The Cuba shopping is great if you are looking for rum or cigars as gifts for family and friends.
Unfortunately, if you are looking for handicrafts unique to Cuba, you will be disappointed at the relative lack of choice.
Equally, top designer fashion clothing and the latest electronic gizmo's are not top of Cuba's shopping list goods either.
Cubans are not rich so any expensive or upmarket products tend to be limited to shops specificially for foreigners in Old Havana as that is where most visitors tend to stay in the city.
Best prices can be found in the markets and the vendors are happy to haggle over prices, whereas in shops you cannot bargain. Calle Tacón in Havana is one of the most well known markets.
Cuba shopping for souvenirs tends to be limited to tourist t-shirts and trinkets, Che Guevara memorabilia, rum and cigars.
Other options include art (see below), African style drums, jewellery, masks and statues of wood, stucco or plaster.
There are a number of music shops where you can buy CDs to practise your dancing moves when you return home or find some upbeat Cuban rhythms to listen to, to remind you of your stay in Cuba. Music lovers may also find a hand crafted Cuban guitar to take home as a souvenir from one of the shops.
In old town Havana, the best place for shopping is along the pedestrian street Calle Obispo, which is also popular for its typical Cuban nightlife when the sun sets.
When shopping in Cuba for tobacco it is important to take note of the following:
It is also important to note: