What you can bring from Cuba: fill your backpack with rum, figurines, aromatic cigars and coffee. Shopping in Cuba: Havana, Varadero, Holguin

Customs regulations Cuba for Russian passengers on international flights. The customs service of the Republic of Cuba "La Aduana General de la Republica" has a little more than 3,000 employees, however, this is quite enough to provide all the functions assigned to this unit in full. People with the inscription “Aduana” on the uniform farm have achieved special achievements in the field of prompt detection of attempts to smuggle synthetic drugs; however, the Cuban customs service also detects organic drugs “from the gate.” This is what one cunning tourist was convinced of when, on August 25, 2013, he tried to smuggle 34 capsules with liquid cocaine through the customs office of the airport. Jose Marti in his own stomach (if the capsule was damaged, this “magician” could instantly “glue his flippers together”, so he will definitely serve time in prison for this “trick”, but will remain alive). In fact, the Cuban customs service is one of the most loyal to incoming tourists. Upon arrival at the airport, in the most conspicuous place, you will always see a table with an employee in an orange sleeveless jacket with black shoulder straps, on whose table there is a sign “Supervisor de Aduana” - this is the person who will help you learn all the intricacies of passing customs control and will put his comrades in black in the safe hands sleeveless vests with a golden inscription on the back "ADUANA CUSTOMS". A rather interesting fact about the customs rules of Cuba is that, according to the Customs rules of Cuba, a tourist has the right to duty-free transportation of 25 kilograms of personal belongings (does not apply to electrical appliances), everything else is subject to payment of duty at the rate of 10 pesos per kilogram, but at the same time, according to customs rules Cuba provides a tax rebate of 50.99 pesos. As a result, we get 30 kilograms without paying duty. Another interesting fact is that up to 10 summer age a child can carry without paying duty only those things that he is able to carry himself. Those over 10 years of age may receive an "adult" baggage allowance provided they help carry the luggage for an adult. It should also be taken into account that passengers arriving in Cuba for the purpose of “tourism” are not eligible for duty-free import of household items (including hair dryers and electric kettles). The approach to transporting medicines is very interesting. According to the customs rules of Cuba, a passenger can bring up to 10 kilograms of medicines into Cuba without paying customs duties (original packaging and separately from the rest of the luggage)!!! Regarding the export of cigars from Cuba, an interesting situation has also developed (from 50 cigars must be declared, they can be confiscated if there is no necessary documents. Read more on the website of the customs of the Republic of Cuba in the section "FAQ regarding Export of Cigars"). For passengers arriving by air (or - it doesn’t matter at all) for the purpose of “tourism”, the customs rules of Cuba provide for the following action: mandatory export of imported valuables (marked upon import as “personal belongings” and exempt from duty) before the expiration of 30 days of stay in the country.
Since Cuba's customs regulations may change over time, before flying to Cuba, you should familiarize yourself with the latest information, which is published on the official website of "La Aduana General de la Republica".

Cuban customs rules for Russian passengers on international flights.

• Import and export of currency.
• What can you bring into Cuba with exemption from customs duties?

Import and export of currency.

Filling out a declaration for the import and export of funds to Cuba is a mandatory procedure! According to the customs rules of Cuba, an amount of 5,000 usd (or its equivalent in other currencies and payment instruments) is subject to mandatory declaration! Export of an amount over 5,000 usd is possible only if such an amount was declared upon entry into the country or if there are documents confirming the legal purchase of this currency. It should be taken into account that in Cuba there are 2 currencies: the regular Peso and the second, rather interesting currency - the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC), and so the export of these same “Pesos Convertibles” is strictly prohibited.

What goods are subject to mandatory declaration?

When passing through customs control, you must enter in the customs declaration:

• goods not intended for personal use.
• goods whose value exceeds the duty-free limit (1000 pesos).
• goods, the quantity of which exceeds the amount established for exemption from customs duties (tobacco products, alcoholic drinks, medicines and other duty-free goods).
• goods subject to import bans or restrictions.

The following goods for personal use can be imported into the customs territory of Cuba with exemption from customs duties:

The following goods for personal use or as a gift can be carried in your personal luggage with an exemption from customs duties:

• Tobacco products: 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500 grams of smoking tobacco.

• Alcoholic drinks: 2.5 liters of alcoholic beverages.

• Medicines: Import of up to 10 kilograms of medicines that are not prohibited for import, provided that the medicines are transported separately from the rest of the baggage and the original packaging is not damaged. It is allowed to transport psychotropic and hallucinogenic medications necessary for the duration of your stay in the country.

• Other goods: Citizens of the Russian Federation can bring into Cuba personal items necessary during travel, duty-free in the amount of up to 1,000 pesos. Personal items are understood as objects and things that a foreigner visiting the country uses, consumes or uses for his own purposes. professional activity. At the same time, the quantity and purpose of these things and items must correspond to the nature and purpose of the trip around the country. According to data published on the official website of the customs service of the Republic of Cuba, personal belongings should be understood as: A device for measuring blood pressure or glucose. Jewelry and personal items. Clothing, footwear, personal hygiene items and toiletries, if they come in quantities that imply personal use. Mobile phone, camera or portable video camera and its accessories. Portable TV. Personal Computer. Means for transporting and feeding small children. A portable device for recording and playing back sounds, images, and other data (MP3, MP4, etc.), along with an appropriate set of portable headphones and accessories. A portable compact disc (CD) player and/or DVD player, etc., together with their corresponding set of portable headphones and accessories. Portable receiver, Portable TV, laptop for personal use. Portable typewriter, tent and camping equipment. Binoculars for personal use. Sports equipment (canoe or kayak with a length of less than 5.50 meters; a set of fishing accessories; a bicycle (without engine); a pair of skis, two rackets, two walkie-talkies (walkie-talkie with mandatory indication in the declaration) and other similar items).
  For children under 10 years of age who can only carry their own personal items: 2 toys, 2 electronic games or electrical devices for personal use.
  Exceeding the weight (25 kg) or value (1000 pesos) of these items will be considered as permanently imported items and duty will be charged on them. (Progressive rate: for goods costing from $51.00 to $500.99 - 100%; from $501.00 to $1000.00 - 200%).

Prohibitions and restrictions on import into Cuba.

When importing into Cuba, import bans apply to:

Drugs.
Products of animal origin (all types of ungulates that can be carriers of dangerous diseases).
Pornography.
Explosives.
Motorcycles and bicycles with internal combustion engines.
Portable electric stoves.
Electric water heaters.
Electric irons without a steam generator with a power of 290 W/hour or with a steam generator with a power of 703 W/hour.
Electric fryers.
Electric toasters.

Import restrictions into Cuba.

Weapons (firearms, sharp objects and other objects that can be used as weapons, etc.) and ammunition.
Live animals.
Samples or other items imported for trade purposes.
Satellite positioning systems (SPS, GPS)
Satellite communication equipment.
Other means of communication (wireless data transmission devices, walkie-talkies, radio microphones, cordless phones, with the exception of those operating in the ranges: 40-49 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 1900 MHz.)
Works of art and museum exhibits.
Any valuable item that the passenger intends to take with him when leaving the country.

Transport of medicines.

You can import for personal use medications classified as hallucinogenic and psychotropic in a volume corresponding to the prescribed treatment for the duration of your stay in Cuba. For import medicines from blood derivatives and biological products (vaccines, serums, strains of microorganisms) it is necessary to obtain a license from the Ministry of Health (MINSAP).

Transportation of animals

Transport of animals included in the list of rare and endangered species protected by the "Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna" into Cuba is possible only with a CITES certificate. Pets such as dogs and cats can be brought into Cuba upon presentation of health and vaccination certificates obtained in Russia. However, the animal will still be placed in quarantine and released from it only after passing veterinary control.

I sometimes had difficulties buying souvenirs in Cuba. The shortage in the country affects the tourism infrastructure itself, and first of all it affects shopping. IN major cities I was embarrassed by the lack of choice, and in tourist villages - high prices. And yet I brought more gifts from Cuba than from many other countries in Latin America. And now I want to tell you what you should pay attention to and where to go for souvenirs to surprise and delight your loved ones upon returning from Liberty Island.

Cigars

Cigars are one of the main gifts that tourists bring even to non-smoking friends. There is a simple explanation for this - in Cuba you can buy a good cigar 10 times cheaper than in European countries. However, it is important to understand that not all cigars on Liberty Island are of high quality, and sometimes it is impossible to distinguish a fake from the original. I’ll tell you below how to make a choice and not bring a rolled-up toilet paper to your friend.

Types of cigars. What is "puro"

In Cuba there are two types of cigars, between which there is a fundamental difference - some are produced by world-famous tobacco factories, others are made directly on farms. Which one to choose is up to you.

• Factory cigars. There are several large cigar factories in Cuba. The most popular brands are without a doubt Cohiba, Romeo y Juieta and Montecristo. These are premium cigars - prices in Russia start at 40 USD per piece. In Cuba, the cost of cigars from these brands is much lower - from 4 to 20 USD, depending on the variety and region. They are sold individually (in individual packaging) or in boxes of 4 to 30 pieces. Factory-made cigars have a fairly long shelf life - up to 6 years in a closed place. Each brand and variety has a special aroma, they differ in the level of softness and richness.
• "Puro"- these are cigars rolled directly on a tobacco farm. Their shelf life is much shorter (up to 3 years in a closed place where foreign odors do not penetrate), they are not decorated with labels and are sold in natural reed packaging. However, it was “puro” that I chose when it came time to buy cigars for friends. The fact is that they are rolled and dried under natural conditions without any chemicals, and the “home style” of production makes “puro” a unique product that you cannot buy in European tobacco stores.

Where can I buy

You can buy factory-made cigars at any gift shop, airport or on the factory, where tourists come independently or as part of an excursion group. Cigars will cost the cheapest in the “tobacco region” - in the vicinity of Viñales and Pinar del Rio; they will cost you the most in resorts, for example in Varadero.

You can buy “puro” only at tobacco farms, which are located in Viñales and the surrounding area. Since this type of cigar has no identification marks, it is very easy to counterfeit.

In addition to the cigars themselves, in the city souvenir markets you will find many accessories everywhere: stands, knives, ashtrays and much more. Such small souvenirs for 3-5 USD will be both a good addition to a cigar and a separate Caribbean gift for smoking friends.

What cigars should you not buy?

When I first arrived in Havana, I was happy to buy a cigar from a street vendor for 0.08 (!) USD. Then it seemed to me that tobacco grew in every yard in Cuba, and there was no point in even doubting the naturalness of cigars. At first glance, the purchase did not have a pungent odor, and it was difficult for me to determine its quality, as a person who knows little about tobacco. However, after I tried to smoke a cigar and put the rest in my bag, the disgusting smell of waste began to haunt me. A little later, I found out that banana leaves and toilet paper, which they actively add to their rolled-up cigarettes, are much cheaper for Cubans than tobacco. Mostly such cigars are bought by local residents who do not have money for branded tobacco products. But uninformed tourists often become victims of such situations. And this is not the most offensive misunderstanding that can happen to you.

On one of the beaches, a merchant approached me with a large box of Romeo y Julieta cigars. It had all the identifying marks - labels, stamps and even some kind of document confirming quality. He offered to buy a box for 30 USD, while in stores they cost about 100. I thought that the man had taken the box from the company’s factory, and almost fell for the trick. The only thing that saved me was that I didn’t have enough money with me. Then I found out that factory workers actually take everything needed from the factories to sell cigars - with the exception of the tobacco products themselves, which they roll themselves from the same banana leaves.

In general, if you want to buy a tobacco cigar, don't buy it on the street. Just don’t believe any, even the most convincing, tricks and go straight to the farm or gift shop.

Rum

Rum is the only thing that has not been affected by the shortage in the country. In Cuba, rum is drunk everywhere and always, and it is sold in the most incredible packaging. For example, in a store I once grabbed a small cardboard bag of juice without looking, but it turned out that it was also pure rum.

There is a huge selection of this drink in Cuba, because all classes of the local population and tourists enjoy drinking it here. I will list a few of the most popular brands.

• Havana Club- not a rare brand in our area. It can be bought in any supermarket, which is why tourists rarely perceive it as a good Cuban gift. However, I still advise you to pay attention to Havana Club. This rum has earned worldwide fame for a reason. It is famous for its excellent quality, and the advantage of buying it in Cuba is the price. If in any duty-free shop in the world you cannot find a bottle of young white rum for less than 15 USD, then on Liberty Island you can buy aged dark rum for the same money.
• Santiago de Cuba can also be found in our supermarkets. This rum is produced in the cultural capital of the country, the city of Santiago de Cuba, and is most often purchased by tourists who have visited the eastern part of the island and are imbued with the spirit of Santiago. The cost of a bottle starts from 4 USD, but I still advise you to pay attention to dark rum, which has better quality (due to aging) and a richer aroma. In this case, the price per bottle will be at least 8 USD.
• Cubay- a real local rum that not only tourists, but also some local residents can afford in Cuba. Its prices are comparable to Santiago de Cuba, and I also advise you to pay attention to aged rum, as young Cubay has a rather sharp taste.

Where can I buy

Cuban rum is the only reason you should go to the local ones grocery stores. The selection of other products (or rather, the lack thereof) is very disappointing, but 20 types of rum brighten up the emptiness of the shelves. In some grocery stores(especially in small towns) rum is also sold by the glass, and you can try one or another type before buying a bottle.

You can also purchase rum at airport. At the time of my stay, the choice in Havana duty free was limited to the Havana Club and Santiago de Cuba brands, and in the cafe on the 1st floor I again came across the ill-fated “pack of rum”. Prices at the airport are 10-15% higher than in grocery stores, but this is not critical compared to how much these brands cost here. The only place where you shouldn't buy rum is in souvenir shops. There, prices for this drink are greatly and unreasonably increased, especially at resorts.

Coffee

Another popular gift from Liberty Island is coffee. But I must immediately warn you that in Cuba there is a very specific method of roasting. The grains are roasted almost to the point of charcoal, and the drink has a black color and a slightly burnt smell. Cubans brew it very strongly and add a lot of sugar, which is why the term “cafe cubano” appeared in the world, meaning sweet espresso. In the mornings, I bought coffee from street stalls for 0.08 USD and became so addicted to the drink that I couldn’t resist bringing a package of beans with me.

Types of coffee

At souvenir markets, you will probably hear every now and then that the brands sold here are premium varieties of Cuban coffee. But more reliable sources write that local brands are almost no different from each other, and export varieties are sent directly abroad, without stopping on Liberty Island and, especially, at souvenir shops. Therefore, I will divide all the coffee you can buy in Cuba into two categories - branded and homemade.

• Branded coffee, as I wrote above, there are practically no differences. Therefore, when choosing coffee, there is only one important rule: you should buy grains. Ground coffee in Cuba is not only made from bad and damaged fruits, but it is also diluted with roasted peas.
• Homemade coffee sold at farms in Viñales. I chose it, considering it an environmentally friendly and unusual gift. However, from their own experience they can say that its taste is not much different from what is sold in stores, and the roasting of beans by local residents is as strong as in factories.

Where can I buy

Tourists have to buy branded coffee in souvenir shops , since on the shelves grocery supermarkets the selection is usually limited to the ground coffee that locals drink. However, if you manage to find beans in a regular store, feel free to take them. Prices range from 12 to 17 USD per kg.

Homemade coffee should only be purchased at farmse. You can visit one of the plantations on your own while walking through Viñales, or hire a local guide. The main thing is not to buy it on the streets or in large cities. There is no way real coffee from plantations can get to Havana or Santiago. The cost of such coffee is 8-10 USD per kg.

Paintings

There are many talented craftsmen living in Cuba, so on the streets of tourist cities you will see paintings here and there - one of the most popular types of souvenirs on Liberty Island. The works of art depict the life of ordinary Cubans, landscapes of colonial cities or beaches, as well as a host of allusions to revolutionary themes.

Where can I buy

In most tourist towns and resorts, paintings are sold directly to streets. Their prices vary from 10 to 70 USD. However, in popular populated areas(like Trinidad and Varadero) in Lately more and more is opening up art galleries. Most of them are free to enter, but the selection will be completely opposite to what you can find on the street. As a rule, the galleries exhibit popular young artists, and the assortment consists of works of contemporary art, which, in my opinion, have much less Cuban aesthetics. Such paintings will cost from 100 USD and above.

Clothes and accessories

On the streets of tourist cities in Cuba, stalls with clothes line one after another. Most often, tourists buy it not so much as a gift, but for themselves. These are mainly things designed for hot weather - light linen dresses and trousers, straw hats and beach bags. Leather products are also sold, such as belts and backpacks. But I recommend that you sniff them carefully first, as many have a strong goat smell. Prices for products vary greatly different regions- from 7-10 USD for an accessory and from 15-20 for a piece of clothing. Also, jewelry is sold at each store: beads, bracelets and earrings made of nuts, seeds and coffee beans for 2-10 USD. These items significantly lift the spirits of travelers, because with such accessories you feel much more like you are vacationing in the Caribbean.

Where can I buy

Many people hope to purchase elements of authentic Cuban clothing in regular local stores. But I dare to disappoint you - urban shopping centers are a very sad sight. The choice of clothing and accessories there is very small, and the assortment consists entirely of Chinese products. Therefore, you can dress yourself in Cuban style only in souvenir shops.

Revolutionary souvenirs

The Cuban Revolution is the most striking symbol of the Island of Liberty, which will remain in the minds of people for a long time. Therefore, revolutionary-themed souvenirs are sold out quickly and willingly here. These may be products with prints of Cuban flags and revolutionary mottos, but the main “brand”, without a doubt, is Che Guevara. It is used on T-shirts, bags, beach towels and caps. Another popular souvenir is a headdress similar to what Che wore - you can buy it at the shops for 7-10 USD. In addition to standard factory-made accessories, there are also more interesting revolutionary souvenirs. For example, in one of the galleries in Trinidad I saw a painting for sale that was an allusion to “ last supper", where Fidel sat at the head of the table instead of Jesus.

Where can I buy

As a rule, such products are brought to Cuba from China, and souvenir shops the prices for it are unreasonably increased. Therefore, if you have the opportunity, go for such gifts to one of souvenir markets in Havana. There you can buy revolutionary little things from 2 USD apiece.

Exotic souvenirs

Cuba also sells many small souvenirs made of wood, clay and straw. These are toys, figurines and other interior elements. You can buy them everywhere, prices for small souvenirs start from 2 USD. I will not list them all in detail, but will tell you about the most exotic types of gifts, which have practically no analogues in all of Latin America.

• Products made of crocodile skin and bones can only be bought at crocodile farms, which are located near the resorts of Playa Larga and Cayo Coco. It is very likely that you will be offered them in Havana, but to be honest, I would have doubts about their origin. In addition, you can go to one of the farms as part of an excursion group from Havana, Cienfuegos or Trinidad, spending only a few hours. IN souvenir shops Farms I was most surprised by the decorations made of crocodile bone - I had never seen them either before or after that day. These are mainly earrings and bracelets costing from 1 to 20 USD. In addition, the range includes products made of crocodile skin and stuffed animals. By the way, there are several restaurants on the farm’s territory where you can try crocodile meat.
• Tortoiseshell combs sold in the same region as crocodile jewelry. This is a very beautiful gift, prices for which start at 20 USD per piece. You can find them at the crocodile farm, as well as in souvenir shops in Cienfuegos and Trinidad.
• Black coral jewelry- very beautiful things that are sold at Cuban resorts. Prices start at 20 USD per product, and to confirm quality, I would advise asking the sellers for a certificate for the product.
• Shamanic accessories, in my opinion, they will be a rather strange gift, but many tourists treat them with special curiosity. Santeria, a mixture of African and Catholic religions practiced by many Cubans, is very popular in Cuba. Santeros wear white clothes and perform rituals, including sacrificial ones. Officially, Santeria is prohibited in Cuba, but that is why it arouses more curiosity among foreigners. On the streets, here and there I came across stalls with shamanic accessories - mostly talismans against the evil eye and other bad luck. Their prices start from 1-2 USD, but sellers can charge tourists any price. It must be said that they are reluctant to sell their goods to vacationers and hardly engage in communication. Perhaps due to a government ban, or perhaps due to personal beliefs.

Havana. Souvenir shops and flea markets

While in most tourist towns and resorts you will find souvenir shops every now and then, in the endless string of Havana streets it is better to know where to go in advance. Firstly, here you can buy factory-made souvenirs much cheaper than in tourist villages. Secondly, there are quite interesting shops with goods here. self made. Thirdly, there is a flea market in Havana where you can find absolutely unique things. About the most interesting places I will tell you below, and you can see their location on the map.

• Almacenes San Jose Souvenir Market, perhaps, is the most popular in Cuba. Here you can buy both factory-made gifts (figurines, T-shirts, ceramic ashtrays and magnets) and handmade items, including paintings. Don't be surprised if product prices seem high at first - bargain hard and you can cut the price in half. Don't be shy about pretending to leave - this action quickly convinces sellers to take your side in the auction. The market opens around 9-10 am and runs until 6 pm.
• Plaza Vieja- one of the main squares of the city. You should walk around it carefully, as on every street you will come across interesting souvenir shops, including stylish boutiques with handicrafts.
• Plaza de Armas- the area where the flea market is located. I was here on Saturday, and the entire area of ​​the square was lined with stalls. They say that in weekdays There are fewer sellers here, but only they themselves can know the exact work schedule of the traders. They sell small trinkets for 3-5 USD - badges, jewelry and coins, as well as quite expensive antiques (from 50 USD), as well as many old books. When purchasing products, be careful - you may be detained at customs with expensive antique products. Sellers at Plaza de Armas know nothing about the rules for exporting goods, so this question remains on your conscience.
• Paseo de Prado (Paseo de Prado)- a wide avenue where most street artists sell their works. There is a really large selection of paintings here, and prices start from 5-8 USD.
• Fin de Siglo- a small souvenir market. It is located a little further from the center than other retail outlets, and is not so popular among tourists, so you can buy souvenirs here at the cheapest prices. Exact time how the market works remains a mystery to me, so it’s better to come here from 11 to 17, when it is guaranteed to be open.

How to avoid being deceived

Unfortunately, in Cuba they love to scam tourists. This is the only factor that slightly overshadowed my trip. However, we must understand that people are forced to take such actions by poverty and scarcity, and such things should be treated calmly. Following the simplest precautions will help you avoid unpleasant moments and return home with quality souvenirs.

• Don't buy anything on the street. I don’t mean malls and flea markets, but I’m talking about second-hand goods. Anywhere in Cuba you will be approached by such " individual entrepreneurs"with packs of cigars, bottles of the "best rum" and other things. Don't even start a conversation with them. You can start speaking Russian so that the merchant realizes that you do not understand him, or simply refuse, but very sharply - otherwise they will persuade you for several more hours.
• Don't go to "country fairs". This is a very popular scam. Walking around Old Havana, you will now and then hear the almost Indian “Hello, my friend!” Never respond to a greeting. Otherwise, a person (or several) will immediately run up to you and begin to tell you that only today a village fair is being held on the next street with the best goods from Cuban farmers. As a result, you are quickly escorted to a suspicious back room and sold as many low-quality cigars and rum as they can. Unfortunately, this scam works well, since weekend fairs in Russian cities are not something unusual, and people easily take it for granted. However, in Cuba the system is completely different. 90% of farm goods (coffee, cane, tobacco) are seized by the state for factory production. Only 10% remains with the farmers themselves - even theoretically this would not be enough to distribute throughout the cities. That is why high-quality household goods can only be bought on the plantations themselves and nowhere else.
• Bargain. Of course, all Cubans think that every tourist is a bag of money. Therefore, they are often reluctant to bargain. But you have to try, since prices in most retail outlets are greatly inflated. Try to buy several things in one place. As a rule, in this case, sellers relax and are more willing to give big discounts.

Customs regulations

Before you buy souvenirs for the whole family, ask yourself the question “Will I be able to take this away?” Customs rules in socialist Cuba are complicated. They are constantly changing in favor of tourists, but there are still many nuances that you need to know. Our customs often finds fault with the standards, carefully counting how many cigars each tourist brought. Perhaps there is an even greater risk of saying goodbye to any item upon arrival in Russia, since in Cuba the luggage of foreigners is now checked less and less often. Below I will talk about customs prohibitions and restrictions.

Items that cannot be exported

• Stuffed birds and animals, feathers and leather. This point does not apply to crocodiles, which I will discuss below;
• It is officially prohibited to export national currency. However, it seems to me that this question arises only if the tourist has large sums. Neither Cuban nor our customs will take away from you a few cookies that you decided to take home as a souvenir;
• Sea shells and raw corals;
• Art objects and artifacts of historical value. This does not apply to paintings that you buy on the street, but at the Plaza de Armas flea market you may well find antiques that will raise questions at the airport.

Souvenirs with limited quantities

This item applies to the most popular types of gifts - rum and cigars.

• It is prohibited to export more than 2 liters (or 3 bottles) of rum;
• At the time of my trip, it was not allowed to export more than 25 cigars. Now, as far as I know, the permissible standard has been increased to 50 pieces. If you want to export more tobacco products, you will need a special certificate.

Souvenirs that require a certificate for export

In Cuba, I learned one rule: if you buy an expensive item, ask the seller for a certificate. This is useful not only for customs, but also for your own peace of mind. Below I will provide a list of items for which you may be required to have a special document at the airport.

• Expensive paintings and art objects. If you purchase a painting from a gallery, ask if it requires a certificate. The sales people in these places are very knowledgeable and will be able to help you;
• If you want to take more than 50 cigars out of Cuba, you should buy them only in branded stores. There you will be given a document allowing you to take away tobacco products worth up to 2000 USD;
• A certificate is required for the export of products made from crocodile skin and stuffed crocodiles;
• Coral jewelry also requires a special document.

Finally

Despite numerous prohibitions and shortages of goods, it is a fabulous fertile land. Choose gifts wisely, be attentive and careful, and souvenirs from Liberty Island will give you and your loved ones the most pleasant memories for a long time.

Freedom-loving Cuba impresses travelers so much that everyone wants to take a piece of this magical island with them.

Even those who have not been to Cuba immediately remember the “main” Cuban values ​​- rum and cigars. Cuba is indeed famous for producing these pleasures of life, but there are things that are more entertaining.

We will try to compile a list of the “most Cuban” souvenirs, decide on gifts for family and friends, ask the price of luxury goods and try to smuggle a machete across the border.

If you're flying to Cuba, what can you bring back?

Let us immediately warn the gullible traveler: you can’t buy souvenirs in Cuba everywhere.
The reason lies in local laws: the goods you purchase must be accompanied by an export license.
If it’s not there, money is wasted.

It is better to make purchases in licensed stores, which are usually attached to hotels. You should also trust large shopping centers.

Now about payment methods.

There are two currency units in use in Cuba: the peso and the dollar.

Usually in large stores they use " green friends» wanderers, and in markets and small souvenir shops - pesos.

If there is a dollar sign in front of the product on the price tag, this does not mean that the price is correct. Always check with sellers about the currency in which you will have to pay.

Don't forget to bargain - it's common here.

Top 5 best Cuban souvenirs

We have placed Cuban cigars and coffee in a special section, so now we will concentrate on items that are not inferior to them in terms of “iconicity”.

1. Rum. Cuba is the birthplace of “pirate liquid.” There are many varieties of this wonderful drink.
   If you answer the question: what rum should I bring? The most popular brand is “Havana Club”.
   Pay attention to three varieties of this brand:
   • "Carta Oro"
   • "Carta Blanca"
   • "Anejo".

   The aging of these varieties can reach 25 years.

   By the way, you are allowed to export no more than two liters of the drink. However, customs officers sometimes turn a blind eye to alcoholic excesses.

2. Black corals. Cubans believe that black coral has unique magical properties.
   Jewelry made from it should be purchased carefully: 90% of what is sold in local markets is fake. Most often, tourists are tricked into buying corallino - cow horn.
   Black coral (if it is original) always glows red in the light.
   If the purchased jewelry contains precious inlays, and you do not have the appropriate permit, get ready for problems at customs.
3. Guyabera. This textile souvenir will appeal to men. Guyabera is a men's shirt (usually colorful, but there are also plain guyaberas).
   By adding a sombrero (traditional Cuban hat) to the gift, you can turn any European into a real Cuban revolutionary.
4. Musical instruments. You can unearth many original instruments in Cuba. For example:
   • clave (sticks used to set the rhythm);
   • drums;
   • maracas;
   • bongos

   Instruments from souvenir shops are not intended for playing, so if you dream of a real bongo, go to a specialized store.

5. Images of Che Guevara. In Cuba, Comandante Che is a national hero. His face can be found on clothes (usually T-shirts) and household items.
   It’s difficult to catch a decent thing in a sea of ​​consumer goods, but it’s worth looking for.

Can you immediately answer the following question: what to bring from Cuba besides rum and cigars? Not all tourists cope with this task. But Freedom Island is home to delicious coffee, unshakable symbols of the revolution, unusual decorations, juicy fruits and much more.

Shopping in Cuba seems impossible at first. There is a shortage in the country, and for tourists prices in resort towns are so jacked up that it’s a shame. But in fact, it’s worth taking a walk through the markets, shops, and shops in factories to make sure that you can bring something interesting from this country. We hope our tips will help you navigate.

Cuba has two national currencies - the convertible and non-convertible Cuban peso (see our converter for the current exchange rate to the ruble and other currencies). We are interested in the first option - the second is only for locals. The convertible Cuban peso can be called "cuc". This is how it is accepted, and you will be understood everywhere. It is most profitable to travel to Cuba with euros, since when exchanging dollars you will be charged a large commission almost everywhere (sometimes up to 20%).

You can change money at banks, airports or hotels. The first option is most profitable. Please note that this must be done, since foreign currency is not in use in Cuba. You can pay with cards. True, there are failures with American payment systems, so be on the safe side. Let us remind you that the tax-free system does not work in Cuba.

So, what can you bring from Cuba?

Large shopping centers in Cuba are only in Havana. So if you don’t go to the capital of Liberty Island, you will have to limit yourself to shopping in markets and small shops. However, you can find something interesting here too.

During the day, most shops in Cuba take a siesta break. True, this tradition here is not as sacred as, for example, in. So cities do not “die out” completely.

Local production

In Cuban markets, clothing and accessories are very bright, beautiful, and inexpensive. It's just that the quality is sometimes poor. Almost everything here is synthetic. It's worth trying to find organic cotton or linen. If you find it, feel free to take it, as such things will serve you for a long time.

Leather

Let us warn you right away: reviews from tourists about purchasing crocodile leather goods in Cuba are often negative. To avoid problems, consider a few important points. The markets in Cuba have a huge selection of products made from this exotic leather, and many people buy them often. Moreover, the prices here are 3 or even 5 times lower than in stores.

However, at the border many tourists are asked to show an export license. And if stores always attach such paper to your belt, wallet, bag, jacket or any other product, then they will not give it to you at the market. Is it worth the risk for an attractive price? It’s up to you to decide. However, we would advise buying crocodile leather items in Cuba only in stores.

In Cuba, things are sold that are not made of exotic leather. Prices are low: a belt can be bought for about 6 cookies, a wallet for 8-10, a bag for 18-20.

Guayabera

In Cuban shops and markets you will often see special style shirts. You might have seen them on Liberty Island officials. These are the guayaberas. These shirts are made from natural fabrics, so they will be comfortable in hot weather.

Shoes

In the tourist area of ​​Varadero you can buy inexpensive flip flops or sandals. True, the quality here leaves much to be desired. But if you go shopping in Havana, we advise you to look into the shoe stores of large shopping centers. Shoes are sold here at relatively low prices. Yes, this is not a colorful Cuban shopping experience, but it is still useful for women to know that they can return from vacation with a new pair of shoes of excellent quality.

If you're vacationing in Holguin or walking around Havana, stop by the local leather shoe boutiques for some shopping. We talked about crocodile skin a little higher. It makes sense to take a closer look at shoes or sandals made from this material.

Decorations

We advise women to bring black coral jewelry from Cuba. Incredibly beautiful earrings, pendants, beads, necklaces, bracelets - all this is not too expensive, but is highly valued. Black coral is a real calling card of Cuba, so don’t ignore it. Prices for such jewelry start from about 25 cookies. Remember that fakes are often found in markets.

No less popular among tourists are jewelry made from turtle shells. These are massive bracelets, earrings, hairpins and other accessories. A standard comb costs approximately 20 kuk.

If you are looking for a gift for women or girls you know in Cuba, take a closer look at them. As a budget colorful souvenir from Cuba, you can bring jewelry made from nut shells or coffee beans. It is unlikely that this can be found anywhere else. Their prices start from 2 cookies.

Cosmetics and medicines

In Cuba, it’s worth buying locally produced perfumes – you won’t find them anywhere else. They are made from local varieties of exotic plants. They are completely natural and have no alcohol base. The most popular manufacturer in this category is Suchel Camacho. Popular scents: Coral Negro, Mariposa, Vegueros. It makes sense to buy perfume in Cuba not only for women, but also for men.

Skin care products are produced under the same brand. Women can buy Cuban cream - for themselves or as a gift, as the quality will be decent. The company's products are controlled by the state. Of course, it became a monopolist on the Cuban market.

As for medications, the issue is quite controversial. Local patients are treated with drugs of their own production. International standards they are not recognized, but tourists praise them. Medicines from sugar cane, shark cartilage, propolis, popular algae spirulina, etc. Everything is natural, as simple as possible, and if you don’t buy it in the markets, it’s of high quality. Whether you buy medicine in Cuba or not is up to you.

↓ Use the form to find a hotel in Varadero at a good price. Eat great options with sea views! ↓

Souvenirs

You can buy souvenirs in Havana in souvenir shops at hotels or in markets. We recommend checking out the famous San Jose market, located in old port warehouses - there is a lot of interesting things here. It is also worth a look at Plaza Vieja, around which the main shopping centers are concentrated.

If you're on holiday in Varadero and don't want to spend too much time shopping, head to Plaza America. Here you can buy all the standard souvenirs: from Fidel magnets to rum and coffee sets. If you have a little more time, take a stroll through the shopping arcades on Avenida 1.

Cigars

Most often, tourists bring cigars from Cuba. Moreover, many even buy them for non-smoking friends - just as a souvenir. This is understandable, because Cuban cigars are considered the best in the world. In the manufacturer’s homeland, they cost 8-10 times cheaper than in European countries or Russia. And in general, this is a symbol of Liberty Island - it’s hard not to succumb to the temptation to buy at least one thing, even if you don’t need cigars at all.

What are they?

There are two types of cigars sold in Cuba: factory-made and handmade. The first ones are sold in packages with holograms - they are difficult to confuse. The latter should only be purchased in specialized stores, factories or tobacco farms. But it’s better not to take them on the street or at the market.

How much can you take out?

Tourists often ask how many cigars can be taken from Cuba. Well, Liberty Island lives up to its name and does not limit you in anything - as long as you have the receipt with you. True, this rule only works if the cigars are wrapped in a special package with a hologram. If they are not marked, you will not be able to export more than 23 pieces. However, remember that our customs has different rules: it is prohibited to import more than 50 cigars per person into Russia.

In a word, read carefully so that you don’t have any problems at the border. However, if you are bringing cigars from Cuba as a gift and in reasonable quantities, there is definitely nothing to worry about. Perhaps about your health: we are not the Ministry of Health or the treating doctor, but still it is our duty to remind you that smoking harms your body.

Where to buy?

In order not to run into a fake, it is best to go for “tobacco” shopping at the Cigar Museum in Havana. Also in the Cuban capital, you can visit the Partagas plant on a tour, and then look into the store next to it.

If you are vacationing in Holguin, Varadero or other resort cities, it is best for you to buy cigars in the chain stores La Casa del Habano (House of Cigars).

Another great place to buy cigars in Cuba is the La Veguita store, which sells products from the Constantino Perez Carrodegua tobacco factory. It is located in the town of Santa Clara. Not everyone knows, but this particular province is considered the best manufacturer tobacco in Cuba. Well, Cuban tobacco is called the best in the world: we believe you understand what this means. In short, if you have the opportunity and desire, take a look. By the way, in the same store you can buy the entire “Cuban set”: they also sell rum and coffee.

Cigars can also be bought in duty free. There will be less choice there, but there is still some. They are also sold in standard travel stores. True, you should only buy factory-made cigars from them. Also remember that prices here are higher than in specialized stores.

Where NOT to buy?

On the streets of Cuban cities you will often be offered cigars at ridiculous prices. Less than a quarter of a cookie per piece, for example. No matter how much the seller persuades you, no matter how much he smiles at you, don’t take it. Most often, under the guise of a cigar, they will try to sell you dried banana leaves wrapped in toilet paper. So these roll-your-own cigarettes can not only be of poor quality, but also dangerous.

In addition, in the markets or on the magnificent beaches of Cuba, you sometimes meet “wandering” merchants who offer to buy “factory” cigars. You shouldn't trust such people either. They charge 3-4 times less than stores, but they still sell the same rolled cigarettes. The trick is that they repackage their product in old factory packs.

We conclude: you should not buy cigars from single sellers under any circumstances. Even if the temptation is very great.

Which cigars should you choose?

If you are interested in handmade cigars, you should pay attention to Cohiba, Punch and Hoyo de Monterrey. Prices for such cigars are about 3-4 cookies. Also, feel free to buy cigars that are rolled by masters at tobacco factories or plantations.

Of the factory cigars, it is worth highlighting the famous Cohiba, Romeo and Juliet, Partagas, Bolivar, Montecristo. However, in Cuba it is difficult to find a large tobacco manufacturer that makes bad cigars. So feel free to take factory options. It is more profitable to buy in packages of several pieces.

Cigar Accessories

Almost every store that sells cigars also sells accessories for them. We are talking about guillotines, special scissors, punches, lighters, cases, ashtrays and other “gadgets”. Prices for such souvenirs start from 3 cookies. Pay special attention to their wooden variations.

If you are looking for a gift for a man who smokes in Cuba, buy a humidor to go with your cigars. This is a special “chest” for storing them. It's not cheap, though. The simplest option (not a souvenir, but a real, high-quality one) will cost about 100 cookies.

Music

Tumbadores, maracas, bongos or all kinds of rattles - your choice musical instruments in Cuban style is simply huge. Their prices are not too high. The simplest “rattles” cost about 10 cookies, and those closer to the drums cost 18-25 cookies. Professional tools, of course, will cost more.

It is believed that Cuban music was born in the city of Santiago de Cuba. However, you can buy its indispensable attributes throughout the country. The largest selection is offered by local markets, souvenir shops, and professional shops. If you are interested in low prices and unique flavor, choose the first option.

Art

Wealthy tourists often bring works of art from Cuba. Local painting is especially popular. Look into art galleries and small shops - you can often find real “treasures” in them. Just remember that a permit is always required to export such things. Upon purchase, the seller is obliged to give it to you.

If you're planning on shopping in Havana, look for art on Paseo del Prado or at the flea market in Plaza de Armas.

Che Guevara and Castro

The famous comandante in Cuba will look at you from literally every angle. Perhaps it makes sense to bring some souvenir from this country that symbolizes the revolution. These can be mugs, watches, notebooks, T-shirts and even icons with portraits of Che. And collectors may be interested in old albums with black and white photographs.

Cubans love Fidel no less than Che Guevara, so his portrait adorns everything around here. Souvenirs with a portrait of Castro are also popular here. True, bringing T-shirts or T-shirts with Che and Fidel from Cuba is still not the best idea. Their prices will be about 8-10 cookies, but the quality leaves much to be desired. However, if you don’t plan to wear them for years, then why not. The famous Che beret costs about 7-9 cookies.

↓ Use the form to find a hotel in Havana at a good price. There are great options in the heart of Cuba's capital! ↓

Food and drink

Supermarkets in Cuba will disappoint you a little, as will the local gastronomic shopping in general. There is practically nothing to buy here. If you were hoping to bring home interesting sweets, unusual products or seasonings, this is not the place for you. It is difficult to buy anything unusual when it comes to food in Cuba - the locals eat monotonously and rather boringly.

The choice in the markets is also very limited. Except the fruits aren't bad. But there is always plenty of rum everywhere.

Fruits

Fruit prices are quite low in Cuba. Buy guava, mango, papaya or pineapple. You can easily bring them home from the island if you choose unripe fruits. From the exotic, you can try cherimoya (sugar apple), carambola (ribbed bright yellow fruit), tamarind (special date), guanabana (looks like a cactus, tastes sweet), mamoncillo (looks like a grape, sweet and sour) and others .

Sweets

This is not a problem in Cuba. The most popular sweet is guava jelly (similar to marmalade, but the consistency is slightly different). You can also buy a similar mango sweet in souvenir shops in Cuba, but it is less common. Modest, yes, but the prices are reasonable: a standard package will cost you only 0.5 cookies.

Coffee

Cuban coffee is as famous as Cuban rum. It is famous for its special roasting, due to which it has a rich black color and a unique bitterness. Locals compensate for this strength with a huge amount of sugar - we recommend trying traditional Cuban coffee in a cafe.

How to choose?

To avoid disappointment, it is best to buy coffee from well-known producers in Cuba. If you decide to take it by weight or not in factory packages, choose grain - this way you will definitely not encounter a fake. The fact is that some unscrupulous sellers mix ground coffee with black bean powder. This doesn't happen often, but it does happen, so it's best not to risk it.

Which to choose?

Coffee lovers in Cuba should definitely try it the best varieties: Arabica Serano Washed, Cubita, Turquino. You can also safely buy coffee from specialized factories. Most often you can go there on excursions. This product has no name and is sold without special packaging. However, the manufacturer guarantees the quality. This gastronomic souvenir from Cuba is definitely worth bringing back.

How much does it cost and where to buy?

The best place to buy Cuban coffee is in supermarkets. You won't have to search for long - they don't have many products. It is also sold in souvenir shops, in the House of Rum and the House of Tobacco, but the prices here are higher. In duty free there is less choice, prices are reasonable. In the markets, coffee is sometimes suspiciously cheap. If it is ground and not in the factory package, pass it by.

The prices for Cuban coffee are encouraging: a kilogram bag costs only 15-17 cookies. At factories, coffee can be bought for only 8-10 CUC per kg.

A nice bonus: you can take as much coffee from Cuba as you like. So buy gifts for friends, family and colleagues.

Rum

If you decide to look into the supermarkets of Cuban cities, make sure that the shortage does not affect only one product - rum. Here it really flows like a river: even the most insolvent citizens drink it. Remember that you cannot import more than 3 liters of strong alcohol per person into Russia duty-free.

Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba is the birthplace of Cuban rum. However, it is, of course, sold throughout the country. By the way, the rum of the same name is used in Cuba great success both among locals and tourists. So bring a bottle of Santiago as a gift to yourself or your loved ones - you won’t regret it. Prices for light rum from this company start from 4 cookies, and for dark rum – from 7 cookies.

Havana Club

The most interesting “rum” shopping awaits you at the Arrechabala Rum factory (you can go there on excursions from Varadero). Here you can see how the famous Havana Club rum is made, try it, and then buy it if you want. A bottle of excellent aged rum from this company costs only 15-16 cookies.

Another rum

In Varadero, you can also visit the House of Rum for alcoholic shopping. Here you can get acquainted with the history of the production of this drink, try it and, of course, buy it. In addition to Havana Club and Santiago, pay attention to the rum brands Legendario, Paticruzado and Cubay.

Good to know

The average price of light rum in Cuba is approximately 10 cookies per liter bottle. More mature varieties cost about 30-40 kuk. Exclusive drinks will cost 100 or more cookies. If you haven't bought rum in Cuba itself, do it at duty free. Prices here are neither higher nor lower than in cities, so you won't lose anything. Except that the choice is very limited: most often only Havana Club and Santiago de Cuba are on the shelves.

It is most profitable to buy rum in regular supermarkets. There are empty shelves all around, and at the rum counter your eyes will run wild.

Other alcohol

In addition to rum, you can also try beer in Cuba. Its quality is decent. The most popular foamy drink is Hatuey. True, it’s hardly wise to take it home across the entire ocean. Better enjoy it during your vacation, and save some space in your suitcase for authentic Cuban drinks.

Also popular in Cuba is the Guayabita del Pinar liqueur. Its strength reaches 40 degrees. It can be dry or sweet with a pronounced herbal aroma. You can buy the tincture only in local stores - it is not sold in duty-free.

Women may like the local sweet liqueur Cubita. Prices start from 5 cookies. Liqueur can be found either in local stores or in duty-free stores (however, it is not always available here).

↓ Use the form to buy air tickets to Cuba at a good price ↓

We hope you find our tips for shopping in Cuba useful. We wish you pleasant and profitable shopping! Anything to add? Write in the comments!

Who can afford a trip to Cuba: only owners good funds or anyone interested in the spirit of the proud island of the free? Of course, the cost of flying across the ocean does not allow us to call visits to Cubans the most popular. But the absence of visa obstacles for our fellow Russians, the exoticism of the Caribbean, not sky-high prices in Cuba itself and, of course, the spirit of the revolution have not left rebellious Cuba without tourists for many years.

An international passport without expiration, return tickets, money for accommodation and normal insurance - that’s all that border guards need from visiting Russians, Belarusians, travelers from Moldova, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan. Ukrainian tourists, alas, need a visa, but they are allowed to obtain one under a simplified program.

Collecting documents is a separate topic. But you can find out how much money to collect right now.

The lion's part of the calculation of how much a trip to Cuba costs is related to travel expenses. Therefore, this is where the business needs to start. You can fly to Cuba from Moscow, St. Petersburg, the main big cities of the Volga region (Kazan, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod), the Urals (Ufa, Yekaterinburg), the South (Minvody, Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don). The cheapest tickets are sold in the capital, and the whole picture of flight prices is as follows:

1. From Moscow there are direct and compound flights to Havana and Varadero. Planes fly directly to Havana at an average fare of 50,000 rubles, plus or minus 10 thousand, depending on the season, round trip, 1 seat, economy. In addition, direct flights are occasionally carried out by charter companies; such a flight costs from 70,000 rubles in both directions, one person. Flights with transfers are cheaper - a full ticket to Havana with a connection in Paris today will cost from 45,000 rubles. in summer and from 37,000 rubles in autumn (2018). The route to Varadero is not much more expensive - the cheapest flight with a transfer in one of the European cities starts from 43,000 rubles. There is no direct connection to the resort. The most profitable airlines are Air France, Air Canada Rouge, Condor, Lufthansa in combination with KLM-Netherlands, Aeroflot and Pobeda.
2. From St. Petersburg - direct routes are not provided; any offers contain 1-2 transfers in cities in Europe and/or Canada. Prices in Havana are slightly higher than in Moscow by 3-5 thousand, and sometimes lower. Prices for Varadero are the same, but only for 2-connecting flights - 1-stop flights, firstly, are quite rare, and secondly, they can cost 90 thousand rubles or more.
3. From other regions of Russia, air travel to Cuban soil is available for an average of 70-80,000 rubles. All flights have several transfers and, as a rule, fly through Moscow. Single-stop routes are very expensive.
4. You can also fly to Liberty Island from Ukraine without any hindrance - Air Canada Rouge, Air France, KLM airlines together with Ukraine Int. willingly deliver their Ukrainian passengers from Kyiv to Varadero with 1-2 European-Canadian transfers at a price of 46,000 rubles, which in the national Ukrainian currency is about 20,100 hryvnia at the current exchange rate. But tickets to Havana are much more expensive - from 60,000 rubles/26,000 UAH, unlike Russian flights, where the opposite is true.

A very important nuance - all figures are approximate, established as of the second half of 2018 - beginning of 2019 and are constantly changing, almost every hour. Therefore, at the time of counting money, it is necessary to check the current positions on travel search engine sites.

Nutrition

You can eat with Cubans both expensively and on a budget, depending on what you like or what is available, since the price of food in Cuba is designed to suit any budget. Independent tourists are always more interested in how to eat inexpensively, so we will talk about the most affordable food.

Best places to eat inexpensively:

• snack bars, restaurants or cafes away from tourist areas, the further the establishment is from foreigners or vacationers, the more adequate the requests are;
• private local restaurants with homemade, delicious food, the cost of breakfast is no more than $5, dinner - no more than $10, if you order from a printed menu (if you order verbally, dishes can mysteriously become more expensive);
• eateries for locals in the suburbs or nearby villages, where payments are made not in dollars, but in domestic national pesos.

By the way, the Cuban currency is divided into two types - pesos for tourists CUC (cook, siusi) and pesos for Cubans CUP. Tourist CUC is always equal to a dollar and is used to pay for purchases in markets, hotel services, travel, etc. It exchanges foreign currency and is always decorated with images of Cuban beauties. CUP has internal circulation, it is distinguished purely by portraits of leaders; to buy 1 cookie you will need 25 coupons. In eateries for locals, you can perfectly reduce the cost of food for the entire trip by paying in coupons. In general, it is better to take euros with you rather than US dollars to avoid an additional 10% commission on American currency.

Choosing inexpensive National dishes, you can perfectly satisfy your hunger without gastronomic shock. For example, the most delicious, according to tourists’ reviews:

1. Lobsters have many variations of Cuban preparation. Lobsters are boiled in boiling water, fried on the grill, served with sauces and side dishes. It is believed that it is here on the island that they are prepared best in the world. A street option will cost only $3/180 ₽, a restaurant order costs from $10.
2. Ajiaco in Creole - pork stewed with vegetables and seasonings of moderate fat content, or not at all fatty. Portion – from 7-8 $.
3. Crocodile meat under a vegetable coat. Looks exotic, but tastes like a combination tender chicken and squid meat. It costs $15/serving and is very popular among guests.
4. Tasaho – dried pork cut. Portion – 8-9$.
5. Famous freshly prepared juices from oranges, pineapples, mangoes, papaya - around a dollar for a large glass. You can buy it everywhere.

Accepted prices in Cuba may not seem as rosy as in popular southeastern resorts, but the quality of food or products here is higher than in more affordable Asians.

Prices for more common products for cooking yourself, in dollars and rubles as of 2019:

• white bread, pcs. – 0.5$/30 ₽;
• milk, liter – $1.8/107 ₽;
• eggs, 10 pcs. – 1.08$/64 ₽;
• chicken, breasts, kg – 4 $/240 ₽;
• potatoes, kg – $1.5/90 ₽;
• tomatoes, kg – $1.5/90 ₽;
• water, 0.33 – 0.6 $/36 ₽;
• Cuban beer, half a liter – $1/59 ₽;
• Imported beer, half a liter – 2$/120 ₽.

Cheap exotic fruits – up to a dollar/kg, expensive “ordinary” fruits (apples, pears) – up to $4 per kilogram.

Cuban cigars, rum

It is impossible to visit almost the birthplace of rum (nearby Jamaica and Barbados) and the rightful homeland of the best tobacco, and not take these attractions with you. Cuban rum costs from $8 to $25 per bottle; of course, the more expensive it is, the more valuable it is. Only 2 liters per person are allowed to be exported abroad.

Buying cigars is a more delicate matter. Firstly, you don’t need to buy them from street sellers, the latter make all the mistakes. You need to buy cigars from official master manufacturers. Secondly, there are no export restrictions for this product; the main thing is that a batch of over 23 pieces should be packaged and equipped with a special hologram. This can easily be done by the seller himself if asked. The cost of street options is $4, the product from a real manufacturer is much more expensive.

You should not save on these purchases - such an original product is found only on the island; in all other places it is either a tough fake or a gigantically inflated price.

Accommodation, transport, excursions

Accommodation is very simple - either always affordable, budget homestay, or many 2-5 star hotels.

Homestay – owners of their houses invite tourists to share their accommodation directly with them for a small fee. This does not mean super-convenience; guests live in the same conditions as the owners. But for two people it is enough to pay only 17 dollars, minimum. The offer is very profitable if living next door to the owners does not bother those interested. If such accommodation does not appeal, there are plenty of traditional hotels everywhere with prices ranging from $60 for a clean 2-star double room to $120 for a double room at a 5-star all-inclusive hotel in Havana.

An important expense item is transportation. There is no shortage of it in Cuba, although there is also superabundance. Each type of movement is different in its own way:

1. Public buses are the main transporters of the population. The fare is about 4 kopecks. However, buses run at great intervals, the passengers on them are always higher than the roof, and it is impossible to determine the desired stop without help; there are no signs or signs. As soon as you make it clear to the driver that you are “non-local,” the fare suddenly becomes more expensive.
2. Taxi is divided into two categories: for tourists, for “our own people”. Tourist cars are comfortable, clean, and in good working order. The fee per kilometer is from half to a whole dollar, and payments are made in this currency. Taxi drivers working for local pesos have no right to take orders from tourists. But if you had to take advantage of the locals, then you need to keep your eyes open, there are many who like to make money.
3. Car rental – by paying $50 per day, you can easily move around the island on your own. Fortunately, the Cubans have such a service. You will also have to pay for insurance, about $20.

There are still excursions left. No big expenses are expected here - firstly, there are many beauties available for free, and secondly, the most expensive excursion to the Museum of the Revolution or the Kabanya Fortress will require a maximum of $6. On average, you can see Hemingway’s house or go to the crocodile village for $4-5.

Difference with ready-made tours

A standard trip to Cuba is very expensive. Even a 7-day vacation with a flight from Moscow, without meals, at a regular hotel costs from 120 thousand. R. All-inclusive tours with hotels 100 meters from the beaches are estimated at 140,000, at a minimum. For St. Petersburg, prices are even higher.

• tickets from Moscow, round trip, on average - 80,000 ₽;
• accommodation in a simple hotel – 25,000 ₽ ($420);
• meals, 3 times a day in a cafe – 14,300 ₽ (about $240);
• a couple of bus rides per day – 5,100 ₽ ($85);
• three basic excursions – 1,800 ₽ ($30).

The total in rubles will be about 126,200 rubles for two, excluding purchases, at the current exchange rate and prices.

It turns out that expenses to Cuba do not depend much on the method of travel, and cost approximately the same. The difference here is important only for free tourists who prefer to travel without the confines of travel agencies. But whatever your habits, a trip to the Cuban Republic will never be forgotten by anyone.

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