The 5 best places for Cuban music in Havana

One of the best places to buy Cuban music. The CDs are organized by musical genre, rumba, salsa and trova. Do take a look at their section of live DVDs and books. Besides music you can also buy souvenirs here. Everything is decorated with copies of paintings in the Museo de Bellas Artes.

Egrem, the national recording company, has the largest collection of music, CDs and DVDs. If you want to buy salsa, pick up a disc or two by Los Van Van or NG La Banda. Jazz fans will prefersome Chucho Valdes with Irakere, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Looking for Nueva Trova you’ll definitely stock up on Pablo Milanes and Silvio Rodriguez. If you’re more into son, choose classic releases by Beny Moré or look for Compay Segundo, Omara Portuondo and Eliades Ochoa. If it’s Afro-Cuban sounds you’re after, you’ll love Yoruba Andabo. Go for rap and R&B by Dany Suarez and Telmary, reggaeton by El Micha and Los 4.

If you are a vinyl lover, this is the place to go. Cuban son, salsa, jazz, funk, mambo and more plus a good international section. Check the quality before buying. You will find treasures here. Start digging in Aladdin’s cave.

We dare you to try and walk past this tiny store in bustling Obispo Street. The speakers which play tempting music will lure you inside. They sell a good selection of CDs as well as small percussion instruments including maracas, bongos, guiros and so on.

This is the biggest shop of Artex in Havana. Artex is the principal promotor of arts and literature. This shop stores a lot including books, clothes, decorative objects and, that’s why I mention it in this section, a good music selection.