Cuba Trip Advice Please

[cj121]

As you'll no doubt know, and perhaps for the benefit of inexperienced travellers or infrequent users of the forum, resist all temptation to buy from locals who "know someone who works at the factory"

[pootana]

I will have a browse on the Internet I fancied a twin centre holiday

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[Simon Bolivar]

So for my 2penny worth, I think Cicero asked a straight fwd question, that I myself have wodered a few times myself. If for instance you knew HMRC were going to add 30% in total to the price you paid abroad, it would be an easy calculation to figure out if it was worth bring a box or two back over your limit & declaring them. I have brought back a few singles back over my limit before but that was to Belgium & they seem to work out the charges in a totally different way I.e. I don't think weighing comes into it. So although this is the UK CF, if you are residing in another country it might be worth checking the rules for that country. I am guessing the British Customs started weighing tobacco when it was imported as leaf & just kept this up when taxes changed & boxes were imported. The levels of tax were much lower then so perhaps it didn't make such a significant extra cost as it would today. Compare the difference between 10 farm rolled cigars declared over a 10 box of Behikes. The lovely lacquered box the Behike's come in weighs considerably more than the cigars. So perhaps worth ditching the box & just tying in a bundle & wrapping in cling film would work out a better deal on the tax & the VAT would be the real cost, (keep your receipts from LCDH to prove what you paid). I can imagine, claiming you only paid 10 bucks each from the friend of a friend, wouldn't wash & might risk them being confiscated as fakes!
I guess once taxes & VAT are added to the average box, the cost would be similar to UK Prices, thus discouraging people from bringing back large amounts of goods to save some money over buying at home. But if you found a special collectors box, it still could be worth bringing it back, if as always seems to happen, you found it after spreading buying your allocated legal limit,
And although Peejay was quick to jump in there, we have had plenty of not so innocent enquiries in the past but to my mind questions ref declaring good & paying the required dues are & should remain a legitimate subject for conversation.

[wayne_w]

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

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Same here!

[wayne_w]

I have noticed that Airbnb have some nice looking places to stay in Havana

[pootana]

Had to Google that as didn't know what airbnb was. Last 13 hr shift so will Google it in the early hours

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[Cicero]

So for my 2penny worth, I think Cicero asked a straight fwd question, that I myself have wodered a few times myself. If for instance you knew HMRC were going to add 30% in total to the price you paid abroad, it would be an easy calculation to figure out if it was worth bring a box or two back over your limit & declaring them. I have brought back a few singles back over my limit before but that was to Belgium & they seem to work out the charges in a totally different way I.e. I don't think weighing comes into it. So although this is the UK CF, if you are residing in another country it might be worth checking the rules for that country. I am guessing the British Customs started weighing tobacco when it was imported as leaf & just kept this up when taxes changed & boxes were imported. The levels of tax were much lower then so perhaps it didn't make such a significant extra cost as it would today. Compare the difference between 10 farm rolled cigars declared over a 10 box of Behikes. The lovely lacquered box the Behike's come in weighs considerably more than the cigars. So perhaps worth ditching the box & just tying in a bundle & wrapping in cling film would work out a better deal on the tax & the VAT would be the real cost, (keep your receipts from LCDH to prove what you paid). I can imagine, claiming you only paid 10 bucks each from the friend of a friend, wouldn't wash & might risk them being confiscated as fakes!
I guess once taxes & VAT are added to the average box, the cost would be similar to UK Prices, thus discouraging people from bringing back large amounts of goods to save some money over buying at home. But if you found a special collectors box, it still could be worth bringing it back, if as always seems to happen, you found it after spreading buying your allocated legal limit,
And although Peejay was quick to jump in there, we have had plenty of not so innocent enquiries in the past but to my mind questions ref declaring good & paying the required dues are & should remain a legitimate subject for conversation.

Thanks for your insight Simon. I didn't realise the question would raise some eyebrows it was meant as an entirely innocent and proper question, but perhaps I could have been much clearer in my original question. The way you explain it is precisely the scenario I am talking about; it is why I was asking if anyone had thoughts on places where one might have a better chance of picking up some of the more rarer, limited sticks. In my experience, over past couple of trips to Cuba (quite spaced out trips as well), you can find some aged stock with a little digging, but I've struggled to find that extra special box. I suspected the duty and VAT would more or less level things but I've never taken back over the allowance so I really do not know. As I alluded, on my last trip (we went via Canada) I saw quite a few people taking out a lot more - clearly as you state different rules for different countries, but some of the quantities were really quite high, which did peak my curiosity....if I stumbled upon a couple of really special boxes, would it be worth it. I've never exited with singles, only with boxes.

Well, if I find anything special I will report back on whether it was worth it.


Cheers.
C

[Simon Bolivar]

I was last there in Feb 2011 & will be going again Jan '17, a delayed 25th wedding anniversary cruise but what I did notice was there was nothing more than acouple of yrs ould in most palces. I have a friend who goes several times a year & he tells me the LCDH's have trouble getting supplies let only ordinary outlets. I think the oldest box I found was Monte Especials No2 that were 5yo. Would have bought them but wanted to buy harder to find stuff. I picked up 2 boxes of Part Con Series D No3's, Cab of 50 Boli CG's. from 2007.

[PeeJay]

I think it was Wolfie who said that the Cuban shop staff couldn't understand why he wanted old cigars when they had so many nice new ones.

[RDBM]

This comes from a blog called Flying Cigar by a well known aficionado called Nino Munoz. There are accommodation recommendations on there somewhere I just couldn't find them. Hope it's of some use.
Casas Del Habano

La Casa del Habano, Partag?s
Industria #520 e/ Dragones y Barcelona, behind the Capitolio
Roller : Leopoldina "La China" / Manager Grecia Qui?ones
Casa del Habano, Hostal Conde de Villanueva
Mercaderes #202, e/ Lamparilla y Amargura, Habana Vieja
Roller : Reynaldo Jimenez
La Casa del Habano, Quinta Y 16
Ave. 5ta #1407 e/ 14 y 16, Miramar
Roller : Maria / PR Manager : Carlos Robaina
La Casa del Habano, Club Habana
Ave. 5ta e/ 188 y 192
Roller : Jorge / Manager : Leo

La Casa del Habano, Melia Habana
Hotel Melia Habana, Miramar
Roller : Yolanda

La Casa del Habano, Melia Cohiba
Hotel Melia Cohiba, Vedado
Roller : Juanita / Manager Vivian

Casa del Tabaco "La Escogida"
Hotel Comodoro, Miramar
Roller : Alex / Manager Andres/

Casa del Tabaco La Caba?a
La Caba?a Fortress
Roller : Jose Castelar "Cueto" / Manager Daniel
La Casa del Habano, Hotel Habana Libre
Calle L e/ 23 y 25, El Vedado


Paladares / Bars

Starbien (Great food–especially recommended : business lunch !)
Calle 29 #205 e/ B y C, Vedado
(+53) 7-830-0711

Iv?n Chef Justo (Great atmosphere and food)
Aguacate #9 esq. a Chac?n, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-863-9697

Santy's(Best seafood, hidden away)
Calle 240A #3023 esq. a 3ra C, Jaimanitas
(+53) 5-286-7039

El Templete (Seafood/Spanish - highly recommended)
Avda. del Puerto

La Terraza del Centro Asturiano (Great food, large servings )
Prado 309
(+53) 7-864 1447 / 5-817 8778

R?o Mar (Good but expensive, by the sea)
Ave. 3raA y Final #11, La Puntilla, Miramar
(+53) 7-209-4838

El Litoral (By the US Embassy, great place to relax at the terrace, great food)
Malec?n #161 e/ K y L, Vedado
(+53) 7-830-2201

El Chanchullero (opens 1 pm, small, great food and atmosphere, cheap)
Teniente Rey #457 bajos, Plaza del Cristo, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-872-8227

El Rejoneo ( Fresh Sandwiches, cheap, great garden )
11 Esq. a 84, Miramar, Playa
(+53) 7-203 5190

Corte del Pr?ncipe / Segio's (Italian, good, expensive)
Calle 9na esq. a 74, Miramar
(+53) 5-255-9091

La Fontana (Only the Bar !)
Calle 46 #305 esq. a 3ra, Miramar
(+53) 7-202-8337

La Guarida (The best - crowded -reservation is essential)
Concordia #418 e/ Gervasio y Escobar, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-866-9047

San Crist?bal (kitschy atmosphere, good food)
San Rafael #469 e/ Lealtad y Campanario, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-860-9109

D. Eutimia (touristy, good food, crowded)
Callej?n del Chorro #60C, Plaza de la Catedral, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7 861 1332

Espacios ( Great tapas, BBQ, private garden, good crowd )
Calle 10 e 5 y 7, Miramar
(+53) 7-202 2921

Otramanera (possibly the best quality Paladar in HAV right now)
A/C room inside, 2 tables in patio, reservation needed, my favourite choice.
Calle 35 e 20 y 41, Playa, close to the Casa de la Musica.
(+53) 7 203 8315

Casa Abel, Paladar and Cigar lounge by Abel Esposito, former manager of LCDH Partagas
319 San Lazaro esq/ Nicolas, Centro Habana
(+53) 7 860 6589

Gato Tuerto Jazz Club
Calle O entre 17 y 19, Vedado
(+53) 7-833-2224

La Zorra y el Cuervo Jazz Club
Calle 23 e/ N y O, Vedado
(+53) 7-833-2402

El Sauce (Great bands, large garden, Cubans)
Ave. 9na #12015 e/ 120 y 130, Playa
(+53) 7-204-6428

Don Cangrejo (By the sea, action)
Ave. 1ra e/ 16 y 18, Miramar
(+53) 7-204-3837

F?brica de Arte (Three storied old factory, art exhibitions, restaurant)
Calle 26 e/ 11 y 13, Vedado

Casa de la M?sica MIRAMAR
Calle 20 esq. a 35, Miramar
(+53) 7-204-0447

Salon Rojo (Meat market)
Hotel Capri next to Hotel Nacional


Sights to see

Hotel Nacional - The terrace and the Historical bar.

Plaza de Armas ( Hotel Ambos Mundos roof terrace, Hotel Santa Isabel roof terrace great views, Hotel sevilla roof garden )

Plaza Vieja ( Beer bar and Cafe El Escorial are OK )
Great Cigar lounge / Cocktail bar over Cafe Escorial "Azucar",
Owner Juan from Spain, run by his wife. Best Mojitos in town. Must visit.

Calle Obispo pedestrian area - start at either bottom or top and walk it. At top is La Floridita ( Daiquiris ) near bottom is La Bodeguita del Medio ( Mojitos ) both very touristy.

Bacardi Building - beautiful Art deco, take the lift to the top, great views.

Marti Monument - historical museum and great views from the top over Havana and Revolution Square.

Colon cemetery - walk the grounds, amazing tombstones, small city.

El Morro castle - very interesting, great little bar right at the bottom : 12 Apostoles named for the 12 cannons

La Caba?a fortress - The 9 pm gun shot show - great bar at the bottom : La Divina Pastora

Casa Fuster street in Jaimanitas next to Club Habana - a street decorated by Fuster a tile artist in the Gaudi style, beautiful !

Old Havana - walk the side/parallel streets of Calle Obispo from Capitol down to harbour.

The Rum museum (Museo del Ron) - next to Plaza San Francisco

Hope you have a great time.