www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Greetings:

As a veteran cigar aficionado I am looking for a couple of legitimate Cuban Cigar shops and/or lounges. (Please, do not direct me to the friend of a cousin from Cuba who can offer me a glass top box of Cohibas for $25).

I understand they have a La Casa del Habano in San Jose. Is it near the San Pedro mall?...do they sell single sticks or only boxes?...is there a lounge area where you can hang out and order mojitos and Cuban coffee or is it a small shop with no lounge area?

I understand they have just added a cigar lounge at Zona Blue....BTW, what are the operating hours for ZB?

Any other places/lounges where they sell authentic--not fake--Cuban Cigars you could recommend?...any music or jazz clubs?

Thanks,

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El Chevere
"The Smooth One"

There are a couple of cigar shops in the gulch.

I went into one with a friend over Labor Day and he said that real cubans were about $20-25 each.

I don't know anything about cigars so I have no other info (brand, flavor, etc) I just stopped in there with him.

ElChevere: The official Casa del Habanos store in CR is at the Mall San Pedro. Their website is www.habanoscr.net. I have found most nicer looking cigar shops have the real deal. Two in the gulch area that I have frequented: turn left when you walk out the Hotel Presidente to the corner and make a right up the hill. Half way up the hill is one where I have bought Montecristo #2's. Continue up the hill for another 1 1/2 blocks to Morazon Park and make a quick right and the other shop is there. Just be careful going to that shop at night unless you are wearing running shoes. Wile Coyote

If you make a right you are only going to see the north side of KL and the Del Mar restaurant.

Think you mean make a left. Past the school are a few shops and one I think sells cigars.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Why doesn't somebody just give him the address...

Okay:

De Hotel Presidente:
Oeste de 100 metros
Norte de 200 metros
Oeste de 50 metros

En el lado izquierdo a través de Parque de Morazan

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Thanks for the web site...the LCDH looks like it will be a base of operations for me a couple of afternoons. Looks as though they do sell singles and there is definitely a lounge area to hang out.

Can one walk here from the Presidente (during the day, of course) or would I be better off taking a cab.

Thanks

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El Chevere
"The Smooth One"

Yes you can walk from the Presidente to Mall San Pedro during the day. Better idea is to leave the Presidente and walk one block east and board a bus. They almost all will have a sign in the window that they go to Mall San Pedro and the cost is about 25 cents

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

ElChevere, I'm visitng in March and too am an aficionado of cigars. Where should I go to get a good smoke? I'd like to buy a box, but hesitant to bring it back. Any information you can share or enlighten me is appreciated.

Gracias!

_________________
Keeping it tight!

Sting Ray Miami: It's okay to revive a post that is 4 months old, but first I suggest you: read the above posts re: cigars as they already answer your question; read the newbie section; and, do a search. Wile Coyote

Are you the "Admin"? The post is intended for "ElChevere." I responded after running a search and reading the thread. I'm trying to get his comments AFTER visintg CR and exploring the cigar's market.

BTW, are you from Chicago? If so, the Colts are going to ride your Bears all the way to CR.

thanks, dude.

_________________
Keeping it tight!

SRM: No I am not Admin. and if you look closely you will note that I am not from Chicago but I love Chicago none the less. Posts are not intended just for one person dimwit as we all enjoy reading and commenting. Thank you dude. Wile Coyote

I checked out the Habana Store near the San Pedro Mall and it was closed on Saturday afternoon, but they let me in and I purchased a Monte Cristo. It looks like it is set up to be a cigar shop with cafe or smoking room, but the location does not serve it well, although it looks like they move a lot of product.

I will be there tomorrow afternoon (14th). Hopefully they are open. If not I will go the shops in the gulch. Wile Coyote

On the oft hand chance that anyone is looking for a Cigar Bar and Factory in Tamarindo, try the Tamarindo Beach Cigar Bar and Tambor Cigar factory. It is right next to Carolina's Restaurant. Perfect place for an after dinner smoke with a glass of Bourbon.