Almacenes San José Artisans' Market
Avenida del Puerto corner of Calle Cuba, La HabanaAbout
Location :
Added by Jopie, at 16 October 2016
Opening Hours
- Monday Closed
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Gallery
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20 Reviews
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22 May 2018
So much to see and choose from. Some prices are negotiable.
This place is huge and is a wee bit noisy but that's to be expected.
We wanted to buy 1 Cuban cigar to take home as a souvenir which we had trouble finding. The vendors we encountered wouldn't sell just 1 cigarthey requested that we buy more. Finally a man walked up to us in the aisle and sold us 1 cigar. Success.
In a little jewelry shop I found a necklace with a dragon fly which I loved. I didn't care for the necklace part of it so the young lady, Yenny, working there changed it and put the dragon-fly on a chain necklace instead.response / report this review -
29 March 2018
Interesting place! A lot of the same stuff you could buy any where, but some good finds. So long as CUC is still a thing, be sure to haggle.
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15 March 2018
Nice market if you wish to buy any kind of “classic” souvenir. From nick nacks to leather goods, hats, shirts, dresses and paintings. Please note: no art work is authentic. There will be others with the same painting you bought. Having said that I managed to get a lovely painting there that expressed Cuba to me for not too much.
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07 March 2018
I liked it! Arrive by horse and buggy or leave so afterwards. Sure - a few of the vendors had a lot of repeat souvenirs. Others had some very interesting and unique wares. IE What I call the “speedy-run-away-toy-turtle”. It’s shaped like a turtle and made from a half coconut. Powered by a string spool and rubber bands underneath. The operator walks it on the ground like you would a yo-yo. Very clever!!. Another was a cedar box that locks on closure. No visual lock mechanism. It comes in many sizes and can only be opened in a special way. Lots of leather goods and remarkable paintings for all kinds of tourists. (Sorry no pictures to add.) You can negotiate the price on anything. See if you can avoid paying in $US. (You lose more.) Pay in Euros, Mex Pesos or CUCs for a better deal. Lots to see in Havana - put this spot on your “must-see” list.
My $.02
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28 January 2018
I found this place after walking around the Old havana (La Habana Vieja). I was lucky to start speaking to a Cuban. I asked him about the best souvenir place to get some. No doubt! This market is the best place to get the souvenirs for a better price.
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18 December 2017
If you find yourself in Havana and you want to pick up some souvenirs that can only be found in Cuba then this is the place. Prices are fair and the vendors are quite eager to make a sale! Hope to return
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09 December 2017
Wish we had more time here. You will see the work of very talented people at very reasonable prices. There's a lot of repetition of products. You should always bargain. The more you buy, the better should be the deal you should get. We were happy with our purchases. It was with walking distance -- 10 - 15 minutes -- of where the ship was docked.
Hope this is helpful. Enjoy your visit there.response / report this review -
15 November 2017
Bought some awesome souvenirs here. This is a must stop location right before your departure. So much variety and art.
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11 November 2017
5 stars for the art. The souvenir vendors have the same limited and tired collection of tchotchkes you'll find throughout Cuba. But take a walk around the perimeter of the market for unique, original, and interesting art. From the homages to Andy Warhol and Charlie Chaplin (Cubans seem to love him) to funky folk art, it is full of affordable and completely Cuban art.
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10 November 2017
Overall it's amazing things and eats at great prices.
The quality is really good, and you can easily spend 10 or 20 CUCs and get plenty of stuff.
The vendors will call after you and try to make you visit their booth, and some of them are a little pushy. But, overall it was a fun place to get great stuff and have lunch.response / report this review -
18 October 2017
Besides being a good market for locally made crafts, there are a few train locomotive outside that you are free to climb over and through.
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06 September 2017
Most of this market is definitely directed toward tourists. Some of the vendors will spot tourists and can get a little pushy. However, in among the booths full of the same touristy things, you can find a few vendors with some beautiful handmade wares and gorgeous artwork! There's some wonderful locally handmade soap. Walk to the back of the warehouse where the paintings are, admire the artists' work, and get a view of the water as well.
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04 September 2017
Significant variety of beautiful crafts - cigars too. Don't be shy about bartering especially if you're making multiple purchases from same vendor.
Some vendors will accept US currency.response / report this review -
27 July 2017
If you're in Havana to take amazing, bright photos, come here in the early morning just when they are opening. It's one large warehouse on the water and the morning light bounces off the bright Cuban art work displayed giving you perfect content for Instagram.
If you aren't into photography, simply stroll each aisle meeting the local artisans and enjoying their artwork. If you get hungry or thirsty, grab a snack at the several stalls sprinkled throughout the warehouse. Grab that coconut water and go outside to enjoy the water ocean breeze.response / report this review -
06 July 2017
This one of my favorite places to visit when in Cuba. The arts and crafts are just worth the trip. If you love art you will see art of all styles. Lot about Cuba buildings, old cars.the artist usually one helping you tell you story about art. This is a must see!!!
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08 April 2017
Hundreds of tiny vendors. From art, clothing to any type of souvenir you can think of. Fun.
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15 February 2017
It was fun to find the handmade soap that was a feature on CNN Cuba Profit. There is a lot of same reproduced stuff but you can find original art and crafts. Cuban take no well so enjoy the walking, it's huge!
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09 January 2017
Large souvenir market for sure, BUT it has numerous art vendors (20-30) all in one location. If you are looking for Cuban art this is a good place to go.
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25 December 2016
Huge souvenir market. Great prices, all are negotiable. Must stop in Havana!
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23 October 2016
The tourist shop of Havana. Some decent stuff, but most of the booths are the same stuff with high pressure sales tactics. If you're looking for a place to buy touristy souvenirs, this is it.
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