Hoping to get some Cubans on vacation

**ymichael76** · 11-01-2005, 09:22 PM

Hello all, this is my first visit to the community and my first post. I've been surfing thrugh for a few hours now and love this place! I have a question that I'm hoping I can get some advise about. I'm going on vacation to St. Maarten in the Carribean at the end of this month. I'm wondering 1) if anyones been there and knows if I'll be able to get some Cubans, and 2) Does anyone have a recommendation for a medium bodied cuban cigar I should try or look to pick up?

**Krautle87** · 11-01-2005, 10:43 PM

I don't know about that specific location, but the general wisdom around here suggests that one should avoid street venders and look for authorized Habanos dealers. If I were to be getting Cubans, I would be looking at Cohibas, Monte #2s, Romeo y Julietas, Hoyo de Monterreys, ect. I would suggest you get something with a heavier ring gauge, when I got a few in Canada I didn't know what I was doing, and got all Coronas, and while they wern't bad, I don't think I got the full experiance out of them.

**ymichael76** · 11-02-2005, 02:46 PM

Thanks, I'm pretty excited about trying to get some new smokes. I know that half of St Maarten is dutch/french so I'm just not sure if they have trade barriers with Cuban or not. Thanks for the recommendations.

Peace

**55Kingpin** · 11-02-2005, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by ymichael76

Thanks, I'm pretty excited about trying to get some new smokes. I know that half of St Maarten is dutch/french so I'm just not sure if they have trade barriers with Cuban or not. Thanks for the recommendations.

Peace

I just got back from St. Marteen/Martin last week. If you're looking to buy some Cubans over there be prepared to shell out some cash. Prices I saw were ridiculous.

I've traveled to the majority of the Western and Eastern Caribbean over the past few years and I usually end up taking my own cigars to smoke. With all of the tourism nowadays and the ungodly amount of uneducated people who just want some "good" Cubans I don't foresee prices coming down anytime soon.

I was only in St. Martin for a few hours (I was on a cruise) so I went to Orient beach, drank a few beers, and smoked a Torano Exodus Gold Torp.....If you're lucky you'll see a few hotties sunbathing/walking the beach topless.

**CoventryCat86** · 11-02-2005, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by Krautle87

I don't know about that specific location, but the general wisdom around here suggests that one should avoid street venders and look for authorized Habanos dealers. If I were to be getting Cubans, I would be looking at Cohibas, Monte #2s, Romeo y Julietas, Hoyo de Monterreys, ect. I would suggest you get something with a heavier ring gauge, when I got a few in Canada I didn't know what I was doing, and got all Coronas, and while they wern't bad, I don't think I got the full experiance out of them.

Personally I would AVOID all four of those brands as they are the four most faked Cuban cigars out there especially in tourist areas. I also have to disagree with looking for larger ring gauge cigars. The "standard" gauge is considered to be 40 - 44. I'd stick with those if I were you.

**Krautle87** · 11-02-2005, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by CoventryCat86

Personally I would AVOID all four of those brands as they are the four most faked Cuban cigars out there especially in tourist areas. I also have to disagree with looking for larger ring gauge cigars. The "standard" gauge is considered to be 40 - 44. I'd stick with those if I were you.

Well, that's why you're the vet.
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