Page 280 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

278  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

What to Buy in Cuba

Apart from the famous Cuban cigars and excellent rum,
there are many other good things to buy in Cuba: gold and
silver jewellery, and hand-crafted objects made from local
materials: wood, straw, papier mâché, shells, seeds, terracotta
and glass. Cuban musical instruments are also popular choices.
There are also toiletries and pharmaceutical products that
are to be found nowhere else in the world, on sale in the
international pharmacies and shops in the airport, where
you can also buy books, DVDs and CDs.

Rum
This classic brand of
rum can be bought
all over Cuba. Bottles
are also sold in boxes
(especially at the
airport) to make them
easier to transport.
Cigars
Bauza
Cigars that Packaged in elegant cedar
do not meet the boxes, Cuban cigars make a
rigorous standards luxury gift (see pp36–7). Copies,
of the cigar-makers however, can be convincing:
are labelled Bauza. make sure that the box has the
However, they are still branded label “hecho in Cuba
of very good quality. totalmente a mano” (totally handmade
They are sold at A box of Vegas in Cuba), the official government seal,
authorized outlets at Robaina cigars a hologram and the “Habanos” band.
very reasonable prices.

Local Handicrafts
Raw material from the Caribbean
(bamboo, shells and seeds) is used to
make decorative wall hangings and
colourful necklaces. Do not buy
black coral jewellery: the coral is
an endangered species.

A seed necklace A seed and shell
necklace

Musical Instruments
Many traditional Cuban musical
instruments (see p35)
such as claves, bongós,
maracas, güiro, and
tumbadora drums are
made by craftsmen. Hats and Baskets
They are sold in music Banana leaves and other plant fibres are
stores and markets. used to weave typical hats and baskets
Some, such as guitars, of various shapes and sizes. These make
can be made to order. Bongós affordable, classic souvenirs.

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