Cuban cigars

[Locobill49]

Can you buy good Cuban cigars in St Martin or St Kitts? I would assume that you can bring them back now. Any suggestions? Thanks

[LindaO]

Although the US has relaxed some travel restrictions to the Cuba... the laws regarding the import of Cuban Cigars has NOT changed and is still subject to the restrictions previously applied and enforced. At least as of today :)

[uncfes]

It's all depends on you. Bring a bunch of boxes is risky. There is good advice from the right merchants that's all I'll say never know who's reading these posts

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[bmckim]

Can you buy good Cuban cigars in St Martin or St Kitts? I would assume that you can bring them back now. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

I never been to either place. But the golden rule when buying cubans is ALWAYS buy from a Habanos dealer. These are places officially licensed to sell Cuban Cigars by the Cuban Government. Best bet is the Habanos stores, la casa del habano themselves. There is certainly one in St. Maarten, but unsure where. There are many many counterfeits out there, and many hard to tell.

 

That being said, personally I think there are many other great alternatives to Cubans that taste the same at a fraction of the price.

[uncfes]

In St Marteen go left on the main drag the store off to the right and upstairs huge selection

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[George C]

Can you buy good Cuban cigars in St Martin or St Kitts? I would assume that you can bring them back now. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

all the Caribbean islands that are not American sell Cuban cigars, have bought them on several islands including St Martin

[A2Mich]

You can buy them all you want in a foreign nation. Just be sure you've smoked ALL of them before you enter US waters. Cruises at least used to have the "great smokeout" where everyone who had Cuban cigars would go up by the ship's funnel and smoke them all so they weren't importing any illegals.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[krisko]

Chances are you'll buy fakes instead of real in the Caribbean. The most obvious signs are do not buy Cohibas in a glass top box and no cubans are wrapped in celophane.

 

The only way to be sure you're getting genuine cigars is to buy them at a Casa del Habano, state owned cigar store. I'm not sure they've got one in St Maarten, but there is a very good cigar store about 3 streets in to the left in port. I forget the name of it, but you can tell upon walking in that it's an honorable shop.

 

As far as the embargo, it'll likely be lifted before Obama leaves office but currently still in effect. PM me if you want a link to good cuban cigar shops that will ship right to your door. And far cheaper than any place in St Maarten or Canada.

[wave rider]

There are two stores in Marigot near Royal Harbor that sell Cubans. One is Habano and is located on the street side away from the inner harbor. The second store is located right on the inner harbor. I have purchased from both with great success.

[stones902]

Can you buy good Cuban cigars in St Martin or St Kitts? I would assume that you can bring them back now. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

 

I've purchased nice authentic Cubans on SXM in Cigar Emporium. As you exit the water taxi and proceed to Front Street its a few doors down on your right (after Mont Blanc but before the Coliseum Casino). Cuban tobacco cigars can be found on the 2nd floor.

 

I patronize them every trip down. Individual #2 Montecristos runaround $18 each but less if you commit to an entire box.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[mjldvlks]

There are several articles that say one of the policy/embargo relaxations is that travelers will now be allowed to enter the US with up to $400 in Cuban merchandise of which up to $100 can be tobacco and alcohol products. Not clear from these articles whether (1) this applies to all travelers entering the US or only those traveling to/from Cuba; and (2) when this new policy is effective. And I cannot vouch for the credibility of any of these articles.

Edited January 19, 2015 by mjldvlks

[hockeyken]

:D As the reply above states, Cigar Emporium is a great place to go. Prices are higher than in Cuba, but the cigars are authentic. They were originally a Casa De Habano, but no longer.

 

The Cuban government puts a code on their authentication seal, that can be entered in their website to determine if the cigars are authentic. It will not only tell you if the box is OK, but will also tell you what box you are looking at ( i.e. - 25 Montecristo No.2, or 10 Partagas Mille Fleurs, etc.). I have checked the codes from two separate trips, on 8 boxes, and all were reported as genuine. So for authenticity, you can trust Cigar Emporium. You can also Google them to see a list of what they carry, and prices.

 

I have heard, but cannot verify, that there is a Casa De Habanos in the Airport, as I have never been there (visits via cruises only ).

 

Hope this helps. I am on my way to Cuba for two weeks soon, and I will definitely be bringing back my allowance (to Canada).

 

Cheers

 

K

[mbjboyle]

Chances are you'll buy fakes instead of real in the Caribbean. The most obvious signs are do not buy Cohibas in a glass top box and no cubans are wrapped in celophane.

 

Here's some information from Cigar Aficionado regarding identifying fakes; http://www.cigaraficionado.com/counterfeit

 

This article from The Slate explains the lifting of the embargo; http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2014/12/18/cuban_cigars_legal_embargo_stands_but_travelers_can_import_100_of_tobacco.html

 

Just an FYI about Cuban cigars, they are no longer as good as they were in the past. Authentic Cubans maintain a fair and pleasurable smoke, but unless you are a ravenous connoisseur of cigars, Cuban cigars may disappoint... You're better off ordering cigars (there are several discount websites you can use) and bringing them with you on your cruise than paying the significant up-charge that many cigar vendors in the Caribbean employ...