[blackbart.223]

"Believe me, I'm not planning on running anywhere. The only reasons I go to Costa Rica is because they have great beaches, warm people, and God help me, I love red beans and rice (with loads of habaňero salsa and fried plantains) for breakfast, along with the world's best coffee. Followed by a nice Cuban cigar..."

You just made me hungry. As to the cigar, are the Cuban ones all that great?

[andy58-in-nh]

The best thing about Cuban cigars in Costa Rica is that they are relatively inexpensive. You have to go to a real tobacconista, though: don't ever buy the fake "Cohibas" they try to sell you on the beach - it's the same rip-off as in Mexico, only with a different currency.

There are well-stocked shops in the larger towns and cities. The quality does vary, so it helps to know something about the subject matter. Cuba is desperate for cash, so they tend to ship the "marquis" brands (like Cohiba, Montecristo, and Partagas) before the tobacco has been sufficiently aged.

I look for somewhat smaller cigars (corona, robusto, belicoso) from the smaller production facilities - Bolivar, Fonseca, Punch, Romeo Y Julieta, Hoyo de Monterrey, to name a few). Overall, the quality ranges from merely good to exquisite.