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- Destinations
- Caribbean
- Cuba
- Havana
- Cigar Factories
Cigar Factories
Even non-smokers have to agree that a visit to Cuba would not be
complete without investigating the island's most famous export,
cigars. The art of cigar-making in Cuba is old and traditional, and
three main factories in Havana offer tours for visitors to see
cigars still rolled by hand. In the oldest factory, Partagas,
founded in 1827, traditionally a reader is employed to keep workers
entertained while they fashion the famous cigars. Havana's other
cigar factories are La Corona and the lesser-visited Romeo y
Julieta. There are shops attached to the factories where cigars can
be purchased. Visitors are advised not to buy cigars from people
off the street, as these are usually rolled banana leaves fashioned
into cigar look-alikes and the sellers are persistent hustlers.
Information & Facts
Address
Partagas Factory: Calle Industria 520, Centro
Habana
Admission
Language
The official language is Spanish, but English is spoken
in the main tourist spots.
Money
The official currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP), divided into 100
centavos, but the 'tourist' currency is the Peso Convertible (CUC),
which replaces the US Dollar as currency in tourist related
establishments like hotels, restaurants and so called 'dollar
shops'. US Dollars are no longer accepted as payment, and a 10%
commission or more is charged to exchange them, therefore the best
currency to bring along is Euros, the British Pound or Canadian
Dollars. The CUC is almost equal in value to the US Dollar. Some
places only accept Cuban pesos and others only Pesos Convertible
(usually tourist related establishments). Money should only be
changed at official exchange bureaux or banks to avoid scams
confusing the two currencies. Visa and MasterCard are generally
accepted only in major cities and hotels as long as they haven't
been issued by a US bank; Diners Club has limited acceptance, and
American Express is not accepted anywhere on the island. Travellers
cheques are less readily accepted than credit cards, but all major
currencies are acceptable, except for US bank issued cheques. No
US-issued credit or debit cards will work in ATMs, but those
holding other cards issued in other countries should be able to get
pesos at most major tourist destinations. Euro or Sterling
travellers cheques are accepted at Cuban banks and Bureaux de
Change.
Opening Times
Partagas Factory tours operate Monday to Friday, from
9am to 2pm
Time
Local time is GMT -5 (GMT-4 from the second Sunday in March
to the last Sunday in October).