Varadero Shopping and Districts

(Varadero, Matanzas, Cuba)

As Varadero is aimed specifically at the foreign tourist market, shopping here is slightly more sophisticated than in the rest of Cuba, and you can find quality traditional crafts as well as the usual tourist tat. Varadero is one of the very few towns in Cuba which boasts Western-style shopping malls, albeit small.

The Plaza Las Americas on the Autopista Sur has a selection of small boutiques, T-shirt stores, a supermarket, several restaurants and an art gallery. Cantro Comercial Caiman is another large mall. Gift and souvenir shops in the hotels are usually overpriced and souvenir stalls are everywhere, offering much the same goods as the next in the line.

When to Shop and Where

Good buys in Cuba range from DVDs, clothing, musical instruments, interesting ceramics and of course, rum and cigars. Art works by local artists can be good value in Varadero, and the contemporary art scene in Cuba as a whole is blooming, with a number of Cuban artists' works now featuring in well-known Western collections. For DVDs and art, an odd mix, ARTex is the place to go. Bazar Cuba is another option for souvenirs.

Varadero has several outdoor markets offering local crafts at better prices than in the hotel shops. The best of these are the Artesania on the Avenida 1 and the Plaza de los Artesanos on the same street. Those shopping for ceramics should pay a visit to the Taller de Ceramica Artistica, a working pottery studio with pricey pieces ranging from functional to decorative abstract. For cigars, the Casa de los Tabacos is the best-stocked store in town, again on the Avenida 1, and rum is available anywhere and everywhere, with the Casa de Ron having the best selection.