My Cancun/Cuba trip report

[compitaveggie]

Pictures

picasaweb.google.com/jvaguayo/Cigar2011

Cuba/Cancun trip report

This was my second time going to Cuba and my forth to Cancun. I went to both places in August of 2009 with my then pregnant wife. This time I went with my wife and almost 2 year old son. Last time around when we got to Havana all I really cared about was about cigars, this time was different, I was focused on having a good time with my family. Luckily having a good time and cigars goes hand in hand, so even though I didn’t focus on cigars I still had a good many.

My trip started in Cancun.

I had taken my own PSD4 that I bought at LCDH TJ a day before to smoke for the first day knowing I would be too lazy to go out and find cigars.

The second day I was there I visited the LCDH Cancun. I had a great Mojito made by David. I bought six cigars to smoke while in Cancun. All the cigars were awesome.

I normally only smoke about 12 cigars a year and about a 6 pack a year, but in Cancun I had 7 cigars and 30 beers!!!

We went to visit the pyramids, Xcaret, spent a day at Playa Del Carmen, spent a day at Isla Mujeres and just basically lounged around the beach and pool enjoying our vacation as a family.

The day that I did go to Playa Del Carmen I went to LCDH on 5th Ave and was very disappointed. I like to visit all the LCDH’s that I can and was really excited to visit this one, unfortunately when I went in I saw a very small selection and cigars that were in very poor conditions. I only bought a single cigar because my wife had used the bathroom so I kind of felt obligated. Needless to say this was the ONLY cigar on my whole trip that was just OK. My suggestion is to either head to LCDH Cozumel or LCDH Cancun, both 1 hour away, or bring your own cigars if staying in Playa Del Carmen. The Casa Partagas stores also seemed to have poor storage conditions.

One week after we were in Cancun we headed to Havana.

Havana was awesome all around. We stayed at the hotel Parque Central and it was perfect for us. It doesn’t have the charm of Havana but it was a quiet place to stay near EVERYTHING with all the amenities from home, a requirement my wife made for us to visit Cuba if my son was to go with us. The first day we went to the Hotel Nacional to have a Mojito and overlook the Malecon. Early the next day I went over to the Conde De Villanueva to see if Reynaldo was there but it was his day off. I still bought a few robusto cigars he rolled and they were the highlight cigars of my trip… just perfect all around until the very last inch. I did get to see Reynaldo a few days late. I met up with Abelito, he is a guy in Havana that has all the hook ups in Havana but ironically doesn’t care to smoke or drink? I know that a good many members from many forums have used him. We met him since our last trip and this time we spent time with his wife and two kids because my son was desperate to play with kids. My sons ended up having his first crush on his daughter. The cool thing about Cuba is that EVERYWHERE you go you can smoke a cigar. I smoked 2-3 cigars a day in Cuba!!!!!! I visited Partagas and Romeo y Julieta, The LCDH at Melia Habana and a few other LCDH that I forget the names. The factory tours were closed in all the factories in Havana due to a dispute over who pockets the money made from the tours, being Cuba this can change any day and be open already. The cigar stock on the week of the 8th of October was basically ALL regular production cigars, no BHK’s, no Limited Edition for 2011, no new releases for 2011. I ended up buying the glass Upmann jar and the Partagas jar. I also went for a day trip to Varadero to visit the beach and spend a day at the pool to cool off from the heat. Nothing special at the LCDH in Varadero. Like I said earlier,this trip was much more family oriented and I think I enjoyed Cuba soo much more than last time. It seems that this time because I spent more time seeing everything else about Cuba and spending time with Abelitos family, I enjoyed Cuba much more and had way more cigars than my last trip.I was also hoping to meet up with two other friend while in Cuba but our timing was off so it just wasn't meant to be this time. I could only imagine how much more fun it would have been, guess i'll have to plan another trip!!!

When we left Havana we landed in Cancun and had to face Mexican Customs. Just so you know ANYTHING over 25 cigars per person is taxable at a new rate of 476%. Last time I was there in 2009 it was 212% so be very careful of bringing too many. I brought home about a hundred but I had cargo pants on and lied my way past the Customs officer, something I don’t think I’ll do again next time.

Jose

[brazoseagle]

Sounds Great, where were you traveling from?

[nubchin]

Great trip , great pictures !! Makes me want to visit again .

I loved the local shop price list

Chupa chaps, eggs

Rom, Rom

Rom, Rom

Rom, Rom

Cigarettes, Cigarettes

Condoms

[Bartolomeo]

Great post Jose, thanks for sharing and good to hear family enjoyed it as well

Bart

[Rushman]

Nice report. I will be taking my first trip to Cuba early next year. My wife knows the owner of the LCDH in cancun and in PDC. The one in cancun is certainly elegant. We know the guy in PdC well and it's too bad the shop doesn't measure up to the other LCDH around the world. It's certainly not the best place (or the worst) to shop for sticks in PDC. Next time your in the riviera maya look me up.

[Wil]

Great photos. We stayed at a casa in Havana but did frequent the hotel Parque Central's rooftop pool a few times. They are happy for you to use it without staying there, as long as you buy a few drinks and tip the bar staff

[compitaveggie]

Sounds Great, where were you traveling from?

San Diego via Tijuana

[compitaveggie]

Nice report. I will be taking my first trip to Cuba early next year. My wife knows the owner of the LCDH in cancun and in PDC. The one in cancun is certainly elegant. We know the guy in PdC well and it's too bad the shop doesn't measure up to the other LCDH around the world. It's certainly not the best place (or the worst) to shop for sticks in PDC. Next time your in the riviera maya look me up.

I was really disappointed because they might not have a elegant LCDH but they have it in prime location and looked so cool to hang out and watch people stroll by. I really hope they put more effort in maintaining the cigars and make use of its great location.

Jose

[mazolaman]

Great report Jose,glad you enjoyed the special atmosphere of Havana.

[Ghabanos]

Awesome... just awesome..

[DinoCop05]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing that wonderful experience. I'm dying to go to Cuba. Someday....

[CUBANO]

Jose,

Gracias por las fotos. We've been going to Cancun for last couple of years and always visit LCDH and David. It's a great place and good people.

[Ryan]

Great pictures and report Jose, looks like you had a great time. Great looking family.

Good to see your son has a healthy interest in boobs.

The Parque Central is the perfect place to stay with a family, it's an oasis in that part of the city.

[Tarks]

Nice trip report and great haul! Thanks for sharing.

[riazp]

awesome pictures Jose. I plan on going to cuba with my son who will be 4 when we go. Will be my first time. Thank you for sharing and I love the haul!

[compitaveggie]

Great pictures and report Jose, looks like you had a great time. Great looking family.

Good to see your son has a healthy interest in boobs.

The Parque Central is the perfect place to stay with a family, it's an oasis in that part of the city.

Thanks Guys.

Yup he instantly reached for the boobs!!

I agree about the Parque Central being perfect for a family, Cuba will make anybody have to get used to certain changes and adjustment to your normal life and having a hotel that is a bit more like home sure makes it easier on the kid, which in turn makes it easier on the parents.

Jose