St Maarten; French Side/DR Punta Cana

[dememihel]

Hey guys, I'm planning a trip for my 10th wedding anniversary to either St Maarten; French Side/DR Punta Cana. Are there any legitimate cigar shops at either destination?

[Smallclub]

There is a LCDH in St Maarten (in Marigot) but it's on the dutch side.

As for DR, you won't find a legit habanos there, and hardly the dominican premium cigars. They are produced for export only.

[MC4]

There is a LCDH in St Marteen, the french side.

[Smallclub]

There is a LCDH in St Marteen, the french side.

No, it's on the dutch side, unless there's a new one...

[MC4]

No, it's on the dutch side, unless there's a new one...

Marigot IS the french side.

[dememihel]

Any good resorts on the dutch side near that LCDH?

[dememihel]

How about in St Barthelemy?

[Smallclub]

http://lacasadelhabano.com/web/index.php/en/franchises/search-franchises

[dememihel]

Perfect, Thanks

[MattW]

As for DR, you won't find a legit habanos there, and hardly the dominican premium cigars. They are produced for export only.

Not sure I agree with that at all!!

I was in Punta Cana in June 2014, there were legit Cubans and Dominicans in the Don Lucas factory shop (the short tour is good too), in our hotel's cigar shop/lounge (Iberostar Punta Cana) and also at Punta Cana airport.

Have a look at my thread following my visit:

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=119490#entry527642

Let me know if you have any questions about Punta Cana

[Bartolomeo]

Honeymoon was in Punta Cana in October, bring your own cigars.......

[Diamondog]

Habanos are available very selectively BUT the prices are ridiculous. There are lots of places to get all the highend Dominican smokes Opus etc...Punta Cana not sure but I have been to Puerta Plata many times...again pricing not going to be great on the higher end stuff..Definitely bring your own...

[CUBANO]

Was in DR a few years ago, definitely bring your own cigars.

[SofaKing]

I have been 2 times to Punta Cana (2005 &2011), as Small Club, Cubano, and Bartolomeo stated bring your own. Everything I came across was suspect(even in the resorts). Dominican sticks are exported and beware of rollers that the resorts bring in. They end up giving a freebee to try then push extremely hard for you to buy a box which probably isnt the same stick you just smoked. Save yourself the disappointment and bring your own.

[SokaKiel]

I'm on St. Maarten at the moment, passed by the Casa already but it was too late in the evening. I'll check it out today. And yes, it's in the French side capital of Marigot.

[helix]

My Buddy has a condo in St Maarten,only buy at the LCDH in Marigot all others are fake.

[mgravito]

Why go to the LCDH when I'm sure some fine gentleman will hand deliver some to you on the beach at a steep discount because his mother's hairdresser's cousin's niece works at the factory and sneaks them out?

[dememihel]

I found this list of stores. Hope it's updated regularly

http://www.cigargroup.com/regional/international/

[SokaKiel]

Sorry guys, took me a few days to answer. I actually didn't make it into the Casa in Marigot. I drove by a few more times but only saw it open one day when I was in a rush and no nearby car park was available.

Now I'm in St. Thomas and it'll be at least a month until I'll be back on St. Maarten. Sorry I couldn't help!