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Customs rules in Cuba. What to bring from Cuba: souvenirs and gifts

The import and export of foreign currency is not limited. Amounts over $5 thousand are freely exported if it is noted in the declaration filled out upon entering the country, or if it was legally purchased in the country (a bank receipt is required). The export of national currency is allowed in quantities of up to 100 pesos in national currency and up to 200 in convertible pesos.

Duty-free import of up to 200 pieces is allowed. cigarettes or up to 250 g of tobacco, perfumes, medicines and household items - within the limits of personal needs. Also 1 photo and video camera (plus 5 cassettes for each), 1 binoculars, 1 portable music center, 1 typewriter or laptop computer (subject to mandatory export).

The import of cars, motorcycles and spare parts for them, pornography, narcotic and explosive substances, medicines without indicating the manufacturer's brand, weapons and some food products is prohibited.

The export of songbirds and exotic birds, bark and wood of valuable species, leather and feathers of exotic animals and birds, precious metals, sea shells, antiques and cultural valuables, as well as books and documents of historical value or printed by libraries or other organizations is prohibited. Duty-free export of cigars is allowed in quantities of no more than 23 pieces per person. If you export a larger quantity of cigars, you must present a receipt from the store to customs. In this case, the cigars must be contained in the original packaging with all official seals, including a new holographic seal.

When purchasing durable goods, jewelry or goods made of crocodile skin, it is necessary to request an export license from the seller, in the absence of which the goods will be seized during customs control. These licenses are issued, as a rule, only in stores, so in markets (where crocodile leather products are 3-5 times cheaper, but export licenses are not issued) such goods should not be purchased.

There is a $25 fee when leaving the country at Havana Airport.

Add a review

Yuri | September-October 2012

scriba | January 2010

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.

Typically, large stores use “green friends” of wanderers, and pesos are used in markets and small souvenir shops.

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.

Reminder for tourists in Cuba

Important information

Before leaving

Please carefully read the information that may be useful to you during your vacation.
Before departure, check that you have the following documents:

International passports (minor citizen Russian Federation traveling together with at least one of the parents can leave the Russian Federation only with their own foreign passport (this rule applies to documents issued since March 2010)

Air tickets, insurance policies, vouchers, certificate for export of cash currency (if necessary), driver's license (if you plan to rent a car), we recommend having the consent of both parents (for children traveling without parents) and the child’s birth certificate ( for children traveling with one of their parents).

For Russian citizens who wish to go on holiday to the country of “eternal happy summer” for a period of up to 30 days, a visa is not required. When crossing the border, you will need a foreign passport with a validity period corresponding to the period of stay in Cuba, and a return plane ticket to Russia.

Along with two copies of migration cards (the second is collected by customs upon departure from Cuba), tourists need confirmation of sufficient financial security for the entire period of stay in the country ($50 per day per person). By the way, this rule is not necessary for those who travel through travel agencies. There are also no fees at the border.

Visa

For citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, visa-free entry into the territory of the Republic of Cuba is provided for a stay of no more than 30 days.

Documents required to cross the border without a visa:

International passport (valid for at least 1 month from the end of the trip)

Round trip flights

Immigration card (2 copies)

When crossing the border, the tourist fills out the immigration card in two copies, the first is presented when passing through passport control along with the passport. The second copy must be kept until the end of the trip, it will be returned to the employee border service upon departure from Cuba.

Customs regulations

Permitted to import into Cuba:

Personal items (Only 1 photo and one video camera in hand luggage).

Goods whose total value does not exceed 1,000 Cuban pesos.

Up to 200 pcs. cigarettes or up to 250 gr. tobacco

The import of currency into Cuba is not limited, however, if the amount is more than $5,000, then the funds must be declared

Minors under 10 years of age have the right to import items up to the established limit. They must be accompanied by an adult and may only carry their own personal items in accordance with their age.

Up to 10 kilograms of medicines in original packaging.

Pharmaceuticals; wheelchairs for the disabled; scientific, technical and artistic books and literature; music sheets; records; ribbons; slides and films for educational purposes; dentures; equipment, books or materials for the blind.

Diapers for adults.

Cuban customs prohibits the import of:

Cordless phones and microphones

Video equipment (except for temporarily imported)

GPS navigator

Refrigerators

Air conditioners

Electrical appliances (kettles, irons, toasters, electric ovens, etc.)

Kitchen stoves, portable electric stoves.

Vehicles and spare parts for them.

Explosives.

Weapons, with the exception of sport hunting rifles

Products of animal origin (large cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and all types of ungulates), which can be carriers of the disease.

It is allowed to export from Cuba:

Personal items.

Items and objects temporarily imported, re-exported, confirmed by a document given to them by customs authorities upon entry into the country.

Up to 100 Cuban pesos (without written declaration)

Up to $5,000 free (without written declaration)

Cigars, no more than 20 per person (you can purchase cigars in a special store, where you will be given a receipt and an export invoice, in which case the number of cigars is not limited. Cigars must be sealed in packaging with a holographic stamp)

Up to 50 cigars, but they must be in the original packaging, closed, sealed and with the official hologram. Export is not permitted without meeting these requirements.

For more than 50 cigars, the value of which must not exceed 5,000.00 Cuban pesos, passengers must provide receipts, all cigars must be in the original packaging, unopened, sealed and with the official hologram. Cigars that do not meet these requirements will be confiscated.

Goods whose total value does not exceed 1,000 Cuban pesos

Jewelry, subject to an export license (issued in the store)

Goods legally purchased in the country, in a reasonable quantity indicating non-commercial purposes, if a permit is required, it must be presented to customs authorities.

Passengers can carry up to three units of the same locally produced medicinal product and an official invoice must be presented.

Collections with numismatic value must have permission from the numismatic museum or the Central Bank of Cuba.

Fresh paintings and sculptures purchased at points of sale (must have a stamp that authorizes export, or must apply for the appropriate permit to leave the country).

It is prohibited to export from Cuba:

Museum specimens and objects of historical value

Books published more than 50 years ago, books marked Ediciones R, bearing the stamp of a library or organization.

Manuscript books, early printed (published between 1440 and 1500).

Books, brochures, foreign and Cuban periodicals printed in the 16th-18th centuries.

Songbirds and exotic birds

Valuable wood

Skin and feathers of exotic animals and birds

Precious metals.

Sea shells.

Lobster, in any quantity and form.

Narcotic and psychotropic substances or hallucinogens.

Explosives.

Pornographic materials.

Subjects that jeopardize the interests of the nation.

Upon departure, selected luggage will be returned, but remember that you will have to pay to receive it.

Departure

Ticket check-in and baggage check-in for passengers on international flights begins 3 hours before flight departure and ends 40 minutes before scheduled flight departure. Boarding ends 20 minutes before flight departure.

Be aware of the free baggage allowance and surcharge for excess baggage. The tickets indicate local time. To board the flight you need:

Go through customs inspection and fill out a customs declaration. If the amount of money you are exporting is less than $3,000 per person and you do not have items that must be declared, then you do not need to fill out a declaration. When filling out the form, do not forget to indicate the entire amount of foreign currency that you took with you. Keep the customs declaration until your return to Russia.

Check in for your flight at the check-in counter and receive your boarding pass. The check-in counter number is indicated on the central display opposite your flight number. All questions about your seat number on the plane can only be resolved at the check-in counter.

Go through border control in any booth.

Board the plane through the gate number indicated on your boarding pass.

Upon arrival in the country

In the country of arrival you will be met by a representative of the company with a sign of the host country indicated in the voucher. All holidaymakers are advised to remain close to their group and wait until the rest of the group goes through passport and customs control. After all members of the group have gathered and checked in with the guide, the group proceeds to the bus.

During the transfer from the airport to the hotel, the guide will answer all your questions and also inform you of the time and place of the meeting at which you will receive full information regarding the procedure for staying in the country.

In case of any problem related to your stay (transfer, hotel accommodation, deficiencies in hotel service, excursion services, etc.), please immediately contact a representative of the host company by phone numbers indicated in the voucher in the “SUPPLIER” column. .

You should know exactly the name of the city and hotel you are going to (if you are not on a sightseeing tour).

Departure from the country

Check out time at the hotel is 12:00. You can leave your luggage in the hotel storage room. You must pay for additional services before the bus arrives. Please pay for all additional services (use of minibar, telephone, etc.) in advance. Upon arrival at the airport, luggage is checked through customs immediately at the entrance. Next, you go to the check-in counter, where your flight number is indicated, check in your luggage and receive a boarding pass, after which you go through passport control, where you fill out the departure registration card. Next, proceed to the departure hall, where you await the announcement for the boarding of your flight.

Medicine and precautions

To receive free medical care you must contact the telephone numbers indicated in medical policy insurance company. When visiting medical institutions without a referral from an insurance company, the tourist pays for the services independently.

Vaccinations are not required for travel to Cuba. It is not recommended to drink tap water. All purchased vegetables and fruits must be thoroughly washed, preferably with boiled water. Be careful when swimming as there may be sea ​​urchins and corals. It is prohibited to photograph military facilities, military personnel, as well as strategic industrial enterprises. Cuba is considered one of the safest countries in the world, however, you should not leave valuables and documents unattended. It is also not recommended to give out small change to the population if you are not buying anything, since begging is prohibited by law and a person who accepts small change may end up in the police.

Contacts

Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Havana, Republic of Cuba

Address:

Republic of Cuba, Havana, Miramar, 5 Avenida, No. 318, at the intersection of 66th Street and 5th Avenue

5ta. ave. esq. A 66, #318, Miramar, La Habana, Cuba

Phone: (+537) 204-10-74; (+535) 263-02-77 - in emergency cases

General information about the country

Time

The time difference with Moscow is minus 8 hours. Summer time: +1 hour. Standard time zone: UTC/GMT-5 hours.

Population

The population of Cuba is about 11.4 million inhabitants. The population is very diverse; over the centuries, a huge number of representatives of various nationalities have flocked to the island.

Most of the inhabitants of Cuba (about 65%) are white descendants of Spaniards. The rest are blacks, mulattoes and mestizos, as well as Jews, Arabs, etc. The Chinese diaspora is quite extensive.

Language

The official state language is Spanish. Many Cubans speak Russian, and in tourist areas they speak English and French.

Currency

The currency of Cuba is the Cuban peso (1 peso is equal to 100 centavos). There are two types of pesos: a non-convertible peso, for payments within the country, and a convertible peso (which has the abbreviation “CUC”, or as Russian speakers call it “KUK”), which is used by tourists and is officially equivalent to the US dollar. These banknotes, which differ from the regular Cuban peso in their value and multi-color, are printed on the island and have no value outside its borders.

In Cuba, on April 9, 2005, it was prohibited to use US dollars, so the convertible peso became the main payment unit for tourists. It can be purchased for 25 “regular” pesos. The convertible peso has no value anywhere else in the world. When exchanging US dollars in Cuba, a 10% tax is charged. You can also use credit cards, the main thing is that payments do not go through banks located in the United States. The ban also affected other convertible currencies - the euro, pound sterling, etc.

Climate

August in Cuba is the best hot month- air temperature reaches 35 degrees. January is the coldest (19 degrees). Average temperature water all year round is 24-28 degrees. The tropical dry season lasts from November to April, and the rainy season lasts from May to October.

The division into dry and rainy seasons in Cuba is quite arbitrary. Heavy tropical downpours can occur in March, and in June the weather can be dry and sunny for weeks.

Strong hurricanes are possible from October to November.

Transport

Popular vehicle in the country is a bus. The bus is called gua-gua (wa-wa), this is the main city transport. The fare is 10 centavos. The bus stops every four blocks, and the driver can be asked to announce a stop. Rush hours are no better than Moscow. There are taxis for tourists (with radio telephone and air conditioning) and taxis for Cubans for pesos, which are very difficult to hail. There are three taxi companies in Havana, all state-owned. Cubanacan is the most expensive, serviced by Mercedes; Turistaxi is serviced by air-conditioned Japanese gray runabouts; Panataxi services Ladas, not at all expensive, but this company operates only in the capital. In the provinces, in hotels and tourist centers you can find Cubanacan and Turistaxi taxis. The safest way is to catch a taxi at the hotel entrance.

Car rental

A person over 21 years old can rent a car if they have a driver’s license, passport, cash or credit card.

Car rental points can be found everywhere. Once you find the car, make sure it is in good technical condition.

When renting a car, a contract is signed that stipulates all the features of the rental (scratches on the car, rental period, etc.).

In case of loss of the contract, a fine will be withheld from the tenant. The contact is also required when communicating with the police.

In case of traffic violation, the police officer writes down the violation and the amount of the fine (15-30 CUC) in the contract.

The amount of accumulated fines will be deducted from the deposit amount when returning the car.

Telephone

For telephone conversations within the city limits, payphones are used that operate on both coins and cards (much less frequently). To make a call from a coin-operated machine, you need coins of 5 and 20 centavos. It is difficult to call other cities or provinces.

International phone calls are carried out exclusively from Telecorreos telephone exchanges, which are located in almost all large hotels. To make a call, you need a special card worth 10 or 25 USD (sold by the hotel administrator). Connection statistics and its cost are displayed on the phone display. One minute of an international telephone call costs about 6.5 USD. Cellular communications and Internet telephony are poorly developed.

To call to Russia you need to dial 007 (Russia code is 7), then the city code and phone number. For example, a call to Moscow: 007 - 495 - phone number.

Electricity

Mains voltage 110/120 V, frequency 60 Hz. An adapter is needed as the plugs and sockets on Cuba are flat. True, in modern Cuban hotels the voltage is 220 V and “European” sockets.

Culture

Religion

Despite the socialist regime reigning in Cuba, the majority of the inhabitants are quite religious. The main religion is Catholicism. Under the influence of African pagan beliefs brought with them by black settlers, a syncretic cult called “Santeria” was formed. Pagan religions gave rise to the appearance of local gods in Cuba, who, however, are most often associated with Catholic saints.

About 5% of the population (usually residents of the provinces) also profess Protestantism.

National characteristics and rules of behavior

Cubans are characterized by great cheerfulness (it is no coincidence that carnivals with noisy songs and dances are the main entertainment in Cuba), failures and adversity are not able to break their spirit.

Cubans are also characterized by calmness and unhurriedness in doing things, which often seems strange to a European accustomed to the fast pace of life.

Cubans tend to strive for communication and teamwork; they are open and simple, ready to help. They love children here very much, forgiving them any pranks.

Cubans highly value soft, good-natured humor that does not offend people.

The inhabitants of Cuba have quite a lot of habits and traditions, which without prior study may seem quite strange to a European.

The extreme hospitality and friendliness of Cubans allows them to easily meet people on the street and immediately invite them to share a meal. This is considered normal here. At the same time, Cubans do not impose their communication.

The doors of the houses are almost always open, everyone knows what is going on with their neighbors, on the street, no one has secrets, the residents chat happily and make fun of each other. And different generations communicate freely with each other, joining together in spontaneously occurring street dances and fun.

Cubans have some disdain for the norms and rules of decency, which seem burdensome to them.

Cuban men meet women easily and naturally. Here you are supposed to freely and openly admire anything you see on the street beautiful woman, especially white-skinned ones. Admiration is expressed by exclamations and air kisses, regardless of whether the girlfriend is walking next to the man or not. But insulting a representative of the fair sex is considered almost unthinkable here.

Fights, like foul language, are extremely rare in Cuba; Cubans are of the opinion that any conflict can be resolved calmly and reasonably. Even harsh remarks are not acceptable - it offends a person in vain.

When meeting, people are supposed to hug, kiss and pat each other on the back.

Saturday evening is a special time for Cubans. Talking about business or making urgent calls at this time is considered bad manners. Residents go to visit relatives, walk the streets, go to restaurants, cinemas, rest and relax in every possible way.

Beer is the favorite drink of Cubans. It is always served cold. To specifically ask for a chilled drink means to offend the owners of a cafe or store, this goes without saying.

In the cities of Cuba, you are not supposed to prepare home-cooked dinners or spend a lot of time at the stove, even if there is enough food in the house.

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 to 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. The cheapest cigars will cost you 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 to 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 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 local residents as strong as in factories.

Where to 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 to buy

In most tourist towns and resorts, paintings are sold directly to streets. Their prices vary from 10 to 70 USD. However, in popular localities (like Trinidad and Varadero), more and more 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.


Clothing 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 little things significantly lift the spirits of travelers, because with such accessories you feel much more strongly that you are vacationing in the Caribbean.


Where to 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 the Last Supper, where Fidel sat at the head of the table instead of Jesus.


Where to 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 the whole 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 the souvenir shops of the farm, I was most surprised by the crocodile bone decorations - 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, in Havana there is a flea market 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 handmade products.
  • 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. The 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 on which most street artists sell their works. Here really large selection paintings, 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 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 the prices are mostly retail outlets greatly overestimated. 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 of money. 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 point concerns the most popular types 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 thing, 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.


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, is by no means exorbitant prices in Cuba itself and, of course, the spirit of revolution has 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 issue. 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-transfer 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.

Very important nuance— all figures are approximate, established as of the second half of 2018 early 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 far from tourist areas, the further the establishment is from foreigners or vacationers, the more adequate the requests are;
  • private home 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.

By 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. It looks exotic, but tastes like a combination of tender chicken and squid meat. It costs $15/serving and is very popular among guests.
  4. Tasaho - dried pork. Portion – 8-9$.
  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

You cannot visit almost the birthplace of rum (near 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 on 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, 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 an abundance of it. 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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