Cubans in Mexico City

[dsawahoo1]

I'm going on my firta business trip to Mexico City and I have some questions

1. should I get pesos to pay for them or use US cash, I don't want to use my credit card (fear of gov't reprisal), or is it OK to a cc?
2. Does the Maria Isabel Sheraton Hotel sell real Cubans? - that's where I am staying
3. Are there any La Casa del Habana's near the airport, or any other reputable cigar sellers near the airpot i.e. walking distance?
4. Can I smoke in Mexican Hotels?

Thank you,
DSA

[Snake Hips]

I can't answer about the hotels, but I can say it's probably a good idea to use pesos. As for La Casa del Habano, check here to see if there's one where you're going.

[Slick26]

I can't imagine the US gov't has the time or resources to give you a hard time for using your American credit card to buy something that isn't illegal in another country...
However I do see it beneficial to play it safe anyway. I agree with using local currency, or at least American hard cash.

[Frinkiac7]

Are you kidding? Is the government poring over your banking receipts and cross-checking every little "MEXICO CITY MX CASA DEL HAB" line on your bill? Well, maybe.

Are they going to do anything about it? No.

Do they have the resources to do anything about it, even if they hypothetically were looking at your credit card bill? No way.

At most, it's going to show up as a credit card charge at some shop in Mexico.

Granted, I've never used cards when buying cigars overseas, but that's because I always carry cash. I say you'll be just fine using a credit card if that's what you want, and assuming the place takes them.

[CaptainJeebes]

i used a credit card to buy mine once...no problems at all

[Slick26]

I say you should do just to spite them. Then keep your receipts and send them in to the IRS with a nice little friendly note telling of your distain for their failed policies.

[karmaz00]

good luck...happy shopping

[JohnLongIsland]

Originally Posted by Slick26

I say you should do just to spite them. Then keep your receipts and send them in to the IRS with a nice little friendly note telling of your distain for their failed policies.

The only one you'd be spiting is yourself. From here on in, any flight you travel (domestic or international) you and your immediate family will get searched.

[SMOKE20]

Enoy your trip, Hopefully you come back with some nice goodies

[Cypress]

Give me a shout. I have been to Mexico City 3 times in the last three months. I did business in Polanco.

[Frinkiac7]

Ah, how I do love those trips to nice, warm Latin American countries. The obligatory run to the local Casa del Habano is always the highlight of any trip, for me!

Whatever you decide to do, have fun and make sure you don't skimp on your purchases. You'll thank yourself the first warm night back home when you fire up a quality stick on your porch.

[Cypress]

Originally Posted by dsawahoo1

I'm going on my firta business trip to Mexico City and I have some questions

1. should I get pesos to pay for them or use US cash, I don't want to use my credit card (fear of gov't reprisal), or is it OK to a cc?
2. Does the Maria Isabel Sheraton Hotel sell real Cubans? - that's where I am staying
3. Are there any La Casa del Habana's near the airport, or any other reputable cigar sellers near the airpot i.e. walking distance?
4. Can I smoke in Mexican Hotels?

Thank you,
DSA

1. Use cc as you get a better exchange rate. If you change to pesos then change back to dollars with left over change you pay for the exchange twice.

2. If they do sell real Cubans expect to pay a pretty price. I stayed at the Marriott down the street on Reforma and Adres Bello and they were outrageous. I could get them cheaper in the states.

3. If you find something near the airport or near a tourist attraction expect to pay high prices or them being counterfit.

4. No. You can only smoke outside or on balcony. They have a smoking ban indoors i believe. The hotels and restaurants i went to did not allow smoking and they were all walking distance from the hotel.

[Frinkiac7]

Originally Posted by Cypress

1. Use cc as you get a better exchange rate. If you change to pesos then change back to dollars with left over change you pay for the exchange twice.

2. If they do sell real Cubans expect to pay a pretty price. I stayed at the Marriott down the street on Reforma and Adres Bello and they were outrageous. I could get them cheaper in the states.

I'd agree with both of these, especially number two. C del Hab are really just fancy B&Ms that cater to rich locals and tourists with money. Their prices aren't highway robbery, but you're not going to find any "great deals" in their either, especially if you're purchasing single sticks. That's if you go to a genuine Casa del Hab. But at least you're 100% sure you're getting the official product, they're well maintained, and the staff are generally knowledgeable and friendly. They never met an American cigar smoker they didn't like...

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by Slick26

I can't imagine the US gov't has the time or resources to give you a hard time for using your American credit card to buy something that isn't illegal in another country...
However I do see it beneficial to play it safe anyway. I agree with using local currency, or at least American hard cash.

It isn't illegal in Mexico, but it's still illegal for Americans.

Originally Posted by Frinkiac7

Are you kidding? Is the government poring over your banking receipts and cross-checking every little "MEXICO CITY MX CASA DEL HAB" line on your bill? Well, maybe.

Are they going to do anything about it? No.

Do they have the resources to do anything about it, even if they hypothetically were looking at your credit card bill? No way.

At most, it's going to show up as a credit card charge at some shop in Mexico.

Granted, I've never used cards when buying cigars overseas, but that's because I always carry cash. I say you'll be just fine using a credit card if that's what you want, and assuming the place takes them.

Most people caught for buying Cuban cigars are caught by credit card records. So yes, they do waste the time and resources to pore over your records. But that's not why I suggested using pesos; you aren't going to get caught by using your card in cigar shop. I suggested it because often they charge you international transaction fees for every use of the card, so it's often wise to get cash out of an ATM to minimize the number of charges you get.

[FunkyCold5]

If you are going to buy ISOMs in Mexico.

1. They will probably be expensive.
2. There are TONS of fake ones out there, so if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

CC, US Dollars, or Pesos, up to you.

Good luck.