|
GO SHOPPING
Cigars, rum, coffee and handicrafts
Those hoping for a shopping spree in Cuba will be disappointed. Nowadays there are plenty of supermarkets and there are ever more shopping centers. Still, Cuban shops do not carry many products, not to mention luxury goods. There are a few luxury shops in La Habana Vieja and in the larger hotels, but even there the offer is generally uninspiring. Do not be surprised if on leaving the shop your bags and receipts are checked.
Before leaving the shop it is always good to check the merchandise yourself as well, especially when buying cigars, rum and coffee. Unfortunately, it happens often that the stuff is tampered with and the more expensive the cigar, rum etc., the higher the chance. Look whether the original packing is still intact and this includes caps, seals and other wrappings.
Cigars - A product that is readily available are cigars. Cuba makes the world's finest cigars. Fidel Castro himself, before given up, smoked Cohiba cigars, Che Guevara´s favorite cigars were Montecristos. The authentic cigars you buy at factories or authorized outlets such as Casas del Habano. Cigars from street vendors will probably be fakes or factory rejects. When buying those street cigars, keep in mind that you can export only up to 20 loose cigars.
Rum - We should not forget about Cuban rum. Santiago de Cuba was once home to the Bacardi family distillery, but Bacardi drinks are no longer found in Cuba. The Bacardi family and Company left Cuba after the Castro regime confiscated the Company’s Cuban assets on 15 October 1960. A few years prior to the revolution, the Company had moved assets out of the country to the Bahamas, where it still has its headquarters. Drinks now made in the former Cuban Bacardi distillery are sold in Cuba under the name Caney.
Nowadays Havana Club is the main brand of rum in Cuba, made in the company the Cuban government nationalized during the revolution. The Cuban government sells its Havana Club products internationally, except for the United States. Still, it is Varadero that is considered to be the best Cuban rum.
Coffee - Cuban coffee is one of the finest coffee in the world. Popular Cuban brands are, amongst others, Cubita, Turquino and Serrano.
Handicrafts - Handicrafts are on the rise. Handicrafts are developed for the tourist market and there are several handicrafts markets in La Habana, Varadero and Trinidad. There is a huge variety of products, running from jewellery to omnipresent Che Guevara souvenirs: ceramics, wooden carvings, paintings, clothing, masks and other handmade souvenirs supplied by local people. Many of the objects are inspired by the Afro-Cuban community. If you are looking for fine-quality art, you will have more luck at the galleries. Remember that a permit is required to take art out of the country.
Opening hours
There are no hard-and-fast rules, but most shops and department stores are open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Some shops close for an hour for lunch. Those that cater to tourists, tend to have slightly more extended hours, and are usually open on Saturday and Sunday.
|
|
|