Dominican Republic and Cuba

[Edamski]

Ok so this will probably sound stupid considering what's been said, but is it actually quite tricky to get decent cigars (legit) in the Dominican or is it just a case of looking in the right place?

As in a way unfortunately she seems to have her eyes set on the Dominican and I don't really wanna persuade her otherwise as it is her birthday so thought I'd check. Also what're prices like for legits?

[Edamski]

IM GOING TO CUBA!!!!!! [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]

[PeeJay]

IM GOING TO CUBA!!!!!! [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]

WHERE??????

[Edamski]

CAYO COCO!!! Memories Flamenco Beaches resort, 14 nights all in, with a 3 day excursion ot Havana excited is not the word!

[tommy]

You fu?&ing barstard! Bloody jailors pet you are. Cor he spat on you! Some get all the luck, he's just left me hanging here for the last 20 years......

[PeeJay]

Cuba is not expensive, check out Breezes Jibacoa on the Virgin Holidays site, I've been twice and can recommend it. Have to leave the sprog behind though cause its adults only (the best)

[Edamski]

Cuba is not expensive, check out Breezes Jibacoa on the Virgin Holidays site, I've been twice and can recommend it. Have to leave the sprog behind though cause its adults only (the best)

I did! I was for booking there but the girlfriend didn't fancy the trek/price to london. Did look good though!

[butternutsquashpie]

CAYO COCO!!! Memories Flamenco Beaches resort, 14 nights all in, with a 3 day excursion ot Havana excited is not the word!

when? and did you go through the Canadian way like i recommended??

if it's in Dec. or Oct. i can probably squeeze in a 3 day-er to meet you down there

[Edamski]

when? and did you go through the Canadian way like i recommended??

if it's in Dec. or Oct. i can probably squeeze in a 3 day-er to meet you down there

I did not, mainly because I forgot all about it and still to my shame cannot remember... [emoji20]

Also it's in September so unfortunately so Cuban hook up! [emoji20] I'm sure I'll smoke one or three pretending to be though haha!


Btw maybe an odd question, should I take a travel humidor with me and buy a few days worth at a casa or are they common enough for a daily visit? Not seen any information telling me such but not sure where to look. The hotel site just chunners on about itself

[PeeJay]

Only eleven weeks till I go to the DR so when I was browsing online for shops I was very pleased to find this at the Iberostar in Bavaro near to where I'll be staying

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The Dominican Republic produces some of the world’s top premium hand-rolled cigarros (cigars), and certainly its largest quantity; many aficionados consider the quality of its stogies equal to or in some cases superior to Cuba’s (in fact, much of the DR’s know-how, tobacco-plant seeds/stock, and producers are transplants from Cuba, fleeing expropriation in the 1960s). The bulk of the tobacco-growing heartland is in the Yaque valley near the inland city of Santiago, the countrys second largest, and centered around the towns of Villa Gonz?lez and Jacagua, with brands including Arturo Fuente, Le?n Jim?nez, and Davidoff.
So it goes without saying that the DR’s three Iberostar resorts offer guests easy access and opportunity to purchase swell smokes – and even to watch some being made right before their eyes. I caught up with Nelson Cruz Barrera, 40, a Santiago native and veteran of A. Fuentes and Davidoff who now works with the cigar shop at Iberostar B?avaro in Punta Cana and hand-rolls smokes here most mornings and evenings.
What percentage of cigars that you stock are Dominican, as opposed to Cuban, Honduran, and others?
More than half. Most people come in looking for Dominican products
What’s the range of quality like?
We carry inexpensive cigars like Flor de Oro, all the way up to the most premium, which for us would be an Arturo Fuentes Ojo X, costing US$25-30 apiece.
You also custom-roll cigars on the spot. How long does that take?
About 10 minutes, usually.
How much can you customize these cigars, for flavor, and so forth?
We have seven types of tobacco leaves on hand to throw into the mix – Dominican, Cuban, and Honduran. And we can adjust that mix depending on the customer’s taste – if he likes Romeo y Julieta, for example, I can go in that direction, or simply based on descriptions like “strong,” ”spicy,” or “smooth.” I have lady clients, too, who generally prefer more petite cigars, almost cigarette-size. Male or female, many love to smoke it on the spot – imagine the luxury of puffing a fresh-rolled cigar! But for those who don’t, we slip an Iberostar band on each cigar they buy.
What’s the most unusual situation you’ve encountered while working here?
One guy asked me to make a massive two-foot-long (61-cm) cigar – not to smoke, but to hang on his wall. Hey, why not?

[Edamski]

Sounds great! When we where om about going I found little about cigars on the usual tourist sites

[dmacleod28]

when? and did you go through the Canadian way like i recommended??

if it's in Dec. or Oct. i can probably squeeze in a 3 day-er to meet you down there

i no this post is abit dated i have been reading through as i am also going to cuba just havent booked trying to find best place to be based

can i ask what the Canadian way is?

[Simon Bolivar]

There's the Canadian way & then there's Butters way but I'll let him reveal all. If you search for my 10 part Cuban Holiday post, you'll get plenty of tips on what to see & where to go.

[dmacleod28]

been to the dominican was great but not as much cigars as i was hopping went to one small family cigar factory that was cool but thats about it going to cuba next

[butternutsquashpie]

There's the Canadian way & then there's Butters way but I'll let him reveal all.

can i ask what the Canadian way is?

I say this all with relevance from Europe
Normal way is to fly through Paris for a 400 euro round trip (if I can remember). They have a sale every once in a while where those prices drop quite low.
Canadian way is to just fly over to Toronto or Montreal to deal with some jetlag, then fly from Toronto/Montreal to Varadero/ Havana in 3 hours. ~500 quid round trip to Toronto from Manchester. Rates from Toronto to Varadero or Havana will definitely sway. But an off-peak 7 day trip to Varadero costs $750 CAD (400 GBP). A flight round trip (just the flight) to Havana is $250 CAD (110 GBP). Casa particulars is the best way to go in and around Havana. Just travel light.
My way is just the Canadian way. But you get a Canadian escort to show you the town and perhaps get you into El Laguito (Cohiba Factory) if time permits for them.