Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to spend seven unforgettable nights in Cuba with Surrey Cigars. This post is all about the cigar shops and sampling lounges we visited during our time in Havana Cuba. Including what I purchased and brought back…
If you missed the earlier posts, catch up here:
Part 1 – Before the trip
Part 2 – Getting there and first impressions
Part 3 – Visiting the Alejandro Robaina Tobacco Plantation
Part 4 – Visiting the Hector Luis Prieto Tobacco Plantation
Part 5 – The Cigar Factories
The plan
Whenever I dreamed about going to Cuba, I always pictured myself visiting loads of cigar shops and coming back with boxes of Cuban cigars—up to 50, the legal limit for personal import into the UK, according to GOV.UK. I imagined carrying home boxes of Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills, Quai d’Orsay No. 54s, H. Upmann No. 54s, Partagás Serie E No. 2s, and maybe even a few Trinidad Topes 😍.
The reality
What I actually brought back turned out to be something quite different! 😳
Most of my haul consisted of custom-rolled cigars from the Alejandro Robaina Tobacco Plantation, with standouts like The Godfather and the 60-ring gauge cigars from Héctor Luis Prieto Tobacco Plantation. These were easily the best value for money (approx $15 a stick) during my visit, and I have no complaints—they’re fantastic smokes. In addition to those, I picked up a few singles—some to enjoy during the trip and some to bring back home including my first Cohiba Lancero.
This wasn’t what I anticipated though; it seems the days of having tons of boxes and a wide choice of Cuban cigars are gone.
We arrived in Cuba just two weeks after the Habanos Festival, so we expected some shops to be running low. And yeah, a lot of places were definitely short on stock—most surprisingly, the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, which literally had no cigars available at all. I later saw that Cigar Aficionado had posted about the same thing ‘Shopping For Cigars In Havana: 2025 Update‘, so I wasn’t alone in my surprise.
I’d also heard (unconfirmed, word of mouth stuff) that the Chinese market tends to snap up a huge chunk of the available cigars as soon as they’re ready to ship—which might explain the low stock levels 😔. I don’t blame them though – cigars are 🔥!
Another surprise: cigars in Cuba aren’t that much cheaper than in the UK. In fact, most of the cigars available were high-end premium lines—mainly Cohibas. Someone messaged me after seeing my posts on social media, saying that the price difference between Cuba and the UK is about 33% less. While this sounds high, it honestly feels about right.
That said, individual sticks of lesser-known Cuban brands were much better value—more in line with what you’d pay in Europe (outside of London).
One thing that really stood out to me: you have to be careful where you’re buying cigars in Cuba. Tons of people will try to sell you “authentic” Cubans, and let’s just say… not all of them are legit. It made me appreciate the UK’s EMS system a bit more—you know you’re getting the real thing. So when in Cuba, it’s smart to stick to La Casa del Habano (LCDH) shops for peace of mind.
We visited a lot of places—I honestly couldn’t keep track of all of them, which ain’t a bad problem to have 😃. But here’s a rundown of where we went, what I saw, what I bought, and some thoughts on each spot…
- Iberostar Selection Parque Central – Cigar Shop & Cigar Bar
- Romeo y Julieta Cigar Factory Shop
- La Casa del Habano – Hotel Nacional
- Casa Del Habano La Triada at Ron Tabaco Cafe
- El Faro – Tienda Especializada de Habanos
- Barcelo Solymar, Varadero – Cigar shop
- La Casa del Habano Partagás
- Cohiba Atmosphere – Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski
- José Martí International Airport – Duty-Free Cigars
Iberostar Selection Parque Central – Cigar Shop & Cigar Bar
📍 267 Agramonte, Havana, Cuba
📍 View on Google Maps
🌐 Website
📸 Instagram
I mentioned this in a previous post, but this was our go-to cigar shop, bar, and lounge—located right inside the Iberostar Selection Parque Central hotel. The cigar shop sits just next door to the bar and lounge. It’s open during the day, while the bar and lounge stays open late into the evening, making it a perfect spot to unwind.
That said, I’d really only recommend visiting if you’re staying at the hotel.
There’s also a selection of cigars available for purchase in a large wooden humidor located right in front of the hotel elevators.
I picked up a Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill from the shop, which I later smoked in our classic cars on the way to the cigar factories.
Romeo Y Julieta Cigar Factory Shop
📍 4JHJ+G69, Benjumeda, La Habana, Cuba
📍 View on Google Maps
This cigar shop is connected to the H. Upmann and Romeo y Julieta factory, and the section open to the public appears to be branded as the Romeo y Julieta shop. It’s typically open on weekdays from around 9 a.m. to 1 or 2 p.m. While it has the look and feel of a La Casa del Habano, it’s not currently listed on the official Casa del Habano website—but it is in the process of being converted into a full-fledged Casa del Habano location.
Originally intended as a temporary home for H. Upmann during renovations at their 23rd Street store, this site has now housed them for over a decade, with no signs of a return to the original location anytime soon.
They offer a solid selection of cigars, mostly available as single sticks. I picked up an H. Upmann Sir Winston cigar here, which I later enjoyed at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. They accepted my VISA card as payment 🙌.
La Casa del Habano – Hotel Nacional
📍 Hotel Nacional de Cuba, Calle 21 y O, Vedado, Plaza, La Habana, 10400, Cuba
📍 View on Google Maps
🌐 Website
📸 Instagram
✉️ Email: info@hotelnacionaldecuba.com
The Hotel Nacional de Cuba is the country’s most iconic hotel—a truly grand and historic setting. However, during our visit, the cigar selection at the La Casa del Habano inside the hotel was surprisingly sparse. Even Cigar Aficionado commented on the noticeable drop in stock. While enjoying a cigar on the terrace out back is a simple pleasure, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend visiting if your only goal is to buy cigars. However, if you want to experience the iconic building, it’s worth the trip. We were there just two weeks after the Habanos Festival, but it felt like more than just post-festival demand was to blame for the empty shelves.
I’ve come across mentions of an additional cigar lounge online, but I’m not quite sure where it’s located or how to navigate to it within the hotel. Am guessing that’s for hotel guests.
Sadly I didn’t end up buying any cigars here 😔, though they did have some custom rolls available near the exit of the shop. I already had a few from the tobacco farms, so I decided to pass.
Casa Del Habano La Triada at Ron Tabaco Cafe
📍 4MX2+827, La Habana, Cuba
📍 View on Google Maps
📸 Instagram
This place is famous for housing the world’s longest cigar, rolled by the legendary José Castelar. It’s situated just across from El Morro Castle. There is a great selection of cigars here as single sticks. I picked up a Cohiba Lancero (which was pricey, but still cheaper than UK prices), and they also carry a variety of lesser-known Cuban brands – I grabbed a Diplomaticos No.2. I haven’t smoked the Cohiba Lancero yet, though; I’m saving it for a special occasion.
During our visit we caught a live demonstration from José, who, despite being blind now, was still rolling an enormous cigar. If you head a couple of doors down, you can see the world’s longest rolled cigar – a title José has won several times.
They also have a cigar lounge, but it wasn’t open when we visited. Just a heads-up: it’s worth checking out reviews online before you go, as the place doesn’t have the best overall feedback.
Footage from the experience:
El Faro – La Habana
📍 5J2V+378, Túnel de La Habana, La Habana, Cuba
📍 View on Google Maps
📞 +53 7 7937729
✉️ Email: elfarohabanos@gmail.com
📸 Instagram
📘 Facebook
Pretty sure this was my first time ever visiting a cigar shop inside a fort! 😮
It felt more like a bar than a traditional cigar lounge. When we arrived, they welcomed us with coffee, an incredible rum (which I ended up buying a bottle of), and a Trinidad Reyes cigar to enjoy as a pairing.
I grabbed a seat near the bar and instantly felt at ease—maybe even had my most enjoyable cigar experience right there. I’m not sure what exactly made it so relaxing, but the Trinidad Reyes was a fantastic smoke. I don’t usually go for smaller ring gauges, but this one really hit the spot. The combination of coffee and that smooth rum probably played a big part – prob one of the best pairings with a cigar I’ve ever had.
I didn’t purchase any cigars beyond the initial offer, which was $20.
That said, definitely check out some online reviews before going—there are a few mixed opinions floating around.
Barcelo Solymar, Varadero – Cigar shop
📍 Barceló Solymar, Carretera Las Américas, Km.3, Varadero, Matanzas, Cuba
📍 Google Maps
🌐 Hotel Website
We spent a day of our trip exploring Varadero, a day pass at an all inclusive hotel resort – and it genuinely felt like we’d stepped into the heart of the Caribbean. The beaches were breathtakingly beautiful!
The hotel had a cigar shop with a modest selection of cigars. Staff did not seem to be cigar specialists at all. They didn’t allow us to browse the selection in the humidor, so I had to keep asking for their assistance in picking out cigars and specifying what they had and their prices. Eventually, I found some Diplomaticos Leal cigars—the Cuban regional variety—priced at $20 each. Couldn’t believe it! I decided to buy a couple of these, especially since I had previously paid £55 for one at Birley Cigars in London. They were a decent smoke but I wasnt as mesmerised like I was with the ones I sampled in London.
I’m not sure what other cigar shops are in Varadero, but I wouldn’t recommend making a special trip to visit this one. It’s useful if you’re staying at a hotel nearby or if you have a day pass. The beaches were wonderful, but the food was a bit disappointing.
La Casa del Habano Partagás
📍 1 Bernaza, La Habana 10100, Cuba
📍 Google Maps
📸 Instagram
This was hands down my favorite cigar shop! It’s right next to El Floridita and absolutely a must-visit if you’re on a cigar tour in Havana. The selection was decent—although not all shelves were fully stocked (you can’t see it in the photos, but the left side was pretty bare). Still, they had boxes of premium Cuban cigars like Cohibas and Trinidads available for purchase.
During my visit to the Partagás shop, I had the pleasure of meeting René Valdes Miller, the director himself 🙏🇨🇺.
I’d actually seen him in a Kirby Allison video where he was interviewed, so it was surreal to meet him in person.
We also got to meet the legendary Leopoldina Gutiérrez Espinosa, known in the cigar world as “La China” one of the most iconic Cuban torcedoras.
The shop has a chill lounge area downstairs with a bar where you can grab a drink…
and there’s more space upstairs too…
I picked up a Trinidad Esmeralda cigar, which I’d heard a lot about—it definitely lived up to the hype.
I also enjoyed a Partagás Serie E No. 2.
Tried to score a fresh roll from La China, but no luck this time!
Footage from the experience:
Cohiba Atmosphere – Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski
📍 4JQR+8WH, Shopping mall behind Hotel Manzana, La Habana, Cuba
📍 Google Maps
📸 Instagram
This was my second favorite cigar shop/lounge of the trip, and my first time stepping into a Cohiba Atmosphere lounge—such a cool experience. I didn’t even realize at the time that it’s connected to the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski upstairs, a five-star luxury spot.
While I probably should’ve tried a Cohiba, I went with a Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas cigar instead. At the time, it felt cheaper than UK at $35.
It was also the perfect spot to kick back and relax as a group—plenty of comfy seating made it easy for all of us to hang out together.
Footage from the experience:
José Martí International Airport – Duty-Free Cigars
José Martí International Airport, XHXV+326, La Habana, Cuba
📍 View on Google Maps
🌐 Website
Surprisingly a good selection of boxes here—definitely better than a lot of other spots we’d been to. Mostly on the premium end though. I spotted boxes of Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills, which I would’ve loved to grab, but I was already at my limit. Definitely a good place for any last-minute pickups… though probably risky to wait until the end of your trip in case stock runs low.
I was a bit thrown when they recommended a “swap out” for one of my purchases—the replacement sticks had some plume on them. Some say that’s totally fine… still not sure if that was a good call or not 😬
And that’s a wrap on the cigar shop stops! I hope this is helpful and of some use.
I might do another post from My Cigar Adventure to Cuba covering some of the spots we ate at and a few final thoughts on the trip—so stay tuned!
Next up: Places to eat, The Blackout & Final Thoughts about Cuba
Leave a Reply