Hi Guys, I am a Cigar Newbie... Strike One I know... however I have reciently become interested, and over the past year or so have purchased a Humidor, maintaining it well, and have currently filled it with cigars that people have brought be back from Cuba. I currently have some RJ's Mille Fleurs, and RJ's Churchills.

Where this post is going, is I am going to Cuba for my first time in about 3 weeks, and I am looking for shopping advice. I will be able to bring back 100 Cigars total thru Customs, and I am wondering what I should look into. I am open more to the idea of buying smaller quantities of assorted cigars instead of a box of 20-25 to try more of a variety. I am on a moddest budget, I think that $120.00 for a box is fair, and thus similar if spread across an assortment. So for 100 Cigars, 400-500 is about my limit... and if the advice points more the the 50 Cigar range thats fine too... Any shopping tips, places to buy, types/quantities/prices would be great. I am staying in the Holguin area.

Thanks for any advice you have.

Harps

Hi welcome to the CC board of CA.
As for cigar shopping in the holguin area, very poor. The only place used to be a shop near the hotel Atlantico in Guardalavaca.
As for prices try this http://marty.514crew.com/cigarprices.html
I hope you are familiar with the protocol on buying in Cuba, singles,three and five packs will most likely be fake. Only full boxes will come with the proper documentation to ensure legitimacy.
OBTW , the 30 buck boxes of 'Esplendido's' from the bartenders are fake as well!

quote:

Guardalavaca

I stayed in Holguin too......Paradisus.....sooooooooo sweet....there was a factory tour I went on, and you can buy there....Resort prices will take you to the cleaners, and lots of folks peddling fakes in town.

Was unaware of the one in Guardalavaca, which you could get a cab to, or there is a daily bus/shuttle that went there from where I stayed...

I'm so dying to go back...........................

I too am staying at Paradisus Ore Del Rio... so thats awesome that they have a factory tour available, I was hoping to do that, but figured it might be touch so far from Havana. What was the factory making? As for the fake issues, I have heard that about the good deals are not good deals... cigars cost what they cost. I have been recomended to shop in the Airport... pricy but guarenteed. Thanks for the advice... I guess I will look to stick with the basics... I wanna try some Monte #2's and maybe pick up some more RJ's.

Dude,

It's an awesome place.

I think it was 65 CUC to go on a day tour of Holguin and surrounding areas. It is entirely worth it. "Downtown" is an hour away IIRC... They stop at the factory, and you can buy right there. You will get offered some likely by someone rolling or sorting. I'd advise not to, if anything, they'd never work again if they were caught.

Forget about Havana - it's on the other side of the country, unless you go for a couple of days. I *think* it was 8 hours away.

Cool I definatly will look into the day trip... I am more of a traveller then a resort guy. I am really hoping to do a factory tour as well, so that sounds awesome. Thanks for the advice.