Living Cheaply in Havana - Real Havana: Explore Cuba Like a Local and Save Money - page 117

Shopping
Shopping in Havana can be a daunting experience. Cuba is not really a place
known for its product selections or low prices. I suggest you try to bring everything
you anticipate needing for your trip, especially any specialized products. In Cuba,
these same items will either be impossible to find, or sold at a price much higher
than you would expect.
On the other hand, it is fun to browse inside stores, as the atmosphere is usually
quite busy and some of the products on sale are rather unique. Some stores even
have small consignment sections which offer a selection of used products at dis-
count prices. Browsing is a great, free way to casually learn a bit about regular
Cuban life and provides a glimpse into the budding Cuban economy.
In Havana, there are many state-run department stores, usually operating under
the TRD , Panamericana or Coral brand names. They offer a selection of widely
used household products as well as clothing, electronics and packaged foods. It is
common to find several of these stores grouped together in popular shopping dis-
tricts and malls. The prices and product selection will vary subtly from one location
to the next.
Here is a list of a few popular shopping districts in Havana:
Vedado : There are three main shopping areas in Vedado which have clusters of
state stores as well as independently run boutiques.
Calle 23, between Paseo and 10th : There is a cluster of state-run stores selling
household goods in both Moneda Nacional and CUC. At the corner of 23rd and
10th there is a former Woolworth's store selling food and household goods, all in
Moneda Nacional. Between 8th and 10th, on the north side of Calle 23, there is an
independent consignment shop, selling a variety of new and used items.
Ground floor of the Focsa and the Habana Libre Hotel: There is a shopping mall
under the Focsa building which includes a hardware store, shoe store and several
kid's boutiques. There is also a well stocked supermarket which is very popular. On
the ground level of the Habana Libre Hotel there are shops selling cigars, alcohol
and clothing. Inside the hotel, on the first floor, there is a galleria with higher end
boutiques. At both the Focsa and the Habana Libre, all prices are in CUC.
Galerias Paseo: Located at the corner of Paseo and the Malecon, directly in front
of the Melia Cohiba hotel, this large shopping center has a wide selection of goods
priced in CUC. The ground floor has a hardware store as well as several restaur-
ants and bars. The second floor has a large supermarket with slightly lower prices
than most other supermarkets in Vedado. There are several other stores which sell
household goods, furniture and electronics.
Central Havana: There are five main shopping areas in Central Havana.