If you're going to Cuba

If you're going to Cuba, leave some space in your suitcase.

Many people who make regular trips to Cuba arrive “fully loaded” and go home with just the shirts on their backs.

Most Cubans have a limited choice when it comes to clothing. They can only afford Peso shops. These sell worn polyester clothing that was not good enough for Goodwill stores in North America.

• aspirins and baby aspirin
• vitamins
• bandages
• over-the-counter antiseptic creams
• pencils and pens
• flashlights

Actually, they need everything in Cuba

Bring small flashlights and boxes of pens for the dedicated doctors who work in hospitals. Throwaway flashlights are best as Cubans cannot afford to buy batteries.

Everything in Cuba is in limited supply. Paint brushes and art supplies are impossible for the ordinary art student or artist to buy.

As for clothing, take mostly short-sleeved and casual wear, like t-shirts.

And don’t forget to take baseball caps and baseballs

Cubans are crazy about baseball and if it has an American imprint on it, all the better.

If you see better-dressed Cubans, it probably means that they have relatives in Miami who send them money and they can shop in the dollar stores for new clothing.

Here's a look inside a Dollar store (above)



And here's what you'll find inside a Peso store (above)

Words you'll see and hear NEXT >

More words Cubans use NEXT >

Return from Going to Cuba to Home Page