I was in Montego Bay for my honeymoon in June. In downtown there were fakes in every souvenir shop that were supposedly "Cohiba Authorized Retailers" (not even properly stored in a humidor). The shops wanted around $300+ for a box (25) of fakes (Cohibas, Bolivars, Montecristo, etc.). Just to see how low they would go to sell the fakes, I offered $200 cash for a box and the shop owners bit (Didn't buy the fakes of course!!). The local vendors at the Craft Market (think street peddlers of Mexico) were peddling the fakes too. Even the ones sold at the Sandals resorts (Montego Bay, Royal Caribbean, & Sandals Inn) appeared fake. I didn't want to waste my $25+ each to try a fake. Thankfully I brought my own NCs as rebeljohn suggests.
Posts: 20 | Location: Orange County, CA | Registered: July 15, 2006
We went on a cruise that stopped in Jamacia. The cruise line was very frank - if you want to make your own taxi arrangements, use the taxis inside the gate because they've been pre-cleared. If you use a taxi outside of the gate, you may not come back.
B.A.S.E. Secretary and #0013 <(0)> R.O.C.A #14 Foreign Affairs Minister - BS
don't buy cigars in jamaica period. i brought my own cubans. i was surprised to see so many el's and everywhere you looked was an american with a cohiba stuck in their mouths. i don't even think that the jamaican cigars are the real meal deal. i bought one royal jamaican that was in a coffin for the souvieneer end of things. smoke the pot, the bell hops will gear you up within five minutes of arrival.
I was at Couples Ocho Rios, Jamaica in '06 and the shop onsite- can't recall the name- seemed reputable in that we bought a blue diamond ring for $1750 that was appraised in the states for $5000. They had Cohibas which were the best cigar I've ever smoked, so I figured they were authentic. They didn't resemble the counterfiets in C A's gallery unlike the gars in Punta Cana, DR. I paid $12 apiece. Since I enjoyed 'em so much part of me doesn't care if they were fakes but no one likes to be duped, so now I'm wondering if they were real. Any thoughts? I just posted a question about the best shop in Runaway Bay, Jamaica as we're going there next.
i went to sandals on my honeymoon in 01 i mostly stuck to the grounds except on the shopping trips they take you on. i only bought cigars on site. on our last day though, we got adventerous and walked a few blocks to a shopping center. it seemed ok bought only a few cigars cuban and jamaican. and of course their fantastic coffee. no complaints here can,t wait to go again
If you purchase a cuban cigar in Jamaica there is a 99.99% chance it is fake.
There is ONE reputable shop on the entire island. It is the Cigar Shop at The Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay. All they sell is cigars. No t-shirts, keychains, towels or any of that crap, just cigars. I would recommend you buy from this shop.
i've been at the sandals in Negril, and all their cigars were as fake as a 3$ bill....
as previously mentioned, don't go out of the resort alone.. although me and the wife ended up going like 2 morons to a local club, I wouldn't do it again, or recommend anyone does it.. I kept on getting high fived my locals with joints in their hands...
the hotel called us a taxi, and took his name down. it was HIS responsibility to bring us back to the hotel.. needless to say, the guy was waiting on our hand the entire night.. and when he picked us up, he had a little brown baggie for me.. I guess he liked the tip I had given him...
My parents used to go to a resort in Montego Bay in the 60's and 70's. I asked my dad once after I went on a dive trip if they wandered around town when they went back then. He told me good grief no, it was not safe for tourists even back then. You never left the gated, fenced in, patrolled resorts.
Good people sleep at night knowing there are rough men ready to do violence on their behalf
Posts: 1473 | Location: Connecticut | Registered: November 19, 2004
There is a cigar store just up the street from Margaritaville in Monteo Bay. We go to Jamaica often, but I have not been to that particular area of the town in a couple of years. I can't remember if it's a Casa Habano or not. Anyway, take the advise of everyone else, bring your own 'gars and don't waste your time or money. It's safer that way and you won't suffer through buyers remorse.
"Happiness is a good martini, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman, or a bad woman, depending on how much happiness you can stand" George Burns
Posts: 521 | Location: Lincoln Park, MI | Registered: March 21, 2004
The consensus seems to be don't expect to buy real cubans in Jamaica. So which carribean island besides Cuba is the best on which to buy them? Many thanks.
Originally posted by Kgn6: If you purchase a cuban cigar in Jamaica there is a 99.99% chance it is fake.
There is ONE reputable shop on the entire island. It is the Cigar Shop at The Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay. All they sell is cigars. No t-shirts, keychains, towels or any of that crap, just cigars. I would recommend you buy from this shop.
Just curious about this. The family is heading to Half Moon bay in March. I jsut read the quoted post above and was wondering if any one else has expereince with this "shop"? I am planning on bringing my own and have told my Brother-In-Law to do the same base don posts here and elsewhere, but want to make sure...
Posts: 59 | Location: Northern Va, USA | Registered: June 04, 2007
Originally posted by pjjp: The consensus seems to be don't expect to buy real cubans in Jamaica. So which carribean island besides Cuba is the best on which to buy them? Many thanks.
There are some nice shops on St. Marteen in Philipsburg on the Dutch side. Never went to the french side, so no clue on that one. plus prices on French side are much higher due to EUR.
Posts: 59 | Location: Northern Va, USA | Registered: June 04, 2007
no complaints here 
can,t wait to go again 
