Shops in Havana: How And Where To Shop In Havana From A Local (2024)

Let’s face it, shopping mecca is not the first word that comes to mind when you think about the Cuban capital. But there are shops in Havana, so don’t panic.

Supermarkets in Havana are not like supermarkets anywhere else, and the malls are not like malls either. Or shops, or shopping in any form.

I was based in Havana for two years, and once, I was in a queue for 4 hours straight to get toilet paper during the pandemic. No joke!

So Havana is not your city if your main travel objective is to spend full days shopping. But that does not mean that shopping is impossible! 

Shops In Havana

You can absolutely go shopping in Cuba for new outfits and accessories, at least in larger cities like Havana, Trinidad, Santiago de Cuba, and Cienfuegos. 

However, shopping in the sense of spending the day in streets full of stores, looking for bargains on elegant outfits, shoes, bags, make-up, and all that is not really a realistic option.  

You can shop in Havana mainly for touristy items, Cuban cigars, and bottles of local rum.

Artwork by Cuba’s very skilled artists is also sold in the myriad of showrooms or little shops throughout the most visited cities.

Also read: 43 Best Things To Do In Havana Solo By A Local

So, is it possible to find shops in Havana?

Well, YES, it is. There are clothing stores in Havana if you want something to bring home or suddenly need something special. Allow me to show you where you can find what you need.

Shopping In Havana Cuba

Galeria De Tiendas At Manzana Kempinski Hotel

In the same building as the stylish Hotel Manzana, there is a high-end 1st-floor shopping mall. The hotel and mall are situated right between the end of Obispo Street and Parque Central and are easy to find. 

I used to come here to try to find coffee during the pandemic.

Most of the stores here are on the super pricey end of the spectrum. You can find designer brands of clothing, shoes, and accessories, as well as cosmetics and jewelry. 

One thing to be aware of is that these shops, which are so-called MCL stores, only accept credit cards.

Any shop in Cuba that the Cuban government owns is called an MLC store. These stores only accept credit cards with foreign currency, not cash.

At the end of the article, you can read a bit more about money and shopping in Cuba, which is particularly relevant for American nationals.

Brands Range From Armani To Mango

In Galeria de Tiendas, the shops you find range from high-end designer brand clothing like Armani and Versace to more mainstream clothing like Mango.

Also, there is lingerie, travel accessories, a whole L’Occitane brand shop, and an exclusive coffee shop called D’Cuba Coffee. 

You can also get jewelry, watches, perfumes, cosmetics, and, of course, rum and cigars.

Shops In Havana Obispo Street

The main street of Old Havana is a pedestrian street for the most part and is normally buzzing with life.

Here, you will find ice cream, street vendors, music and dancers, small kiosks, and bigger restaurants. And shops.

Most of the shops you find on Obispo Street are touristy places where you can buy Cuban rum, cigars, flip-flops, and t-shirts stating CUBA for your post-holiday summer outfits. 

However, there are some nice stores in Obispo as well. Sports stores in Obispo offer shoes and sporty outfits of good quality, and some clothing stores have nice clothes and shoes. 

One of my favorite clothes and accessories stores in Obispo is called Unico. Unico is the most “Western” shop I have found in Old Havana, with a cool and diverse range of items at a decent price.

The shop looks modest and closed from the outside, although they just recently started opening up window displays of clothes, which are not very common in Cuba.

You may expect some queue to get in though, but it will be worth it, if nothing else, for the experience.

Shops In Havana: Carlos III Mall

The Plaza de Carlos III Shopping Mall is a four-story shopping mall situated in the border area between Centro Havana and Vedado on Avenida Salvador Allende.

When this mall opened in the late 90ès, it was the largest shopping complex in Cuba, with lots of different shops, fast food outlets, a bank, a food market, and more. 

During the pandemic, all the malls were closed, but now things are all back to normal.

Prices, however, have been a lot higher than they were two years ago because of a combination of the pandemic, the trade situation, and the domestic reforms in Cuba in the last couple of years.  

📍 EpicNomadLife Tip: Get yourself a water bottle with a filter before your Cuba holiday, and you can drink water from anywhere!

Avenida San Rafael Across From Parque Central

The Avenida San Rafael starts just across Parque Central from Manzana Hotel, with Hotel Inglaterra on one side and Gran Teatro, the National Theater, on the other. 

The start of the avenue is easily recognizable by the statue of the couple embraced in a kiss right in the middle of the street. 

Outside of the entrance of the Hotel Inglaterra, there normally is a vibrant music scene along with restaurants serving drinks and meals under the stylish palisades.

A lot of little shops with everything from home decor to clothes to sweets to art to liquor stores surround the wide pedestrian zone in Avenida San Rafael that goes on for four long blocks.

The ambiance of Avenida San Rafael is a little more high-endìsh than Obispo Street, which has more of a tourist-in-slippers vibe.

Regardless of whether you have shopping goals or not, a stroll down San Rafael is a nice experience. 

The pedestrian Avenida San Rafael ends in a little park area where there are sometimes markets. You can rest on a park bench and connect to the Wi-Fi that is available there.  

Shopping In Plaza Vieja Old Havana

In Plaza Vieja in Old Havana, on the corner of Teniente Rey and Mercaderes Street, you find two incredibly discretely placed clothes shops.

The thing about Cuba and shopping is that there are never any large signs or windows letting you know that there is a shop inside (or what kind of shop, for that matter).

The first one is a United Colors of Benetton, and the other one is called Boutique Plaza Vieja. If you go up close and peek through the windows, you might just get a glimpse of what is inside.

Clandestina In Calle Villegas

Clandestina is a small, almost invisible, cool little shop in Calle (street) Villegas 403 in Havana Vieja, Old Havana. 

Just beside Parque Cristo, between scruffy buildings that look super run down and neglected, is a bright sign, and a wall painted in bright colors hides the Cuban contemporary design shop named Clandestina.

Inside are trendy t-shirts and hats, little bags with prints, and, of course, designer face masks these days. 

Here is what they say about themselves in the Clandestina shop! 

“Founded by young Cuban artists and entrepreneurs, Clandestina is Cubas first desing store – providing both tourists and residents with contemporary products that are uniquely designed and manufactured in Cuba. The Clandestina name is inspired by the Cuban film Clandestinos. A masterpiece about young and subversive revolutionaries. Clandestian means Cuan-made, progressive, contemporary, youthful, resourcefulness, playful humor and Carribean Happiness”.

The Vedado By Hotel Tryp Habana Libre

In Vedado, the modern district of Havana, a selection of shops are located around the open square plaza surrounding the entrance to Hotel Tryp Habana Libre.

They have a slightly touristy ambiance but sell light summer clothes and accessories like t-shirts, hats, shorts, and skirts.

You also find a liquor store on the corner of Calle (street) 23 and Calle L, just across from the Coppelia Ice Cream Bar.

Shopping, Money, And Credit Cards In Cuba

An increasing number of shops and restaurants in Cuba accept credit cards, but they are far from the majority. International credit cards can be used in large hotels and resorts and in MLC stores.

Due to the ongoing sanctions, American credit cards (or debit cards) are not accepted in Cuba, so US citizens can not use their cards in MLC stores.

Also, the United States has set a regulation on where US citizens can spend their money in Cuba, regulated on the Cuba restricted list. This includes facilities owned by the Cuban government, which also regulates in what shops American nationals can shop in Cuba.

As the Cuban government owns the MLC stores, US citizens can not spend money in there anyway.

These regulations do not apply to a Canadian citizen or any other nationality. I have a comprehensive article about money in Cuba that explains it all, including how you spend your money to “support the Cuban people.” 

Requirements For Traveling To Cuba

There are formally two kinds of travelers going to Cuba on a Cuba tourist visa. The first one is Americans, and the second one is everyone else.

American nationals can not legally travel to Cuba as tourists, BUT, the US Government has set a list of 12 preapproved reasons to travel to Cuba that does not require any paperwork or application process in the US.

The most popular and widely used one is “travel to help the Cuban people”. That is just a reason you decide for yourself, and state if anyone asks.

Due to the ongoing sanctions, US citizens must ensure they travel to Cuba within the regulations set by the US government.

All other nationalities travel normally to Cuba, with the travel documents required by Cuban authorities.

The exception is travelers stopping in a US airport as the last stop before arriving in Cuba. These travelers also need to get the pink Cuban tourist card.

Getting The Cuban Tourist Card

Secondly, US travelers need to get a pink Cuban tourist card or tourist visa for Cuba.

The rest of the world’s nationals buy a green tourist card, apart from travelers stopping in a US airport before Cuba.

You can buy a Cuban tourist visa from the Cuban consulate or embassy in your country and from selected airlines and travel agencies. This will normally include filling out an application form, which is merely a formality.

The easiest way to get both a pink and a green Cuba tourist card is from an online provider like Easy Tourist Card.

Your tourist card is valid for one single entry into Cuba, and you can stay in Cuba for 90+90 days, a total of 180 days, with one tourist card.

Other Visas For Cuba

If you want to travel to Cuba for other reasons, there are a variety of special visas you can apply for.

US nationals who would like assistance in planning their Cuba travel can contact a US travel agency or tour operator specializing in Cuba travel, which will make sure you travel within the regulations.

Cuban citizens, or Cubans with other citizenships, will still be considered Cuban nationals when entering Cuba and showing their Cuban passport.

Entry Requirements To Cuba

In addition to having a tourist card, whether a green or pink one, there are a few more entry requirements.

The first thing is that you need to register your entry beforehand on the d’viajeros page online form. And you need a valid passport.

You also need valid travel insurance, which includes health insurance coverage, when you enter Cuba.

American Airlines and Delta Airlines have daily departures for direct flights from Miami International Airport to Cuba.

The maximum quantity of cash you can bring into Cuba without disclosing anything in customs is $5000. This is nice to know for US citizens who will not be able to use US credit cards in Cuba.

FAQs Cuba Travel

Why are US citizens not allowed to travel to Cuba?

This is NOT correct. US citizens ARE ALLOWED to travel to Cuba.

Americans can choose a reason for Cuba travel among 12 pre-approved reasons for traveling to Cuba, determined by the US Government.

Can US citizens travel to Cuba as a tourist?

Technically, US citizens are NOT allowed to travel to Cuba as a tourist. Americans choose between 12 pre-approved reasons for Cuba travel, among which the most common one is “to help the Cuban people”.

American citizens still need to buy a tourist card, also called a tourist visa, to enter Cuba.

What are the 12 requirements to travel to Cuba?

You can read about the 12 pre-approved reasons to travel to Cuba for US citizens here.

The easiest and most common reason for Cuba travel is “to help the Cuban people.” There is no paperwork or application process connected to this; you just choose your reason and state that reason if anyone asks.

What happens if a US citizen travels to Cuba?

Nothing happens if a US citizen travels to Cuba apart from hopefully, the US citizen will have a fabulous holiday and encounter Cuban culture.

US citizens need to choose one of the pre-approved reasons to travel to Cuba and need to buy the PINK Cuban tourist card, also called a tourist visa.

Selected airlines sell this visa/tourist card, or you can buy one online.

What documents do I need to travel to Cuba?

You need the following documents to travel to Cuba:

• Passport valid for 6 months after the date of entry
• Cuban tourist card / tourist visa
• Proof of travel insurance, including health insurance
• Fill out the d’viajero.cu digital document before your journey

Do Americans need to be vaccinated to enter Cuba?

No, there is no requirement for specific vaccines prior to entering Cuba.

Your country’s health department probably has recommendations for what vaccines you should consider before entering Cuba.

How Do I get a tourist card for Cuba?

You can buy a tourist card online from Easy Tourist Card or from the Cuban embassy in your country.

You might also be able to buy a Cuban tourist card from your airline or at the airport prior to departure. A tourist card can be bought at Miami International Airport’s check-in counter for American Airlines and Delta Airlines.

How Do I Get A Tourist Visa For Cuba?

A tourist visa is the same as a tourist card for Cuba. You can buy it from the following places:

• Buy one online from Easy Tourist Card
• Buy one from your airline if they offer this
• Buy one at the airport of departure if they offer this
• Buy one from the Cuban Embassy in your country

Is Travel To Cuba Allowed Right Now?

Yes, Cuba travel is allowed right now.

American citizens need to, in addition, choose one of the 12 pre-approved reasons for traveling to Cuba (Americans can not travel as “tourists”) and follow some simple guidelines for traveling in Cuba.

Wrap-Up Shops In Cuba!

Although Havana is not a shopping mecca, you can find nice places to buy what you might need in the different districts of Havana.

My advice is still to lower your shopping expectations for this otherwise vibrant city, which is no real bother as there are so many other interesting things to do!

You can go shopping anywhere; Havana offers you a whole lot of different things. I really advise you to do your research before traveling to Cuba and Havana.

If you have limited time in the Cuban capital, consider going on one or a few organized tours to get the best of the city during your visit.

Related blog posts:

43 Best Things To Do In Havana Solo By A Local

Best Five star hotels in Havana Cuba From An Expert

11 Awesome Day Trips From Havana Cuba By A Local

Compare Flight Prices To Cuba Here!

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