Joanna James
While Cuba might be far from a paradise for seasoned shopaholics, it is still home to bustling markets full of colourful sights, and beautiful souvenirs to take back home to friends and family. Here is a list of must-visit market places to check out while visiting Cuba.
Burrowed in the heart of Old Havana, Plaza de Armas Secondhand Book Market is home to rows and rows of book collections, old magazines, and plenty of Hemingway novels. It's also a fantastic spot to hunt around for unique stamps, vintage posters, and beer labels available for bargain prices!
If you are an art lover, then Almacenes San Jose is a definite must-see. A two-story warehouse, this visually pleasing spot showcases a wide range of Cuban artists and includes thought-provoking paintings, jewelry, art deco, and more. It's also a great place to shop around for souvenirs. Do make sure to certify that the art piece you are purchasing is an original work and obtain a letter of provenance. If you are flying to the Caribbean on airline carriers such as interCaribbean Airways, do ensure your purchase is carefully packed as well.
An indoor market, the Galerias de Paseo, sheds light on a different and more refined aspect to Havana. While most shopping spots tend to offer a limited choice, this spot features high-end stores, which tend to attract the Cuban upper class and a lot of visiting foreigners.
Orisha Market makes for a fascinating stop and draws in believers of the Santeria religion. In an informal street market, shoppers come here to source ingredients that they need to ask the saints or orishas, as they are known in Spanish. Even though you might not be too keen on buying eggs, herbs and holy water, or any of the available ingredients, a stop at the culturally rich marketplace, is a great way to further immerse yourself in a different aspect of the local culture of Cuba. If you do speak good Spanish, you could also engage in a conversation with traders to discover more about what they are selling and what their ingredients are used for.
While Trinidad's cobbles streets are routinely converted into bustling outdoor markets, Pena figures as a top pick of the bunch. As it offers the widest and best variety of products. If you are a fashionista, you might be especially pleased, as this is one of the best places to shop around for the famous guayabera shirts to gift friends and family upon returning home. Other items one will be able to purchase while here include bolts of fine lace, masks, ceramic, and woodcarvings.
The sleepy little beach town of Guardalavaca is quite famous for its flea market. Where you will be able to find souvenirs at a fraction of the prices, compared to what is sold in Havana. So do consider stocking up before making your way back to the Capital.
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