Cuban Cigars

[Michelle Luty]

Can you buy Cuban cigars in the DR? If you can how much are they in US Dollars?

 

[Ellen]

Yes, Cuban cigars ave available here. Although I am not certain of the prices I can tell you they are expensive and a lot of them are fakes. Beware and don't even think about bringing any back to the US - it isn't worth it.

Cubans cigars are a case of "forbidden fruit". Dominican cigars are of a much better quality - most are made from Cuban seed tobacco and many of the factories have Cuban managers or owners - these cigars have the quality control many Cuban cigars lack, better tobacco and a milder smoke. The prices generally are lower than Cubans, depending upon the manufacturer and the demand for the cigar.

 

[Loren]

Go to Mercado Modelo in Santo Domingo. Anyone can tell you where that is. Refuse to pay more than half whatever price they tell you. If they wont bargain, go to a different vendor, there are plenty. (It's like a giant farmers market, or flea market. (Make sure to try some "Mamajuana de Mariscos" while you are there!)

You can find the cigars at many other places as well, including the airport.

If you can find one, try the Dominican Cigar "Behique."

Anecdotally, people have told me of having Cuban cigars confiscated upon arrival, but I have heard that it has gotten worse and now they are actually prosecuting people. Smoke them while you are there.

 

[jimbo 34]

Bought alleged Cuban cigars in Margarita,Venezuela. I think they were all fakes. Badly rolled and not up to expectations. Beware there are tons of fakes all over the Carrib. Besides, a good Dominican can hold its own with any Cuban made.

 

[tony]

Is mamajuana de Mariscos SAFE?

Is Mamajuana de Mariscos safe? It has preserved seafood in it..does not look safe to me?

 

[Loren]

Re: Is mamajuana de Mariscos SAFE?

HAHAHAHAAHAHA well, I dont know if it is safe, but it sure does work!!!

It looks awfully gross, and most of my friends think it's disgusting. None of my Cuban or Puerto Rican friends will touch it (nor have they ever seen such a thing!)

It actually is very tasty if made properly. I have drank it in small amounts for quite some time, and I dont think I have suffered any ill effects. It is scary looking, though.

Its best use seems to be to gross out house guests! It is also said to be an effective aphrodisiac, tonic, and elixir for what ails you!

Keep it full of dark aged rum so the dead sea creatures dont rot. Taste it before you buy it at the market. If it is made right, you will know. Good Luck! (hahahahaha!)

 

[gio]

Re: Is mamajuana de Mariscos SAFE?

What is it? Rum with dead shellfish and what else? It sounds icky but I'm curious to know what it is.

 

[Loren]

Re: Is mamajuana de Mariscos SAFE?

Octopus parts, sea fleas, oysters, what looks like conch and some other dead sea creatures stuffed into old cheap whisky bottles, then filled with rum. There are also some twigs and leaves of some sort in there.

There is also a "vegetarian" Mamajuana with just the plant parts.

I would love to have the recipe if anyone knows how to conjure it up. (please e-mail me; I am about to go to the DR for a week!)

 

[tony]

Re: Is mamajuana de Mariscos SAFE?

I am heading to DR this Saturday 7/10. I have the "vegetarian" mamajuana which is OK however, the one with dead sea creatures tastes better.

 

[gio]

Re: Is mamajuana de Mariscos SAFE?

Normally I have a "live & let live" attitude when it comes to what other cultures want to eat. However; I would've loved to have been a fly on the wall when the psycho who created that mixture created it. Imagine his / her thought process: "I think it would be fun to take dead inedible crap from the sea and pour booze on it and drink it---Yummmmmy!!!!"