What To Buy In Havana, Cuba

what to buy in havana
Catherine
Catherine 
Published
| 4 min read

A trip to Havana is like stepping back in time. Walk the streets and catch glimpses of 1950s Chevy Impalas or turn the corner and see 16th-century Spanish colonial architecture. This capital city is one of the best sustained colonial cities in the entire Latin American region. Havana is bold and boasts vibrant buildings, lavish palaces, historic forts, and clandestine alleyways that needs to be explored. Don’t be discouraged if this town is overwhelming. Simply dive in and experience this beguiling place with unbridled curiosity. Make sure to have some mementos of your holiday here before you leave. To uncover the ultimate things to pack in your suitcase, you must scroll down to see what to buy in Havana, Cuba.

1. Cuban Cohiba Cigars

Cohiba robustos 1
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user M Turner used under CC BY-SA 3.0

You don’t have to be a smoker to appreciate the fine quality of Cuban Cohiba Cigars. One of Cuba’s most high-profile products, Cuban Cohiba Cigars are world-famous for their smooth, robust flavor that’s unmatched by any other brand. The process of making these cigars is exclusive to Cuba: the top-tier tobacco is handpicked from only 10 specific fields and involves many stages of precise fermentation. What began as a handcrafted creation by an independent cigar maker is now a prized merchandise that can only be bought in posh shops or swanky hotels.

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2. Cuban Chocolate

Cuban chocolate
Source: Pixabay

Though tobacco and cane sugar are widely known crops in Cuba, cocoa has been cultivated in this country since 1540. A result of these cultivated cocoa crops is luscious, deep-rich Cuban chocolate. The eastern region of Cuba - specifically Baracoa - is known as Cuba’s capital of chocolate. With its perfect temperature and ideal elevation, Baracoa offers a superb climate for growing cocoa bean crops. Whether you prefer to bite into a chunky candy bar or sip a cup of creamy hot cocoa, you can’t go wrong with Cuban chocolate as your go-to sweet-tooth fix.

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3. Cuban Pesos

Monedas Cubanas - Obverso
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Peter Angritt used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Many tourists usually get surprised to learn that Cuba has two official currencies: Cuban pesos and Cuban convertible pesos. Cuban pesos or CUP is the money primarily used by locals. Cuban convertible pesos or CUC is used by tourists. It’s helpful to know that prices on goods and services in every tourist spot are represented in CUC. Even though tourists, for the most part, use CUC, it is handy to have a few Cuban pesos with you to pay for everyday items such as bus fare, tasty street food, or must-have flea market purchases. At the end of your trip, having a few Cuban pesos left in your pocket after departing the country is a nice remembrance of your time in Havana.

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4. Cuban Coffee

Cafe cubano de la marca Cubita Gourmet
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ivan2010 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Touting 100 percent naturally harvested coffee without the need for additives or chemicals, Cuban coffee is some of the most robust, flavorful, and freshest in the world. Grown in the high Sierra Maestra Mountains that provide a wonderful climate and rich soil perfect for growing coffee beans, Cuban coffee nearly outmatches cigars on the world stage. With a strong and distinctive taste, this classic morning beverage offers a kick that immediately perks you up and is integral to Cuban culture. When ordering java in Havana, sample the café Cubano - an espresso - or Cuban café con leche.

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5. Havana Club Rum

Havana Club Rum
Source: Pixabay

Rum is synonymous with Cuba and with good reason. This liquor made from sugarcane has been produced and consumed by locals as far back as the early colonial period. Havana Club Rum has become the go-to brand of this finely distilled spirit, taking the place of Bacardi - the grandaddy of rum that was once headquartered in Havana but closed up and moved to the Bahamas after Fidel Castro’s revolution. Havana Club Rum has proven an admirable competitor of Bacardi by winning several global competitions. Savor the good life by adding this rum to your next Cuba libre or mojito libation.

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6. Habana 1791 Perfumes

Perfumes
Source: Pexels

Habana 1791 is an enticing perfume establishment and laboratory in a fantastic mansion from the 1700s. Hand-crafted fragrances made from aromatic tropical flowers and wondrous historical artifacts fill the shelves. An enchanting blend of a perfume shop and working museum, the perfumes concocted at Habana 1791 are a must-have for anyone who enjoys the finer things in life. You’ll easily want to spend hours in this local landmark just breathing in the delightful scents such as orange blossom, jasmine, and lavender packaged in fanciful bottles.

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7. Guayaberas

Guayabera Guayaquileña
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Pablo Jarrín used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Along with Cuban cigars and rum, you can add guayaberas to the well-known items associated with this country. This loose-fitting, light-weight button-down garment with vertical rows of patterned holes for easy ventilation is the preferred choice in menswear during Cuba’s hot summer months. This traditional Cuban shirt made of breezy cotton or linen is worn throughout the world in such places as Southeast Asia and Latin America, but Cuba has enthusiastically embraced this uniquely designed piece of clothing. So, if you want to blend with the locals, buy a guayabera.

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8. Coconut Monkeys

Coconut monkeys (10424757715)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user ReflectedSerendipity used under CC BY-SA 2.0

If you’re a fan of primates, you won’t be able to resist these whimsical and eclectic keepsakes. Coconut monkeys are a fun, popular purchase found on just about every street corner in Havana. These adorable kitschy items are carved by hand from coconuts and have become a wacky symbol of Cuba. You can even find unique coconut carvings of famous people such as the late former Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Buy a few of these and you’re sure to add lots of fun flair to your home.

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9. Cuban Vintage Stamps or Coins

5 Pesos en or à l'effigie de José Marti
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user cgb used under CC BY-SA 3.0

From history buffs to ordinary tourists, snagging Cuban vintage stamps or coins is highly valued. Your best bet of finding such items is on Plaza de Armas - Havana’s oldest plaza comprised of delicious eateries and a good collection of secondhand bookstalls. These numerous establishments showcase bygone-era books, including several that talk about political and revolutionary subjects. Luckily, you can also uncover age-old coins, vintage stamps, and other revolution-related collectibles.

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10. Wood Handicrafts

Wood handicrafts
Source: Pixabay

From inexpensive handcrafted trinkets to expertly crafted sculptures, wood handicrafts are plentiful in Havana. Whether you’re on the hunt for a brassy, miniature 1950s car replica or a slick-looking figurine, you’re likely to find it in just about any gift shop or street market in the city. Overflowing with beach wood, Cuba offers an endless array of wood creations by talented local artists. Popular items to buy include a vintage American car model typically comprised of wood and soda cans, tiny wood figurines of either Fidel Castro or Che Guevara, and decorative ashtrays.

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Havana's enticing delights

Havana pulses with life, and a great way to remember this amazing city is with a souvenir. From one-of-a-kind cigars to easy-fitting guayabera clothing, Havana offers incredible items for an unforgettable vacation. You may even want to travel to this city for the souvenirs alone.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Catherine has written professionally for over 10 years, and a sizable amount has been travel writing. Her desire to see the world was sparked at a very young age. Growing up, there were many family...Read more

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