Shopping in Cuba means top cigars and rum, world-class art, and unique, accomplished crafts. All tourist hotels have at least one souvenir shop, where prices are in Convertible Pesos (CUC). As buildings and storefronts get restored one by one, Old Havana is becoming a hive of shopping activity, with everything from artisan chocolates and perfume to sterling silver and hand-sewn dresses. Again, payment is in Convertible Pesos (CUC) and visitors should note that credit cards, except American Express and other cards from US banks, are accepted.

Shopping malls have now arrived in Havana and the modern Tiendas Carlos Tercero, Avenida Salvador Allende, is stuffed with clothes, shoes and beauty products. For designer items, as well as a fashion show, La Maison, Calle 7ma y 16, in Miramar, is the place to go. It sells designer clothes, jewellery and cosmetics.

Cuba will be forever associated with cigars. Long acknowledged as producing the best in the world, Cuban cigars (known as habanos or puros) are expensive internationally but much cheaper on home soil. Good-quality cigars can be bought at Casa del Tabaco, Calle Oficios 53, or at the factory Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas, Calle Industria 520. Cuban rum and coffee are also good buys and travel well. Of course, Cuban music CDs pack the shelves of music and souvenir stores and wandering minstrels are always peddling their latest recordings in the bars and cafes of Habana Vieja.

Other common souvenirs include musical instruments, traditional dolls, handcrafted jewellery, as well as Che Guevara everything, including the ubiquitous three peso coin with his likeness (worth US$.015). Fine art, from world renowned prints to outrageously kitsch paintings, fill shops and souvenir stalls. Many local handicrafts are made from coconut fibre, seashells and seeds. Visitors should avoid buying jewellery made from tortoiseshell or black coral as both are protected and it is often illegal to import them to one's home country (for example, the UK).

The main markets are near the Plaza de Catedral, open from Wednesday to Saturday 1000-1900, on the Malecón, between Calles D and E, open from Sunday to Tuesday 1000-1800, and on Calle 23 between Calles M &N open daily 1000-1800 (this one is the smallest of the bunch). Shops should be open daily 1000-1800 including Sundays 1000-1300, although this may not always be the case.