Travelling to Mexico- bring cigars or buy them there?

[hiplainsdrifter]

What's it like trying to go through airport security and customs with a handful of stogies? Would I be better off to buy some down there? I have heard that they like to push counterfeit Cubans on unsuspecting tourists.

 

[jon11]

Bring them!! I wouldn't buy any cigars there.

 

[rickpal14]

I buy my cigars only at the LCDH shops I when I am in Mexico. (La Casa del Habanos). These are the Cuban run cigar distributors. I would also bring a couple with you to last until you got the the shops.

 

[iamn8]

Yeah certainly bring your own. Smoke them there to make room for smuggling me back a box of Partagas series d no4's and monticristo no 2. Now, be a good mule and get to work.

 

[patiobum]

Upon return to the USA and enter our customs, make sure that your domestic / non-cuban cigars have a band to show that they are non-cuban. Should be no problem. Also, make sure your pipe tobaccy is in a tin with a label not just a baggie.
We cruise every year and I pack my own cigars, never volunteer but will politetly answer all questions.
And.....yes I have brought back boxes of cigars from La Casa del Habanos and never had a problem.

 

[condorlover1]

Hopefully the trade embargo with Cuba will be over very soon. Perhaps its time to open a casino again!

 

[tarheel1]

Hey i want some romeo y juliet churchills or bolivar corona giganticas.

 

[condorlover1]

You know they just don't taste like they used too!

 

[tarheel1]

@condorlover. That is tru, but still pretty good and taste different from all other countries. I like a mix of all as each country has great cigars as well as some not so great.

 

[hiplainsdrifter]

Ok, so I am bringing a few cigars and a Bic lighter. Sounds like cigar cutters are likely to be a problem. How do you guys get around that? Cut your cigars before you go? Buy one when you get there? Just eat your cigar like Tuco? I am thinking of just a freezer Ziplock for cigar container.

 

[hiplainsdrifter]

So, is cutting a cigar days before smoking a bad idea?

 

[papipeguy]

If you have a travel humidor then cutting them beforehand should not be an issue. I would just toss a cutter in the humidor with the cigars. I always travel with my X-treme humidor. Sturdy ABS will protect your cigars very well.

 

[dottiewarden]

If I were you I would PM dottiwarten as he lives in Mexico.

As a long time resident of Mexico, I've had the privilege of really getting to know this country. If it's Cuban cigars you're after soon they'll be legal in the States so no need to risk buying counterfeits. On the other hand, top quality Mexican cigars can be had at very reasonable prices. I think Mexico has just done a poor job at international marketing of their cigars, because they are very tasty in their own right. Forget what you've heard, give a good hand rolled Mexican cigar a try. In fact PM me with your itinerary and I'll see if I can hook you up with some really delicious cigars. I'm located in Mexico City FYI.

 

[easterntraveler]

Buy them. Last time I was in Mexico their was a guy rolling cigars at my resort. Not only was it cool but it was the best cigar I have ever had. Life is about experiencing it. So go and experience it.

 

[cobguy]

A couple of names to watch for are Santa Clara and Aromas de San Andres.
The Maduro wrappers from the San Andres area are really good and come from Cuban seed.

 

[tanless1]

Ive heard some of those counterfeits are quite amazing , and worth a try. Just dont dig to deep in your pocket. Appreciate the story, the workmanship of the fake label... and possibly an amazing tasty suprise.

 

[fnord]

HPD:
Are you looking at bringing back some Cubans or finding decent smokes while you're in Mexico? If it's the latter, what's wrong with the native Te-Amos? When I smoked stogies they were a favorite: I preferred the oily, Maduro Toros and Robustos.
Fnord

 

[mso489]

patiobum, good idea about tinned rather than bulk pipe tobacco. It would never have occurred to me, but it

makes perfect sense by way of validating what you have. I hope the opening of Cuba will eliminate the jive

about the cigars and put them on sale at the duty free shops coming and going.