LCDH in Varadero?

[BellevilleMXZ]

We head out for a week on the 24th.....looking on tripadvisor, I see a lot of people talking of overcharging/can't go in humidor. Anyone here ran into that? I guess there is also one a la plaza America? Yes I will have the price list with me, but i'm not interested in arguing about the price. We are also planning on a 1 day trip to Havana, but don't want to make the day all about running around looking for cigars. If I have to pick just ONE place in Havana to go for cigars , where should I go? Planning on hotel nacional  atleast. I really would like to be able to go in the humidor and look around.  I would also love some good customs at the same place we go. Thanks!!

[shlomo]

Very rare they allow tourists in the humidors. Have to have a prior relationship or catch them on a good day which is rare in Varadero.

Plaza Americas is the best LCDH in Varadero imo. If you know what you are talking about, you get treated decently. I have had nothing but rude, awful experiences at the others, although the cigars are sometimes at 31st or 63rd and not Americas (and vice versa).

There is no arguing price. They don't care. Whatever they say is law in the shops. It would be akin to arguing pricing with our host.

In Havana, Nacional is a nice hotel. Comodorro is where to go for cigars, or Partagas imo.

Enjoy your trip, go with a vast list and try to rank the boxes you want beforehand, otherwise, you'll end up spending hours and hours in these shops...lol

Bring me back something nice!

[ComancheKeen]

As mentioned, go with a long list and be prepared to not be able to purchase what’s on or near the top of that list. That said there is plenty to choose from in Varadero. Also be prepared to not be let into any of the humidors in Varadero. Plaza Americas has some boxes within the store (not in the main humidor) which you can rummage through. They should all let you open the boxes before purchasing for inspection. If they don’t, steer clear. 

I prefer Calle 31 and Plaza Americas. I found some nice aged stock at Calle 31 in January. Plaza Americas had a very good selection of regular production stock when I was there. I would only go to Calle 63 to grab some custom rolls from Alphonso. No issues with overcharging on my trip. Good luck!

[dvickery]

All good advice above .

i have not been to vara in a while ... (since I stopped going to Cuba twice a year ).

in vara I prefer plaza America 

yes the cows at 63rd overcharge (on everything (singles and boxes))... if you insist on a "factura" they have to charge you the proper prices ... I have had to argue with them to get a factura tho .

In Havana ... best "spot" to go is melia havana/comodoro ... two good shops (with good rollers) less than 5 minute walk apart ... both charge government prices .

enjoy

derrek

[David88]

I bought from both plaza America and 63rd while in varadero. I had no trouble with either and staff at both were quite friendly, I wasn’t allowed into the humidor in either though. While I was there I didn’t have any issues with over charging of what I bought, but in both stores their cohiba and RE selections were being sold at a higher price than Havana. It was interesting as the price stickers on the boxes showed the higher price rather than just opportunistic demands from staff. 

[oliverdst]

Is there a standart overcharge (like 10%) or it changes from place to place, brand to brand?

[shlomo]

2 hours ago, oliverdst said:

Is there a standart overcharge (like 10%) or it changes from place to place, brand to brand?

Depends what they can get away with.

[ebhead]

I've never been to Vara so I can't comment on that.

For Havana I like the Habana Libre's humidor (the tall one close to the Hotel Nacional), you'll rarely want for quantity. Selection last week was predominantly regular production, but for all marcas. Although you are going right after the Partagas festival so stock may be a little lighter than normal. Side story, when we landed in Havana on the 9th the first spot we hit was the Libre, as soon as we walked in there was a group that was making a big purchase, maybe about 2/3 mastercases worth stacked on the counter and in boxes on the floor. We walked into the humidor and there was still ample supply, all shelves were full. We went back the next day and it was starting to empty with three/four shelves cleared out. Regular stock included two 50 cabs of Punch DCs. I can't remember but they may have also had a few 50 cabs of RASS, about 17 boxes of Sir Winnies (yes, I counted). THey also have copies of the MRN book, in Spanish though.

I've never had an issue walking into a humidor in Havana except the Nacional. At the Nacional sometimes they get a little standoffish if you want to go in but the door is locked. Since you plan to hit that up take the ten minutes to walk to Habana Libre.

As stated above the Comodoro/Melia combination would work. Although I've never been a big fan of the Comodoro (small as f*** and not much to choose from), Melia is good for its lounge.

Your other option (although I'm sure others will sh*t on me for it) is the Vara airport humidor. They won't let you in though, but you do have a good view of their stock. They usually have good stuff, not as varied as the Habana Libre but good stock nonetheless. I've picked up some good boxes there, 2012 Sir Winnies (in 2014), RE/LEs. When we flew out of there on the 13th there were about 8-10 boxes of SLR Cuba REs. Only one word of warning, if you're buying by credit card at the airport they hose you anywhere between 10-20% over the list price. But then again, living in Canada that's still plenty cheap for me. 

[helix]

Friendly staff at the Plaza A . IMHO Alphonso's customs are as good as any I have had in Havana . 

[cmbarton]

IMO, there’s nothing wrong with getting your sticks in Havana if you don’t like your options in Varadero, and you won’t be chasing around Havana all day so long as you know where to go the first time. Again, IMO, stay away from the shops in the touristy areas. Even if they are government prices, they are picked over and people are packed in. The best selection I found in Havana with the roomiest shop and sparsest crowd was the LCDH at 5 y 16 in the Miramar neighborhood. The restaurant connected to it is very good as well. Among the touristy areas, the LCDH in El Morro had an excellent selection and only a moderate crowd. That particular LCDH had the distinction of being the only shop I could find that had Monte 2’s.

I’d stay far away from the shop at Partagas. The crowd there was ridiculous!


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[JohnInCleveland]

I like Plaza Americas in Varadero.  They hooked me up with some Excelencias, they were out of em and they held 2 boxes for me out of their next shipment and even refused a tip.  

 

I had a really positive experience with the ladies there, they were a bit standoffish at first but they warmed up to me after a few days.  The other store is a tourist hellhole from my experience, with very spotty inventory.  

[clutch5150]

Hotel Libre is my choice for a one stop shop while in Havana.

[helix]

Well stocked reg. production.

[BellevilleMXZ]

Thanks so much everyone, this is a great help!!

[BellevilleMXZ]

13 hours ago, helix said:

. IMHO Alphonso's customs are as good as any I have had in Havana . 

And he is at 63?

[ComancheKeen]

15 hours ago, BellevilleMXZ said:

And he is at 63?

Correct. Look for him upstairs. Plaza also has a roller as well just outside. However on certain days they may not be around. 

[BellevilleMXZ]

6 hours ago, ComancheKeen said:

Correct. Look for him upstairs. Plaza also has a roller as well just outside. However on certain days they may not be around. 

Great, Thanks!

[Zedman05]

In Havana, the Comodoro is where Alex's customs are. The cigar selection isn't as grand, but you really can just walk next door to the Melia hotel with a larger selection as well as more customs. These 2 hotels are a bit out of the way from the busy tourist area, so if you want to stay in Habana Vieja, I would say the Conde de Villenueva is a great stop for Reynaldos customs as well as a decent selection of cigars.
There are, of course more cigars shops in Havana, but if you want customs, these 3 are pretty easy to get to and have the more recognizable customs other than Mons' stuff (but it takes a drive to get out there and you may not want to go that far).

Have fun, and stick to the Plaza Las Americas shop in Varadero. I have sent people there with a list and no idea about cigars, and the ladies there have helped them out and got more than expected. I went there in June, opened boxes, found beetles and then opened more until I was satisfied. This shop also has a pretty decent stock of stuff.