Cigar lovers never have enough little treasures in their humidors. When we travel, one of the first things we think of is “Is there a La Casa del Habano in that city?”. As a matter of fact, I can say that it is exactly the question I get asked at least once per week by fellow clients and friends. Hence the raison d’etre for this article.
Many of us travel to Holguin, the third largest province in Cuba, for their incredible beaches. On my last trip there, I visited a few shops and wanted to share the experience, with hopes that it helps travelers find some nice authentic Habanos cigars. The cities I visited included the main beach areas and small towns; Guardalavaca, Playa Pesquero, Playa Blanca Rafael Freyre, Banes, and beautiful farm town called Retrete.
La Casa del Habano in Hotel Villa Club Amigos located in the Atlantico in Guardalavaca.
This is an official franchise of La Casa del Habano, also called “El Cuje”. What makes this shop special is the manager and the walk in humidor. Odalis Laffita Castro has been passionately running the shop for over 20 years, this lady knows her cigars! There is a fair sized walk in humidor with a good selection of the regular production cigars, including the latest limited editions. If you take the time, you might get lucky and find some boxes that have a few years on them. I purchased 5 year old cigars while there.
Odalis and her team are genuine, friendly and knowledgeable. Most importantly she keeps her humidor in good condition. She is excited about the many hotel building projects that are taking place right next door to her shop. Because of the long distance from the main cigar hub in Havana, (located about 10 to 13 hours by car), she acknowledged that they do not receive a large quantity of limited edition releases, especially the Reserva and Gran Reserva boxes. She hopes that with the added tourism from the new hotel, she will have a more steady flow of some of the sought after boxes. Thank you Odalis for your time and warm hospitality!
Oh and there is a little bar and lounge in the shop. A Cuban coffee and Cuban beer on hand to keep the non cigar loving traveling partners patient as you “only take a minute”.
Cigar shop in general store, located at the Playa Costa Verde hotel, in Playa Pesquero.
There is a small shopping center located in the front of the hotel entrance. The little boutique that sells anything from rhum to tourist souvenirs has a little walk in humidor. I was surprised to find boxes of double coronas and Churchills that lately have not been seen on most shelves in Cuba. It would be wise to inspect the box before you purchase though as the shop and staff are not specialists in cigars.
Summary
Shopping for cigars in Cuba is not what it used to be. The addition of wealthy tourists on scavenger hunts has made it almost impossible to find anything aged or special… Arrgghh.
Nevertheless, we each have different tastes and budgets. What I might leave behind, another might consider a little jewel they were lucky to find.
Antonio
Leave a comment
Thanks again for your comments.
Would it be possible to provide with their e-mail ? I am planning a visit shortly in the corner and I have some request for information.
Best regards
Hello Cristian,
thank you for the message. We don’t have an email for the shop in Holguin. From experience, it’s best to go during the first day or so that you arrive, and then they will be able to help you
Antonio
Hi everyone. I was in that LCDH in Club Amigo 4 times within last three years, they let me go inside the humidor, choose couple of boxes then, before I paid, I was allowed to open them and inspect sticks. Once happened that some sticks were moldy so they exchanged the box right the way. In my opinion very professional approach to customers. The prices were always according to official price list. I gladly left them nice tips. I bought in total 500 cigars from them during my four visits.
The other store, located near Playa Costa Verde, didn’t let me onside the humidor and their prices were twice of that from official price list. I never bought any single stick from them.
Hello Andrew,
yes i agree, it is a very nice Casa. The manager there “Odalys” really knows here cigars and is friendly and good to work there.
Hope we get to go back soon! Antonio
I am going to Holguin on Dec staying at Parideso how can I get there to buy my cigars
Very good write up!
Have not been here for over 10 years and will be returning.
Sad about no aged cigars,this used to be the go too place for aged cigars unfortunately everything produced at all the factories now go to Havana and then get shipped back,.I miss the days when Altadis was running the show.
They built a nice hotel right next to it, so there might be way more traffic. Can mean they will get more selection, but it will also go faster. Cheers! Antonio
and thank you John!
Antonio hope all is well.
Just wondering now without the CUC
Are shops excepting Canadian cash ?
Or credit and peso only?
Thanks Vince
I returned 3 weeks ago, and am very sad to say selection is not good.
Covid hit us hard but much harder in Cuba..
Suggest if going to contact the shop in advance to what you want and cross your fingers they can get or have it..
Price increases are on the board especially for Cohiba
Hate to be cruel to be kind but it will take awhile for recovery in cigars.
Hey Vincenzo,
yes I heard the same thing. If they get nice boxes, they go quickly. the prices are increasing in all countries, it’s something Habanos announced last week. Let’s take joy and really enjoy the cigars we have in our humidors!
cheers
Antonio
Credit Card only, merde!
From what I understand, they take credit cards, and use a rate similar to USD. but don’t quote me as it changes often. A credit card is the safest bet.
Hi Antonio,
I recently visited your store on my trip to Cuba and I was very impressed. Unfortunately, Diana informed me that you’d just received a gigantic shipment but they wouldn’t be processed for a few days. Sadly, I was leaving the next day. Diana’s service was incredible, though, and it was a pleasure to see your store. There was a hardcover book there about cigars and Diana said you were out of the Rnglish version. It was $15 American. I’m wondering if this is something you could ship to Canada? I’d love to hear back from you! Many thanks, George. My email is gsantino@hotmail.com
Hi Antonio!
I’ve made a mistake, I thought you were the manager of the store. My mistake. I’m trying to get in contact with the store to see if they could ship me a book.
Sorry to trouble you!
Hello George, no problem. I used to manage La Casa Del Habano Montreal before it closed. I did send you an email howeever regarding the book. Be in touch!
Antonio
Hi has anyone recently purchased cigars in Cuba?? Just wondering if anyone can share their prices on cigar purchases
Since Habanos increased there prices thanks
Hello Vince, yes we have friends that have been checking out the shops in Cuba these days. The shops are generally not well stocked except for regular production cigars. Finding limited editions, or anything special is very difficult. As for prices, they have soared. Even if you get the prices, they may not include the “tips” involved in getting the boxes.
Hi
Am I allowed to visit LCDH in that resort from another resort where I will stay at? And are they open now?
yes the shop is open to anyone, it is not restricted to any resort
Is there anyway to see inventory/stock of what’s available at the LCDH Holguin online?
Thanks!!
for as long as i’ve been going to Cuba, there was never a way to get an updated inventory list. I doubt they would ever post that online as it changes by the hour.
Hi all, do you know if this LCDH in Holguin is still open?
Hello Peiran,
sa far as we know, it is still open. However, we believe the stock level is not too high. Let us know if you go!