12 Best Places to Shop in Havana, Cuba

Background Illustration for Shopping

Until recent times, shopping lists in Cuba were short: puros habanos (cigars) and rum. In recent years the availability of an increasing number of products on the market has changed the landscape. While prices are prohibitive to most locals, even cellular phones are now available to Cubans. The result of a slow-but-sure openness has also resulted in more shopping opportunities for tourists.

Look for muñequitas, little dolls representing orishas. Handmade goods—from wood and leather items to terra-cotta pieces—cinema posters and other graphics, musical instruments, and photographs from the Revolutionary period also make interesting buys. The light-cotton men's shirt known as the guayabera is Cuba's national garment, worn by everyone from taxi drivers to El Comandante himself. Practical (side pockets) and elegant (embroidered), the guayabera is worn loose (not tucked in) for coolness, and is considered flattering to middle-age figures.

The state agencies ARTEX and Fondo de Bienes Culturales have shops throughout Havana that sell postcards, books, CDs, cassettes, rum, cigars, and crafts. La Habana: Touristic and Commercial Guide, a booklet published by Infotur, lists the locations of the city's many Tiendas Panamericanas, which sell toiletries and other basic items.

Bargaining is expected, but unlike shopkeepers in other countries where this is true, Cubans ask very low prices to begin with and don't move far. It generally feels better to pay the extra dollar or two. At this juncture, it means a lot more in Cuban hands than in yours.

Almacenes de San José

La Habana Vieja Fodor's choice
Havana's biggest and best craft market is in an old shipping warehouse, next to the water in Havana Vieja. It's a rabbit-warren-like maze filled with all manner of handicrafts, from carvings and jewelry to paintings, leather work, and touristy Che merchandise. There are also toilets and a few food and drink stalls.
Av. Desampardos y San Ignacio, Havana, 10100, Cuba
Shopping Details
Rate Includes: Mon.–Sat. 10–6

Taller Experimental de Grafica

La Habana Vieja Fodor's choice
In the small alleyway just off Plaza Catedral, this vast workshop, which started in 1962, is one of the best places to buy unique artwork in Havana. Watch the printmakers and artists at work and then head into the shop to choose your very own piece.
Callejón del Chorro 62, Havana, 10100, Cuba
7862–0979
Shopping Details
Rate Includes: Weekdays 9–4

Casa de la Música

Miramar

This small store is attached to the Miramar Casa de la Música nightclub and sells CDs and musical instruments.

Calle 20, No. 3309, Havana, Cuba
7204–0447

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Casa del Habano, La Quinta

Miramar

The many locations of the ubiquitous tobacco emporium make shopping for tobacco convenient.

Av. 5, No. 1407, Havana, 11500, Cuba
7209–4040

Ferria 23 y M

Vedado

This excellent and eclectic handicraft market is very near the Hotel Nacional and is open weekdays 9–5, selling anything from souvenirs, paintings, and clothes to locally produced jewelry.

Av. 23 y M, Havana, 10400, Cuba

Habana 1791 Aromas Coloniales

La Habana Vieja
More like a working museum than a shop, this unique fragrance store sells a range of scents created from natural products all found in Cuba. Peruse the rows of old bottles and then head back into the gorgeous fountain-filled patio to view the working laboratory, where the perfumes are still created.
Calle Mercaderes 156, Havana, 10100, Cuba
Shopping Details
Rate Includes: Mon.–Sat. 10–7, Sun. 11–2

La Casa del Habano Partagás

Centro Habana
Although the cigar factory itself has moved to another location, there's still a good cigar shop on the premises. Its knowledgeable staff sell a wide selection of cigars and tobacco, and there's also a small bar inside where you can enjoy a coffee or a mojito with your smoke.
Calle Industria 520, Havana, 10200, Cuba
7866–8060

La Maison

Miramar

The evening fashion shows (10 pm) here will knock your eyes out—more for the human display than for the textiles—and the luxury clothing is on sale duty-free. They also have a good selection of guayaberas . Entry to the fashion shows costs CUC$10.

Longina Música

La Habana Vieja

Located on the pedestrianized Calle Obispo, this shop sells an excellent selection of music and Cuban musical instruments.

Calle Obispo 360, e/Habana y Compostela, Havana, Cuba
7862–8371

Palacio de la Artesanía

La Habana Vieja

For tobacco, rum, Cuban music, and all manner of crafts, don't miss this unique shopping mall, housed in the 18th-century colonial Palacio de Pedroso.

Calle de Cuba 64, Havana, 10100, Cuba
Shopping Details
Rate Includes: Daily 10–7

Piscolabis

La Habana Vieja
A unique gift and souvenir shop located in between Plaza de Armas and Plaza Catedral, Piscolabis sells an eclectic range of jewelry, glasswork, wood carvings, and metalwork. It also serves great coffees, so that you can sit down and relax in between browsing.
Calle San Ignacio 75, Havana, 10600, Cuba
7284–0355

Quitrín

La Habana Vieja

Set up some 30 years ago by the Federation of Cuban Women, this successful shop now has a number of outlets throughout Cuba. It sells off-the-rack guayaberas, as well as linen and cotton dresses and pants.

Havana, Cuba
7862–0810