What to buy in Cuba?
Around the most popular tourist sights there are more and more shops where we can buy cigar, rum and arts and crafts. It’s better to purchase the souvenirs in Havana; you will find bigger range of products there. Gifts are usually sold at Cuban hotel shops but nowadays you can also buy them at small markets. About the prices: Cuba is cheaper than other Caribbean countries, but still more expensive than other parts of Latin – America.So, what to buy and take home from Cuba?
Works of art
The most popular works of art are the naive style Afro-Cuban paintings of landscapes and colonial towns. Best place to get one of these paintings or other works of art is the Feria de Tacón, close to the Castillo de Real Fuerza. Do not forget that you can only take these products out of Cuba with the relevant documents; ask for help at shops or street vendors.
Music CDs
Do not forget that albums of Cuban bands and singers can not be purchased in other counties, if you would like to listen to them at home too, buy them while you are in Cuba.
Cigars
Cuban cigar is the best in the world; it can be a perfect gift for your friends and relatives, especially the ones in elegant cedar box. Do not yield the temptation and do not buy it from street vendors. They usually sell the worst quality cigars. The most popular cigars are: Cohiba, Partagas, Romeo y Julieta, Trinidad, MonteCristo, Hoyo de Monterrey, Bolivar, Henry Upmann, Vegas Robaina and El Rey Del Mundo.
Arts and craftYou can special Cuban products made of bamboo, shells, banana leaves or seeds.
Medicines
Many tourists are surprised of the fact that Cuba is one of the biggest medicine exporters of the world. You can find cholesterol-lowering PGG made of sugarcane, bone-strengthening made of shark cartilage or spirulina that is an algal-derived. Musical instrumentsMany traditional Cuban musical instruments are sold in the shops or at the markets like bongo drums, maracas, claves and tumbadora drums.
Rum
The most famous Cuban rum is the Havana Club, you can also visit its museum in Havana and taste this fine spirit. You will find many different types of rum, of course the ones aged for 7 or more years are the most expansive.
Perfumes
The state-owned company, Suchel Camacho makes good quality and exciting perfumes and also body lotions and other products. You should try the spicy Coral Negro or the flourish Mariposa.
What not to buy in Cuba?
Black coral and turtle shellBlack coral from the Cuban coral reefs is popular among Cuban jewellers, but taking black coral and turtle shell out of the country is strictly prohibited. Do a favour for oceans and yourself and leave them in shops.
Miguel is a specialist of Cuba hotels and travels around the country. He’s working for Cubafiesta, a hotel booking agency, which provides accomodation all around the country.
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