For Russians, Cuba is the embodiment of freedom and happiness, an absolute exotic. Arriving here, a tourist asks a natural question, what can you bring from Cuba to your friends and acquaintances, as a keepsake. Let's talk about what is traditionally famous for the island of Freedom, what is better to buy for children, women and men. We also follow the advice of tourists about what else unusual and practical can be purchased here.
Cuba is tourist
Russians will have to travel from Russia to Cuba for at least half a day. Having done such a long journey, I want to relax to the maximum, see all the most interesting. And of course, the question arises of what to bring from Cuba as a keepsake.
The main historical and cultural attractions of the country are concentrated in Havana. The historical center of the capital of Cuba is under the protection of UNESCO as an object of world cultural heritage. There are about a thousand outstanding buildings and objects. Here you should definitely see the Cathedral of St. Christopher, built in the late 18th - early 19th century in the Baroque style. Its interior is notable for good copies of paintings by Rubens and Murillo, as well as sculptures of Bianchini. Cienaga Square, on which the cathedral is located, is also an architectural monument. Another noteworthy object is the Havana Capitol. It is very similar to the "brother" of the same name from the USA, tourists are allowed inside, the interiors of the building are of great interest.
Three grandiose fortresses have been preserved in Havana, the most famous of them and the oldest is the La Fuerza complex, which was founded in the 16th century. It is also worth seeing the Prado Boulevard, the most visited place of old Havana, and the Bolshoi Theater in the style of colonial baroque. In addition to Havana, the cities of Trinidad, Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba are also of interest to tourists.
In addition to architectural and historical monuments, Cuba is extremely attractive for its natural attractions. This is a unique nature reserve "Zapata Swamps" with a huge number of rare animals, birds and plants. Topes de Collantes National Park near Trinidad and the Sierra de los Organos Valley allow you to see the unique Cuban nature and exotic inhabitants. Each attraction in Cuba produces souvenirs with their own symbols: magnets, mugs, t-shirts, key rings, etc. These products help partially answer the question of what can be brought from Cuba.
What to see and what to do
The character of any country can be comprehended if you just look at how people work and live in it, Cuba is no exception. What to see and bring from a trip to Liberty Island? Visits to famous enterprises of the country will help to answer this question.
For example, you should visit the Jose Smith Sugar Factory and see authentic cane processing and rum production. There you can try different varieties of this drink and buy a couple of bottles as a souvenir. Of particular interest to tourists is an excursion to the cigar factory "Partagas". The building of the 19th century is an architectural monument, and production allows you to see the process of creating cigars, which also has not changed since the mid-19th century. At the end of the visit you can buy beautiful cigars as a gift to friends.
A visit to Cuba cannot be imagined without exploring the beaches, for example, the famous coast of Varadero with delicate white sand and the rustling waves of the ocean attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is also worth visiting the famous bars of the Tropicana and La Bodegita del Medio, where E. Hemingway, F. Castro and G. Marquez visited. A special part of the trip to Cuba is gastronomic experience. Here you can not only try delicacies such as tortoise and crocodile meat, but also marine inhabitants, for example, swordfish, as well as unusual local cuisine.
Traditional Cuban specialties
In any country there are products and goods that most fully embody its national features. Specialists most often become the most popular souvenirs that tourists buy. Reflecting on the question of what to bring from Cuba, first of all, it is worth recalling the most important goods with which the country is associated. First of all, it is rum and cigars. Cuba, like many countries in Latin America, is associated with coffee. These are the popular souvenirs from Cuba. What else to bring from Liberty Island for different people, how not to make a mistake when buying? We will tell you in detail.
Cigars
Almost every tourist who comes to Liberty Island thinks: I will bring cigars from Cuba. But he does not know that making a purchase will not be very simple. There are many varieties, and making a choice is not easy. They can be thick and thin, of different brands and colors. When buying for yourself, the best argument for choosing will be a tasting, in all official stores there are special rooms where you can smoke a cigar. If the purchase is not made by a smoker, then it remains to rely on the eye and scent. Since cigars are the main product of the island, they are made not only in factories, but also in small workshops and underground. Therefore, it’s better to go to a good store for quality goods and in no case take cigars from your hands. In small shops, there can also be fraud, for example, several fakes can be put in a box of factory cigars. Therefore, when buying, you need to carefully inspect and feel each so that they are all the same.
Buying a good product is easiest in branded networks such as La Casa del Habano, Habanos SA, Partagas. They always sell quality goods, offer to try it and, if necessary, talk about its origin. Also, in some branded stores you can see a regular cigar twist, who right in front of you will make several pieces of excellent tobacco. You can export from the country no more than 50 pieces of factory production and no more than 25 without official marking.
Rum
Reflecting on what souvenirs you can bring from Cuba, of course, everyone immediately remembers rum. This is a real symbol of the country, and many brands and varieties of this alcoholic drink are produced here. To buy the "right" drink, you can focus on the most popular brands. And this is the most famous rum in the world of Havana Club, popular among the local population of Santiago, Legendario and Paticruzado. To protect yourself from fake, and they are not uncommon here, you need to go shopping in state, company stores. This will also help to avoid problems at customs, since only licensed goods can be exported, and it is sold only in stores. The average price of a liter of rum is 10-15 dollars, so the cost is also a sign of quality products.
There is another option for buying rum - it is tasting, large factories conduct excursions to their production and talk about each variety, allow you to try them. Here you can buy licensed products. You just need to remember the restrictions on the Cuban and Russian customs for the export and import of strong alcohol.
Coffee
Answering the question of what souvenirs to bring from Cuba, it is also worth remembering about coffee. Like many countries in the Caribbean, Cuba is famous for its coffee brands. The nice thing is that the production of this aromatic drink is completely controlled by the state, so it is almost impossible to meet a fake. Coffee is sold everywhere, there are many brands and varieties. But the most famous and popular are: Arabica Serano Washed, Serano and Turquino Cubita. To choose the best coffee to your taste, you can always try it in a cafe. Tourists are happy to buy many different varieties to choose from, since there are no restrictions on import and export. It is worth remembering that Cubans prefer rich coffee, so it may seem a bit strong to the Russians. The taste of Cuban coffee is slightly different from the usual Brazilian, but it has many fans around the world.
Gifts for men
Any trip is not only a lot of impressions and photos, but also souvenirs. What to bring from Cuba? Photos and emotions? Familiar and close ones obviously will not understand this, because they want to receive gifts and souvenirs. Liberty Island offers many items for men. In addition to the mentioned rum and cigars, representatives of the strong half of humanity will be happy with a brutal machete knife. Such until the time of automation, sugarcane was chopped. Knives come in different sizes, and may well be used in household goods or fishing, hunting, and camping. It must be remembered that the machete can only be transported in baggage. Also, a man will be pleased to receive a beautiful sombrero hat, which is also a kind of symbol of Cuba.
The original gift will be T-shirts with the legendary commandant Chegevara, in local shops you can find many options for such products. Also, for men, a national guiaber shirt can be a good souvenir, most often they are colorful and bright, but you can find a plain, restrained color.
Gifts for women
And what to bring from Cuba as a gift to women? This question also has many answers. The first thing that locals advise is black coral jewelry and tortoise shell items. They are really very beautiful and original. Locals believe that such jewelry has magical protective properties. But when buying, it is worth remembering that only licensed products can be exported from the country. Therefore, buying jewelry is only in official stores and be sure to keep a check. Cubans also make very beautiful jewelry made of silver, wood, fruit seeds, with pearls. Many women really like local perfumes and cosmetics based on natural ingredients. Local perfumers use the aromas of exotic plants, and the perfumes are unusual and very sunny. Also, ladies are always happy to get a beautiful scarf or a bright Cuban skirt.
Gifts for children
For those who have kids, the question of what can be brought from Cuba as a gift is especially acute. How to please the children? Usually, children really like mango or guava marmalade, as well as local chocolate. In Cuba, they make interesting dolls in national costumes, which girls will undoubtedly like. For boys, you can buy wooden puppets and national toys in the African style. Also, children can buy caps and T-shirts with state symbols or funny drawings. Local craftsmen make cars and airplanes out of various materials at hand, which will be a good gift for boys and collectors. Cuba has long been famous for its tin soldiers, which today can be bought at the Museum of Arms. Boys and enthusiastic collectors will also like them. Local coins with state symbols can also be a souvenir for children.
Gifts for acquaintances and colleagues
The trip makes you think about what to bring from Cuba as a gift. Photos of souvenir shops demonstrate a huge assortment of familiar souvenir trifles that can be presented to colleagues and acquaintances. These are mugs, plates, small bottles of rum, beautiful photo albums with a cover from the skin of a bison, wallets. Friends who are keen on music can bring national musical instruments: drums, maracas, bongos. They are beautifully decorated and will become a good decoration of the interior. Colleagues can bring photo frames decorated in ethnic style. Girls will surely be delighted with bright scarves in a national spirit.
If you do not want to bring trifles to each colleague, you can simply set the table with Cuban specialties: sausage, cheese, coffee, marmalade and a bottle of herbal tincture or rum. And at the meal, share with your friends your impressions of the trip.
Practical souvenirs
People who travel a lot often prefer to bring something useful that reminds of a country. What are practical souvenirs from Cuba, what to bring? Photos from markets and shops show that here you can buy many interesting and useful things. For example, towels or clothes for the house in ethnic style.
Cuba is famous for its medicines and biological additives, so going to the pharmacy will help combine the good with the pleasant. For example, shark cartilage preparations will be a worthy gift for men, while vitamins will appeal to older people or athletes. Cuba is one of the leaders in the pharmaceutical market, here you can buy many generics at comfortable prices. One has only to stock up on a doctor's prescription.
Ceramic and wooden dishes in the national style will be a pleasant reminder of the country. Ladies are happy to buy woven bags made by local craftswomen and baskets for table setting.
Travel tips
If you ask experienced tourists about what to bring from Cuba, then, of course, the first answer will be - rum and cigars. But then they will talk about the fact that they also produce good Cubita liquor in the country, which is quite inexpensive and many people like rum more. Many say that in Cuba they make very delicious chocolates, which can be bought in stores, as well as at the airport. Also, experienced tourists recommend paying attention to local sauces and spices, they will help to remember the taste of Cuban dishes at home. Women say that in Cuba you can find beautiful, colorful linen products: napkins, tablecloths, potholders. Travelers are advised to buy food and cigars only in stores, and the rest is optional. But in the markets you need to bargain fiercely, as the price tag for tourists is always very high.
What you should not even think about
Answering the question of what to bring from Cuba, one cannot help but say that it is forbidden to be exported, and which items cannot be purchased, no matter how the locals persuade. It must be remembered that the export of unlicensed cigars, rum, products from tortoise shell and black coral is limited from the country. Therefore, buying them by hand can lead to sad results - purchases are simply confiscated at customs. Also prohibited the export of works of art, antiquities, a book over the age of 50 years. It is also worth remembering Russia's restrictions on the import of alcohol and tobacco products, a large number of drugs.