Cuba Trip Advice Please

[Cicero]

Dear All,

Beyond the considerable info which is already on here in regards cigar shops in Cuba, I wanted to put in a last minute request to see if any of you folks have any up to date suggestions on well stocked cigar shops - particularly for some of the more limited sticks. I'm off out there on Monday, several days in Havana at the beginning and end but rest of the few weeks to be spent south west of Havana, passing through Pinar del Rio and on to Bahia de Corrientes, then back via areas lining the Gulf of Batabano region - then east over to Cayo Coco area but probably no further down than Camaguey.

I'm assuming the best may be around the Havana area - I've got a fair list already from some searching around (thanks all), but I would appreciate any tip-offs ;-) - certainly there will be opportunities for a few detours along the way to any lesser known shops in different areas.

Just briefly - I also wondered if any of you have experience of coming back with beyond the 50 allowance and how it worked out after tax and overall cost wise once all cleared through customs (do they weigh in the box)? Checking out recent price lists there, it looks like I might as well make the most of it.


Cheers!
C

[PeeJay]

Yes they do weigh the box as well and no we can't condone trying to evade duty and you could also get stopped by Cuban customs and have them seized at point of exit.

[cj121]

If no one chips in with those 'tip-offs' have a safe trip. Perhaps you might be able to pop back here and tell or show us a little about your time in Cuba?

[Cicero]

PeeJay, I am not sure what gave you the idea that duty was trying to be evaded, actually I was asking the opposite - simply, has anyone taken back an extra box or two and what does that work out at versus simply buying here in the UK when you go through the duty process - hence asking about how they weigh them. Whilst I have been to Cuba before I have not been through the process of taking extra before (declared), so all there is to go on is the HMRC guidelines, which aren't spectacularly helpful in terms of how it actually works. If I were trying to evade duty, I certainly would not be posting on here. FYI, most times I've been to Cuba I've seen endless people declaring at the Cuban point of exit, I've never seen anything seized so long as it is voiced, and we are talking considerably more than 50 sticks. My question was more aimed at people who have processed extra on entry back to the UK.

Nevermind.

[PeeJay]

Just checked and no accusation made but if the guilty hat fits..... It was more a warning to others who might give you advice that isn't permitted here. If you Google it you'll see that UK duty is ?249 per kilo so it would make more sense to bring back Siglos than Quinteros as the value for duty is irrelevant. That comes into play when paying the VAT they'll hit you with too.

[Cicero]

Many thanks PeeJay for your advice and insight.

Still out for any well stocked shops if anyone has been recently. I'll be sure to share some pictures and a little review of the trip!

Cheers
C

[PeeJay]

If you search on Cigar Aficianado's site they did an article last year on the best shops in Havana.

[pootana]

I have had a wee browse online there doesn't seem to be a great selection of cuban holiday offers via UK companies. What carriers have people used

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

[wayne_w]

Holiday Hypermarket or Thomas Cook. Thomson are resuming holidays there from May, Varadero from Gatwick only though.
We've always used Thomas Cook & found them to be fine

[pootana]

Cheers...you can tell I am busy at work lol

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

[Cicero]

Pootana - we have gone Air Canada from Heathrow the past few times and spent a day or so in Toronto to break the trip up a little. Booking things via the internet was a nightmare for the first trip, which was some time ago, now it seems to be a little easier for the 'resort' areas like Varadero and Cayo, in terms of making the reservation anyway. Over a few trips we've built up some contacts outside of these areas and just stay with them rather than the major hotels. Happy to help more if you want some specific advice.

[cj121]

Is it not possible to tap into your contacts for some tips? I appreciate that the nuances of expensive cigars and the like eludes many Cubans though.

[handlebarpipe]

Holiday Hypermarket or Thomas Cook. Thomson are resuming holidays there from May, Varadero from Gatwick only though.
We've always used Thomas Cook & found them to be fine

Thanks for this information. It is a country I would love to visit.
Marc

[PeeJay]

I have had a wee browse online there doesn't seem to be a great selection of cuban holiday offers via UK companies. What carriers have people used

I've been twice with Virgin with no complaints however of late I've noticed a company that flies out of Manchester that seems to offer more interesting itineraries, can't remember the name though. Anybody?

[Cicero]

Is it not possible to tap into your contacts for some tips? I appreciate that the nuances of expensive cigars and the like eludes many Cubans though.

We have asked in the past and have found some nice places doing that, with a couple of exceptions which were not so good - largely though they were shops you can find cited on the internet, although of course easier to Google when you know what to search for. I've never bothered to ask particularly where I might find more aged, limited stock as to be honest the first couple of times it was more about the experience. I will certainly ask, but if any folk on here have recently come back and had any suggestions that would be great.