Gorgeous beaches of the Caribbean Sea, rainforests, rum and cigars - all this is beautiful Cuba, the Island of Liberty, a paradise located in the Antilles in the Atlantic Ocean. As soon as there are literally a couple of days left before the end of the vacation, tourists remember the numerous relatives, friends and colleagues who were promised souvenirs. Below are the top 5 gifts that hold a piece of freedom-loving Cuba.
Firstly, shops with the possibility of cashless payments in Cuba are very rare. This service is offered in large hotels and shops at them, but in the urban environment (even in tourist places) only cash is accepted. It is better to cash out a large amount at once, otherwise there is a chance to splurge on the commission of local ATMs.
The second feature of Liberty Island is the presence of two currencies (regular pesos and convertible ones). The first ones are for locals. The second ones are for tourists, they are equated to the dollar exchange rate.
Rum
The main symbol of Cuba, its national pride and an inseparable part of the life of all Cubans. Most of the local population do drink a lot of rum, either as part of the Cuba Libre cocktail or in pure form. The constant heat outside does not bother anyone.
You need to buy rum in large supermarkets or, if you need a more original and unusual taste, in specialized stores. They can be found next to any major hotel. Rum prices are set not by the manufacturer, but by the state, so a bottle of rum will cost the same in the tourist center of Havana and on its outskirts.
For the inexperienced, rum from the most common brands on the island “Havana Club” and “Santiago de Cuba” will be suitable as a gift. If there are connoisseurs of the drink among friends or relatives, then they will like Legendario - a dark, viscous, slightly sweet rum with a strength of 34%.
Coffee
The climate of Cuba is simply created for its cultivation - the grains have a rich, rich aroma and tart taste. If the locals don't drink Cuba Libre, then they drink coffee!
First of all, you should pay attention to the local brand of Arabica "Qubita", which is grown in the mountains of the eastern part of the island. Has light honey notes, goes well with dairy products (cream, milk).
Another common variety is Serrano. It is slightly denser, richer and more bitter than Qubita. Has a pronounced cocoa flavor. It is best to drink in small portions with a cane sugar cube.
Musical instruments
After the abundance of musicians on the streets of Havana or Santiago de Cuba, you will certainly want to bring some of the Latin American culture with you. The large souvenir shops that can be found in the city center sell drums, maracas and the local variety of guitar, the tresso.
Guayabera
This is a traditional loose shirt for men, made from natural fabrics. Such a cut perfectly protects from the scorching Cuban sun and can be a wonderful gift for yourself or a loved one.
Guayabera can be white or bright colors (yellow, red) with traditional embroidery on the chest. As an addition, a traditional straw hat - a sombrero - is perfect.
Cigars
Cuban cigars are considered to be the best in the world. All of them are made by hand using special, secret technologies. Local tobacco has a dense leaf, high strength and incredible aroma. More than 80 varieties of cigars are produced and sold in Cuba. Most Popular:
- "Bolivar". Cigars named after Cuban revolutionary Simón Bolívar. This variety is known for its rich, strong taste and is considered a classic.
- Koiba. A fairly young brand that has already won the trust of local cigar connoisseurs. The triple fermentation technology eliminates the use of nitrates and resins, which makes the aroma soft and enveloping.
- Fonseca. Has a tart aroma with light notes of chocolate, nut and wood.
Most of the souvenir products should be purchased in specialized stores or large shopping centers - this way the tourist is guaranteed to avoid the disappointment of counterfeiting. In addition, at the airport, customs officers will require an export license, which, of course, will not be given to you in an ordinary small shop.
