In 1979 she received the David Prize for Science Fiction for Los mundos que amo ("The Worlds I Love"), a collection of stories she authored between the ages of 15 and 19.

established the first science fiction literary workshop in Latin America.

Daína Chaviano has received numerous international awards and recognitions: Anna Seghers Award (Berlin Academy of Arts, 1990) for Fábulas de una abuela extraterrestre; Azorín Prize for Best Novel (Spain, 1998) for El hombre, la hembra y el hambre; Goliardos International Award for Fantasy (Mexico, 2003); Guest of Honor at the 25th International Conference for the Fantastic in the Arts (Fort Lauderdale, 2004); and Gold Medal for Best Book in Spanish Language (Florida Book Awards, 2006) for La isla de los amores infinitos.