Finding the perfect gift for your Cuban family can be a joyful yet meaningful challenge. Cuban culture is rich in traditions, values, and a deep sense of family, making it important to choose gifts that reflect thoughtfulness and an understanding of what truly matters to them. Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, Christmas, or a special occasion, this guide is here to inspire you with ideas that celebrate Cuban heritage, evoke nostalgia, or simply bring a smile to your loved ones’ faces. From culturally inspired items to practical yet heartfelt options, let’s explore the perfect gifts to show your appreciation and love for your Cuban family.
Sending gifts to loved ones in Cuba from the U.S. requires thoughtfulness and practicality, given the unique challenges and needs on the island.
Here are 5 of the best gifts to send to your Cuban family:
When sending gifts to family or friends in Cuba, convenience and practicality are key. Two excellent options are the Mandao Gift Card and the KO Mercado Gift Card. These digital solutions make it easy to provide your loved ones with access to essentials and luxuries they’ll truly appreciate.
Mandao Gift Card
The Mandao Gift Card is a versatile option that connects your loved ones with local delivery services in Cuba. Mandao specializes in delivering meals, groceries, and other essentials directly to their doorstep. By sending this gift card, you’re not just giving them money—you’re giving them the ability to choose what they need most, whether it’s a delicious meal from a local restaurant or restocking household necessities. The convenience and speed of Mandao’s delivery system make it a popular choice among Cubans, especially in urban areas.
The gift card can be used under the following conditions:
- The beneficiary must be in Cuba.
- The Mandao app offers the users access to groceries, restaurants and more.
- Mandao offers services in Havana, Artemisa, Matanzas, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Holguin.
- Once the Mandao gift card order is successfully processed, the beneficiary in Cuba will receive an SMS confirming that they have received a Mandao Gift Card.
- The gift card ca be redeemed from the Mandao app and the credit can be used when placing an order through the app.
- The gift card must be redeemed within 7 business days or it expires.
- After it gets redeemed, the balance in the Mandao account does not expire.
- Once an order is placed, there are no cancellations accepted.
For those looking to provide access to everyday essentials, the KO Mercado Gift Card is a fantastic option. KO Mercado is one of Cuba’s prominent retail platforms, offering a wide range of groceries, personal care items, and household products. This gift card empowers your loved ones to shop for what they truly need, ensuring they can select high-quality products at their convenience. With KO Mercado’s growing presence and variety of offerings, this gift card is a thoughtful and practical way to support family and friends.
Both gift cards provide an easy and meaningful way to show your love and care, ensuring your gift is both useful and appreciated. Plus, they eliminate the complexities of international shipping, allowing you to send support with just a few clicks.
The gift card can be used in the locations of the participating businesses – 2 locations in Havana: Juanky’s Pan & KO Mercado (Ave 23a entre 202 y 212, La Coronela, La Lisa).
- The beneficiary in Cuba will receive an SMS confirming that they have received a KO Mercado Gift Card;
- The SMS will contain a code and a link; the beneficiary needs to follow the link and enter the code to redeem the balance;
- The balance can be used to purchase any store product in the 2 locations;
- Beneficiary’s can also order by phone from Juanky’s Pan (delivery available only in Havana with additional cost determined by Juanky’s Pan);
- The beneficiary must have the code received by SMS in order to complete the payment, therefore, they need to have their mobile phone handy at the checkout;
- The gift card balance can be redeemed partially or entirely when making a purchase.