Cigar Buying Western Caribbean?

[rcdisneyfam]

Where does one buy Cigars on the Western Caribbean, Cozumel, Grand Cayman? Names of those stores? Any info???

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Of course you will <i>not</i> be able to buy them in Key West, but based on my experience in other places that cater to U.S. tourists (Niagara Falls, Tijuana, St Maarten), I'm sure you will have <b><u>no</u></b> problem finding Cubanos at Grand Cayman or Cozumel. Go into the shopping districts, and you will find plenty of stores with conspicuous signs about their offerings of Cuban Cigars.

[snelsonbrown]

To those that are interested - you will find cigar making right close to the Magic's port in Key West - At Messon de Pepe right at the Mallory Square - there is a cuban man that makes cigars right in front for everyone to see the craft - of course they are not cuban cigars, but mightly close to it - cigar making was an awesome trait many years ago in KW - my grandmother was a roller and my grandfather was a reader during the summer months when school was out for vacation and income was needed - anyhow one of our customers wanted a cigar from KW and Norm happened to be in KW at the time and brought it up so that it could be put into their basket - I understand it was a great success - It is called the Key West Cigar Factory located on Front Street - (# 3 Pirates Alley) - phone number is 305-294-3470.
Also if you do go in there - you just may see Mario Sanchez who is a beautiful old timey conch artist - he was born and raised in the El Cato section which was around Ernest Hemingway home - Marios goes to Messon to just chat to visitors who may be interested in the "way KW" was during his days - interesting man.
Anyhow another tidbit for the western cruisers.
Always
Shirley

[rcdisneyfam]

Thanks, Shirley will check it out.

[rmbreset]

99.99% of all Cubans sold in the carib are fakes, only buy them at a Casa de Habanos, there is one in cozumel and Grand cayman. You will pay more but they will be the real deal, remember if it sounds like a deal to good to be true ..........

City: GRAN CAIMAN
Address: No. 9 CAYSIDE GALLERIES. HABOUR DRIVE

Cozumel Mexico D.F
Plaza Coramar. Plaza Rafael E. Melgar L-B10 Esq.10 Norte

[prymsu]

Shirley, i will be checking out the cigar rolling in key west. I think i read about it in some of the info you sent to me about Mallory Square. I know this was a big thing when my folks lived in Key West.

[spencertaylor]

Here is a really good article on spotting fakes, once you read this and see a fake you know, there are really sublte differences and conterfiters dont spend alot of time or money trying to make these cigars look too real.
Fake Cigars Article (http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/Aficionado/Counterfeit/countgal.html)

[aseafish]

Here is a really good article on spotting fakes, once you read this and see a fake you know, there are really sublte differences Thanks!

[eshannon]

I was glad to see this. My brother has been asking me to bring him a cuban cigar for ages. Is it ok to bring them back? On our last cruise someone said you can get cuban cigars that are legal because they were rolled somewhere else?? Does this make sense? I will be happy to bring him one, but don't want a dog sniffing my luggage and me ending up with a big fine:p Thanks for your help.
Shirley, I know you are out there:p We are still working on a shirt for you to put in DS William's basket!! Have sent you an envelpe with LOTS of stamps on it. Can't wait to get the pamphlets back. Elaine

[rmbreset]

eshannon, it is not okay to bring them back (but just about everybody I know does), Cuba guards its cigars , they don't have a lot of exports so they protect what they have. There are cigars that are grown w/cuban seeds that has were smuggled out at one time or another, but you will not find a cuban in a cuban leaf wrapper that was not made in cuba...at least that I know of.

[Wavegirl]

I agree with rmbreset, there are loads of fakes out there but La Casa del Habano is the genuine deal. The one in Grand Cayman is a trip! The massive humidor is like a vault for aged cigars and they have anique humidors and an unbelievable selection. I had a hard time prying my hubby from the store:- ) I had a cuban coffee to get me going for the shopping!! Now thats a Jolt!

I saw them on the cayman discount page...here is the link

La Casa Del Habano, Grand Cayman (http://www.caymanislandsdiscounts.com/LaCasadelHabano.htm)

:smooth:

[Wavegirl]

Shhhh...I didn't tell you this but......if you want to bring them back what we do is buy some cheap cigars and replace the bands on the good cubans with the cheap bands for customs. You can always put them on later:-)

[spencertaylor]

I have never had a problem with bringing Cigars back, I know it is illeagal however I dont think that an embargo of Cuban items set up in the 60's applies today and feel that it is ridculous.
I have alway put the box of cigars on the top of my the items in my luggage so if they did find it was the item on the top, I really dont think that the contriband items that they are truely look for is cigars, and that many of the agents dont care, and at most would slap your hands.
Don't bring them back if you are strongly concerned but through 2 trips into Mexico and 3 Disney Cruises I have never had a problem with this.

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by spencertaylor

I really dont think that the contriband items that they are truely look for is cigars, and that many of the agents dont care, and at most would slap your hands.

Not that I'm condoning bringing them back, but if anyone <i><b>does</b></i> bring them back, make sure you don't <i><b>resell</b></i> them. The penalties for doing so include, in addition to confiscation of the cigars, civil fines of up to $55,000 per violation. (<a href="http://www.customs.gov/travel/cigars.htm"><font color=blue><i>Source</i></font></a>)

[scootersmom]

Does anyone Know approximate prices for Cuban cigars at Grand Cayman?, DH is anxious.:rolleyes:

[eshannon]

Thanks to all for your help and advice. My brother will be extremely happy! Will go to the shop mentioned. Elaine:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[eshannon]

Just out of curiousity, how much would a box cost? I am on the phone w/ brother, he likes Cohiba. Thanks Just curious:confused:

[DisneySlave]

The last time I was in Cabo San Lucas, a box of Cohiba Corona Especiales set me back $325 for a box of 25. That was six months ago

[Pugdog007]

I know I'm likely to get flamed for this... but there is a reason for the trade embargo with Cuba.

In these times when everyone is so eager to be patriotic, do you not think it is very unpatriotic to purchase Cuban cigars in violation of US policy? Castro is an idiot. Ships pass right by his little island every single day... on there way to spend a lot of money at another Caribbean port. Some day... Cuba COULD be a port... think about that.

In the meantime, don't contribute your money to communism... don't buy cuban cigars.

:)

[rmbreset]

First off, no flame, everyone has a right to there opinion. I too consider myself very patriotic but what is the reason for the embargo ? In my opinion we are just acting childish , punishing the whole population for something that happened over 40 years ago. There is no more soviet union, so that link is gone , what threat remains from cuba ? The most dangerous thing there is most likely the guys we have in prison on gitmo bay. If we had a stategic need for cuba we would not have the ban, but since all they have to offer is cigars, sugar , coffee, etc. we keep the ban. The saudi's support terrorism but we need them so we put up with it, we have reopened ties with north vietnam (because we want port access) Japan bombed us but that is now history . so why still punish Cuba... one can only guess, but I see no logic in it. I'd much rather see us doing business with cuba vs. china or vietnam

[Wavegirl]

I have been to cuba and the embargo isn't punishing Castro, its punishing the people who live on very little. One lady walked over 5 miles to beg for hotel soap from us as they don't get any. Our cab driver is a medical doctor, but he only would make a few dollars as a doctor, so he drives a cab in hopes of getting US dollars.

I find it amazing to have hotels with lobster, chicken and huge amounts of food and yet the people won't get there chicken ration for the month because there isn't enough! Tourists get everything before the locals do so that Castro gets his US dollars so he's not hurting for all of this but the Cubans are, very sad