Where in La Paz can Cuban Cigars be purchased?

La Perla de La Paz variety store is probably the best place in La Paz to buy Cuban puros. Usually they have a modest selection of Cohibas, Montecristos, and sometimes Hoyo de Monterreys. Prices are good but there is no humidor so freshness is often dependent on getting there soon after a shipment arrives usually on Tuesdays (or ask the clerk--better know your Spanish!).

La Perla de La Paz is located near the malecon and the La Perla Hotel. Any taxi driver can take you or you can easily walk to it by turning into town (away from bay) from the malecon on the street just south of La Perla Hotel. You can easily recognize the hotel by noticing the open air La Terrazza restaurant below it.

If you want to drive to Cabo San Lucas you can find many places where Cuban cigars are sold including the airport at Los Cabos. We recommend Pazzos located on the street behind Squid Roe in downtown Cabo. They have a walk-in humidor (so far the only one I have found south of Tijuana at Casa de Habana) and a better selection than La Perla. But they are just as expensive as Tijuana: $22 plus for a Montecristo #2 figuarado (pictured above to the right) or any of the better Cubans.

Note of caution: Counterfeit Cuban puros are at an all time high right now and it is almost impossible to detect the real thing from the fakes (however, Montecristo #2s come to a pencil point cap rather than a rounded cap and Cohibas have a wrapper which sports genetic greenish spots throughout). This warning extends to the Mexican cigar shops that are not specifically affiliated with CubaTabaco. In Mexico, this affiliation is limited to La Casa de Habanos in Tijuana and Mexico City and (I think) the Sanborn chain (I think there is one in Tijuana). Look for the appropriate display of paperwork at the shop (though this too can be counterfeited). I have no informaiton on the authenticity of Cuban puros at places like La Perla de La Paz and Pazzos. Rule of thumb: if it smokes good and tastes excellent it may be authentic. Good luck and remember that it is illegal to carry Cuban products into the United States, so enjoy your smokes in Mexico or risk confiscation!

Tequila specialty shops are located all over, but we found several excellent shops in Cabo San Lucas near Squid Roe (Tequila y Tequila & Pazzos), and one very good shop at the Los Cabo airport. However, their fantastic selection was dampened slightly by their high prices. If your brand is a popular one you may be able to find it at a supermarket in La Paz. Try the C.C.C. supermarket at the south end of town past the end of the malecon.

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