, selection of regional handicrafts run by the BFC (Cuban cultural agency), although revenue goes almost exclusively to the…
Holguín Province
This touristy, open-air handicraft market caters to resort clients from the surrounding area. Find the usual Che merch, postcards and beaded jewelry – not…
