www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Can I buy cigars from Honduras, Nicaragua, Dom. Republic, etc. in San Jose? If I can, are they reasonably priced and where can I get them? I do not need cuban cigars. I realize that cuban cigars are way overpriced and the market is flooded with fakes. Thanks for any help.

Zona blue has a nice selection from all over. No fakes but not the cheapest. about 15.00 ea last month.

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I am not a cigar smoker so have no idea of the quality of various countries cigar. There was some postings, maybe 6 months ago, from those who claimed to be cigar aficionados that ZB was selling fake Cubans.

ZB never confirmed or denied that statement so I would say be careful.

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As you may imagine, the ones on the street are fake. Still, they make a nice smoke, but don't pay more than $1US each. And fer chrissake, don't get crossways with US Customs for bringing in fakes.

BTW, if they see you smoking a cigar, the street guys will hardly leave you alone.

There are one or two cigar stores near the DR, but have not checked them out. The little cigar counter in that shopping mall between the NY Bar and the Prez does not have anything serious. However, you can get a $1 Bic lighter there for 1,000c ($2).

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"Ah, if only I had brought a cigar with me! This would have established my identity." - Charles Dickens

If you know real Cubans, you can quickly tell the street ones are fakes. (Any worker who rolled crap like that would be put back in the fields the next day.) Did not look at the ZB offerings, so I cannot comment.

I would gladly pay $600 for another box of 20 of my good old Siglo #5 Cohibas, but alas, they are just not made anymore.

All in all, the Cubans are not what they were 10 years ago. Demand is too high, and to keep up, they have lowered their standards. I would even swear thay are bringing in tobacco from the DR. Anyway, I would not risk the US Customs problems for what Habanos passes as cigars these days.

Oh, and I am the guy you will find in a cloud of cigar smoke at the BM bar. That was how Voyager2 recognized me when we first met there in July.

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"Ah, if only I had brought a cigar with me! This would have established my identity." - Charles Dickens

You might consider Don Benigno cigars.The factory is in Pavas, near the US Embassy,a short ride from the gultch.He brings the tobacco from Cuba and rolls them here.No problem with customs,they say made in Costa Rica on the box.They will give you a tour and let you try a cigar.If you pay cash they'll give you a 10% discount.

Mmmmm. Fresh-rolled cigars. I need to make note of that.

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"Ah, if only I had brought a cigar with me! This would have established my identity." - Charles Dickens

Ap68’

CR taxes on import cigars are near what we pay in the US. If you want any cigars from DR, or any other country other than Cuba, buy them in the US via JR cigars. But if you want great cigars not available in the US try Don Benigno CR. GREAT cigars with Cuban and Cuban seed tobacco. Ask one of the drivers outside the SL to take you there… Several US congressmen have them sent to them via the embassy…

Now if you want Habanos… (IMHO still the best in the world!) CR is in the upper midrange of the price structure. If your plane does a stop in El Salvador (TACA) buy them there…best prices, and duty free are real Cuban. Duty free in CR is a good guarantee of authenticity, but prices are not the best. The cigar shop a block from the Presidente has authentic cigars, but they are at high tourist prices!

If you are an American in CR, you might as well smoke the forbidden fruit…Habanos!
DO NOT BUY THEM ON THE STREET! THEY ARE FAKE! Buy what you want at duty free…

As far as ZB…Eddie does his best to keep a fine selection of cigars! Yes, I believe he got taken for some fakes last spring… but everything I saw this past trip was first class. But you will pay a premium for getting a great cigar in a quality place… but then again after the great service that you get at ZB for $40…a few bucks for a good smoke is well worth it. After all, ZB is a cigar bar too, so he has to make a profit! Eddie is a big Padron fan and has some great ones available…

Mendo

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You know what.... I thought they were fake too!!!!! The labels look bogus. In fact, I was complaining and did not see Eddie approaching. He immediately started to defend his cigars. I backed off... didn't want to cause a scene... but I'm certain they are not Cuban.

Still they are okay cigars... just a little overpriced.

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There is a place in San Jose that makes the Flora Real cigar. Near clinica Biblica. I get a bundle without the bands for 6 mil. thats 20 for 11 bucks. There are others a little more and I find them to be quite good. give them a try.

Rusty and Slappy, can you give a bit more specific locations for these places, possibly the nearest cross streets.

If it's a taxi ride from the Gulch, then what directions can I give the driver. (Last time I got in a taxi at the DR, with Voyager2 as a witness, we had to get the map out to get to the ZB. Seriously.)

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"Ah, if only I had brought a cigar with me! This would have established my identity." - Charles Dickens

Cyrano,this is the address for Don Benigno: De la Embajada de USA. 300m Oeste,200m Sur y 75m Oeste. Phone: 506-232-8166.It's around the corner from the US Embassy in Pavas.

Thanks for everyone's reply. Hopefully I will meet some of you when I am down there. Take care, Alan

I buy almost all of my cigars from Cigars International www.ci.com . They have the best selection of both cigars and accessories at very good prices. I travel to the DR often and can buy the same cigars made in the DR for 10-20% less from Cigars International than I can in country and in better condition.

My suggestion is to purchase your cigars in the States and take them with you.

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Oh Yeah!

Thanks for the info I will use it soon