Cuba Travel Guide

Cuba — Shopping

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Shopping

Those hoping to spend, spend, spend will be disappointed in Cuba. There are a few luxury shops in Old Havana and in large hotels like the Habana Libre. Some offer tax-free purchases, but stock is generally uninspiring.

Cuba makes the world's finest cigars. Buy the real thing at factories such as Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás in Havana, which also sells fabulously ornate cigar boxes. Cigars from street vendors will probably be fakes or factory rejects, and may be confiscated at the airport. Castro's favorite brand (before he gave up) was Cohiba, Ché Guevara favored Montecristos, and, before he put the blockade in place, JFK stocked up on Upmans.

Santiago de Cuba was once home to the Bacardi family distillery, but Havana Club is now the most famous Cuban rum. Good though it is, connoisseurs prefer Varadero.
The rich seven-year-old variety is sipped like fine malt, while younger and lighter blends are used for cocktails.

Ché Guevara merchandise is everywhere.

The famous outdoor crafts market next to the cathedral in Old Havana has moved much further south in Old Havana to Almacenes San José, Avenida del Puerto, next to the church of San Francisco de Paula; open 1000-1800 daily.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 0900-1200.

Currency

Convertible Peso (CUC; symbol CUC$ or $) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of CUC$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1. Coins are in denominations of CUC$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, and 1 centavos.

Note: US Dollars are no longer accepted in Cuba and visitors will be charged 10% commission on exchanging them. In the 1990s, Cuba decided to slowly get rid of its Dollar reserves, banning the currency from general use and introduced the replacement CUC as a ‘tourist dollar' under its control. Cuban nationals continue to be paid in the Cuban Peso (CUP; symbol CUP$ or $). In some tourist areas, the Euro is also accepted. Hard currency (ie CUCs not CUPs) must be used in most transactions.

Currency Exchange

Money should be exchanged at banks or state-run CADECAs. Dollars attract a 10% surcharge on top of the normal commission (US citizens should bring Euros or Sterling to exchange). All local currency must be exchanged again before leaving the country. Card transactions attract a surcharge (of up to 12.5%) - see below.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

MasterCard and Visa are increasingly accepted, provided they are not issued by a US bank, or a bank with links to the USA, but hefty fees are often added. ATMs are more common but not ubiquitous, but cash can be obtained in banks and Cadecas with non-US Visa credit and Visa debit cards.

Travelers Checks

US Dollar, Pounds Sterling and other major currencies are accepted; US Dollar checks issued by US banks are not accepted. It is recommended to take checks in a currency other than US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration of funds exceeding US$5,000 on arrival. Export is allowed up to the amount imported and delared.