Whenever people visit anywhere, they often purchase little souvenirs or keepsakes. These are more of a memento of their visit that will remind them of everything that happened. If you are wondering about the best things and places to buy them in Havana, you have come to the right place. This Cuban city offers warm hospitality, impressive attractions, unforgettable memories, and unique gifts to take back home. While you might have heard about Cuban cigars and rum, there are a few other things that you won’t find anywhere else. They are worth buying and won’t cost much.
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- Gift Cuban Cigars To Your Friends
- Sip Strong Cuban Rum
- Raise Cuban Flag
- Marvel At Paintings Of Cuban Artists
- Buy Authentic Local Handicraft Products
- See What The Fuss Is All About Coconut Monkeys
- Collect Vintage Stamps
- See How Cuban License Plates Differ From Your Country's
- Become Engrossed In Cuban Books
- Collect Cuban Pesos And Coins
- Spray Habana 1791 Perfume On Your Wrists
- Smell Cuban Coffee
- Bring Cuban Food Back To Your Home
Gift Cuban Cigars To Your Friends
- Where To Buy: La Casa del Habano, La Casa del Ron y del Tabaco Cubano, La Corona Cigar Factory
- Price Range: 10 CUC apiece
It’s no exaggeration to say that Havana and even Cuba are famous for their cigars. They are made using solely Cuban tobacco, producing authentic, strong smoke. In addition, every cigar roll is carefully prepared, properly rolled, and checked multiple times before leaving the factory. Producing a single one takes over 100 steps, so these cigars are pretty pricey compared to other cigars.
The import of Cuban cigars into the United States is illegal due to the strained political relations between the two countries. Hence, you can buy them and bring them home during your Havana visit. A single cigar costs up to 10 CUC, and the price of a box starts at $50. In the stores, you can buy a box, small 5-packs, or a single cigar.
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Sip Strong Cuban Rum
- Where To Buy: Ron Legendario, Havana Club Museo Bar, Museo del Ron Havana Cuba
- Price Range: $19 onwards
A glass of Havana rum perfectly compliments the strong Cuban cigar. It has been an essential part of Cuban culture since colonial times. Residents enjoy sipping rum after meals or during parties. You will find rum variations in several clubs, bars, and stores. However, to learn about the rum-making process, you should visit Museo del Ron Havana Cuba.
Visitors will see how freshly cut sugar cane is manufactured into Cuban rum. This process involves many ingredients, procedures, and checks. They can also enjoy Cuban cocktails in the on-site bar. Furthermore, Cuban rum is expensive compared to other beverages. A bottle of rum could cost from $19 to $620.
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Raise Cuban Flag
- Where To Buy: Local stores, vendors
- Price Range: $6.95 onwards
What better way to remember your Havana trip than to buy Cuba’s national flag? You don’t have to be a Sheldon Cooper-level flag fanatic to buy them. Even a novice can purchase a Cuban flag and keep it as a souvenir. You will find them in local stores and online at reasonable prices.
Cuba’s flag is pretty fashionable. It has a red equilateral triangle bearing the white five-pointed star in the center and five horizontal stripes of blue alternate with white. It seems similar to the flag of Puerto Rico. Moreover, the Cuban flag symbolizes the independent idealogy, liberty, equality, and fraternity. You can tell your friends about its significance and meaning while showing off.
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Marvel At Paintings Of Cuban Artists
- Where To Buy: Cuban Art Factory, Contemporary Art Center Wifredo Lam, Riera Studio
- Price Range: $20 onwards
Havana’s colorful streets feature colonial buildings, vintage cars, local stores, and marvelous artworks by local artisans. You will stumble upon one to two paintings at every corner. In addition, this city houses many art galleries and museums featuring traditional, contemporary, and modern exhibits. You will find many works from new and famous artists.
If you want to buy a painting, your first destination is the art gallery. They have multiple options at various prices. You will also find many drawings, sketches, and oil paintings on sale in many neighborhoods in Havana. Moreover, an art fair, The Havana Biennial, usually begins from November to February, where many artists put their works for sale. You can also buy paintings from there.
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Buy Authentic Local Handicraft Products
- Where To Buy: Havana Vieja, Calle Tacón street market
- Price Range: $3-$10
While cigars and rum can be found elsewhere, Havana’s local handicrafts are unique. These include woodworking, jewelry, religious figurines, statues, and papier-mâché masks. Cigar handicrafts are one of the popular local products available in the market. You will also find a small Che Guevara or Fidel Castro figurine and vintage car models in small stores.
Jewelry is another product available in Cuban street markets. You will find bracelets, necklaces, and earrings of coral, red coronilla seeds, watermelon seeds, and shells. They look different and are cheaper to buy. Other handicraft products include ceramics, clothes, wood carvings, and musical instruments.
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See What The Fuss Is All About Coconut Monkeys
- Where To Buy: Havana New Craft & Souvenir Market
- Price Range: $3.89
Have you ever heard of coconut monkeys? These cute little fellas are one of the must-buy gifts in Havana. They are hand-crafted from coconuts and resemble real monkeys. In addition, they often wear straw hats and have cigars hanging from their mouths. These monkeys represent the Cuban lifestyle and craftsmanship of local artisans.
Coconut monkeys are available at nearly every corner of Havana. They only cost$3.89 each, a much cheaper bargain considering the beautiful craftsmanship. While you can buy them on eBay and other online platforms, purchasing them from local stores is better.
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Collect Vintage Stamps
- Where To Buy: Post Office, Regalitos MIAU, L’Antigua Habana
- Price Range: $4.9 onwards
Do you have a hobby of collecting stamps? Even if you don’t, you should buy Cuban stamps as souvenirs during your trip to Havana. They represent the country’s history, culture, and political situation. In addition, these vintage stamps come in multiple versions and colors. You often find a Che Guevara stamp in local art shops and antique stores. Add them to your stamp collection or gift them to your stamp collector friend.
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See How Cuban License Plates Differ From Your Country’s
- Where To Buy: Plaza de Armes, Old Havana
- Price Range: $12.99 onwards
We are more than halfway on our list of the things to buy and places to buy them in Havana, and it’s time to discuss the most unique item. Cuban license plates are something visitors never think of buying. They differ from your typical license plates and come in various colors and designs. Several read Cuba or Havana, including pictures of the Cuban flag, buildings, and Cuba’s map.
You can find these license plates at affordable rates in souvenir shops. However, you must visit the street market in Plaza de Armes to buy authentic ones. Its stores sell original license plates that look different from plastic plates. You can also purchase them from online shopping platforms.
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Become Engrossed In Cuban Books
- Where To Buy: Cubo Libro, Memorias Liberia, L’Antigua Habana
- Price Range: $20-$60
More often than not, the first thing that comes to readers’ minds about Cuban literature is revolutionary-themed books. During the early 19th century, early writers like José Martí penned books on independence and freedom themes. Marti’s modernist movement was supported by other writers, such as Nicolas Guillén, Dulce Maria Loynaz, Alejo Carpentier, and José Lezama Lima. Today, their literary works provide the present generation with images of Cuba’s suppressed society, people’s struggles, and revolutionary war to reach the present state.
Cuban books could be a perfect gift for you or your book-lover friends. They are available in local bookstores and vendors in Havana and cost between $20 and $60. Some book recommendations are Cecilia Valdés, SAB, Simple Verses, Selected Writings, Music In Cuba, Paradiso, Three Trapped Tigers, and Havana Red. You will also find many fictional and fantasy novels in libraries.
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Collect Cuban Pesos And Coins
- Where To Buy: Banks in Havana, Trinidad, Varadero
- Price Range: 1-1000 pesos
Cuba initially had two currencies: the regular CUP (Cuban Peso) and the Convertible Cuban Peso (CUC). However, in 2021, the country eliminated its dual currency system and adopted a single-currency economy. Before that, tourists only used CUC to make purchases and payments in restaurants, hotels, stores, bars, and nightclubs. Although CUP is legally the only acceptable currency, tourists can use foreign currencies like USD and Euro.
If you are confused about the Cuban currency system, simply exchange foreign cash once you arrive in Cuba. Avoid exchanging money at the airport or money exchange locations. You will get more Cuban Pesos if you exchange with an unofficial money changer. In addition, you can collect Cuban Pesos and coins as a souvenir. Though coins are rarely used, you will easily find them.
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Spray Habana 1791 Perfume On Your Wrists
(Source: Flickr)
- Where To Buy: Perfumeria Habana 1791
- Price Range: $12 onwards
You can take Havana’s authentic smell in a bottle at Perfumeria Habana 1971, aka Museo Del Perfume. It is in an 18th-century mansion on Mercaderes Street between Obrapia and Lamparilla Streets in Old Havana. Cuban perfumer Yanelda Mendosa launched this place in 2000. It has since become a must-visit place for lovers of beautiful scents. Smells of lavender, violet, jasmine, coffee, and tobacco will immediately surround visitors.
Museo del Perfume offers twelve fragrances: Rose, Tobacco, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Sandalwood, Citrus, Lilac, vetiver, Ylang-Ylang, Patchouli, Lavender, and Violet. Customers can also order custom-made scents based on their preferences. Moreover, this shop offers perfumes in multiple styles and sizes. Each one is stored in a fine container and prepared meticulously.
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Smell Cuban Coffee
- Where To Buy: Supermercado 70, Miramar
- Price Range: $6.41 onwards
We are near the end of our list of the best places to buy them in Havana, and it’s time for Cuban coffee. Not many know about it, but the coffee culture in Cuba is pretty strong. Cubans enjoy starting their day with coffee, which they drink at least twice daily. They also welcome their guests with a cup of coffee.
Cuban coffee is strong and 100% natural. It is also known for its thicker texture and sweet flavor. If you are in a coffee house, you can order four types of Cuban coffee: Cafecito, Cortadito, Colada, and Cafe con leche. You can also easily buy a packet of coffee beans from local markets or supermarkets. Their prices differ based on brands but are mostly affordable.
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Bring Cuban Food Back To Your Home
- Where To Buy: Restaurants, Paladars, Markets
- Price Range: 70 CUP – 1,000 CUP
Cuban cuisine is a unique fusion of Spanish, Caribbean, Native American Taino, and African flavors. Its culinary scene has evolved with time and introduced many mouthwatering dishes. The most popular dish is the Cuban sandwich, a combination of ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles, served on toasted bread. Likewise, Ropa Vieja, a stewed shredded beef dish, is another must-have item on the menu.
You will also find mojo criollo, picadillo, Dulce De Leche, plantain chips, spicy pork cracklings, croquetas, empanadas, and tamales. You can enjoy them in a local restaurant or paladar in Havana. In addition, you can take Cuban food back home as a souvenir. You can also buy kitchen appliances, including Tostonera, a wooden kitchen tool used to smash plantains.
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In addition to the abovementioned things, tourists also buy locally-made clothes and apparel. Che Guevara’s Boina(beret) and Guayabera Men’s shirts are equally famous among visitors. The latter are worn throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, Mexico, and Southeast Asia. If you don’t like berets, you can purchase Cuban Straw Hats, aka Fedoras. Other souvenir recommendations are Cuban spices, Cigar cutters, handmade dishes, CDs, and Mariposa eau de toilette. You can gift them to your friends, family, or loved ones. Or better keep it to yourself as a keepsake.
