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Try looking for reputable store on the internet. You should be able to find a reputable company stores that sells cubans down there. I do not know from experience, but have heard that. If you do this, go to CA and look at their links on how to recognize counterfeit cubans. If need be, print off pictures of the counterfeits to take with you.

Puff,

Send me an email at kyhuntsman atyahoodotcom.
Matt

Yes, there is a LCDH in Puerto Vallarta. It is located on Aldama street in the Centro district. I was there in January. There is the main road that runs along the beach and past the tourist hotels. It goes into the Centro district. The LCDH is about 1 and 1/2 blocks up Aldama on the right side. When I was there, the selection was not great. All the bigger sticks seemed to be missing. I did well with the robusto and corona gorda sizes though. At least the staff is helpful. Be prepared to pay big bucks for the stick. The smoking room downstairs is great.

Anywhere else you see Cuban cigars, they are counterfeit. Not almost everywhere, EVERYWHERE. I saw not so good fakes and some really well done fakes. I also do not trust any cigar with a Cohiba band, even at the LCDH.

Eat at the Blue Shrimp. Get the tequila shrimp. They are great. Drink lots of Pacifico.

J

take pepto bismal with you and use it regularly.

Puff... As Rick said take the "pink stuff", a "slug" each morning. If you eat and drink at the Hotels and bigger restaurants you won't have too much to worry about, but better safe than "sorry meester".

Haven't been to PV but if it is anything like Mazatlan then every store and shop will have a sign "Cuban Cigars". Be vewy, vewy afwaid. You would be better off going to a "reputable" internet site and buying a box of cubans there. As some said even at the "habano house" it will costs $15 to $40 per stick for "cubans". The cigars I mean.

Also, an interesting fact was that the last time we were down there, September, almost all the beach sellers were hustling POT. I have been there 8 times now and had never had any mention of this but the last time it was like "Hey Senor, you need some smoke? I got the good stuff." Or the guys with the jewelry would come up and point to a bracelet or ring with a pot leaf emblem on it and say "You want it, I got it".
Just a "smoking fact".

Anyway have a great time down there and try the sail fishing if you get a chance. A real experience.

Various corn doritos, amigo...69

Been there done that may times. The only time I had true gastrointestinal problems was from a breakfast I had on Mexicana Airlines out of Mexico City enroute to Costa Rica. That lasted a month. There is no way pepto bismol can prevent an ameobic infestation from bad water or poorly handled food.

Drink bottled cokes/beer/frescas/horchata. They almost always serve bottled drinks at the restuarants. Eat at all the little places you can find. You chances of getting sick from food are no worse there than at Taco Bell. Your only enemy is tap water. Avoid paying the huge tourist bucks to the frigging cruise ship oriented restuarants and bars.

Every place I have been (In latin america) that has a tourist strip, you go a couple blocks away from the beach, and you get the real world. Lunch goes from $7-$15 to $2 to $5 or even cheaper if you go to a bar that serves bebidas (little food dishes).

I suggest you bring your own sticks. If you manage to find a shop that: 1.)Has real Cubans 2.)Sells tham at a reasonable price 3.) Has kept the cigars in good shape Then go ahead and have fun.

I wouldn't pay $20 for a stick here , there or anywhere. It could be an ISOM rolled in front of Castro himself and it wouldn't be worth $20. But there sure seems to be a lot of them at the tourist traps...and people willing to buy them. I bought a few Cuban cigars at a reputible place in Mazatlan and didn't pay more than $10 per stick for any of them. They were real and good. But I really took a risk.