I smoke 2 cigars a day (La Gloria Serie R # 5 or #6), so unlike many others who have posted and never had anything in their mouth other than a regulator
, I want to chime in - also been to Coz over 20 times so......
I have bought Cuban cigars in Cozumel - there is a shop near the square, close to "Casa Denis" that I have purchased from - not bad; but it was only a cigar or 2. I have forgotten more about cigars than 99% of the folks on Scubaboard, and on ocasion the cigars were pretty good, other times, they were awful - so were they "real" ? Your guess is as good as mine - who knows? If they were good, who cares? Most could not tell the difference anyway - b/c if you don't smoke cigars regularly your mouth and palate are not tuned into whats good, smooth, flavors, et al.
I sorta know what I'm doing when it comes to cigars and have had a few ocasions where I knew what they were refering to when they said Cubans were the best cigars in the world - but the majority of time they have been expensive rip offs.
Avoid the cigar shop on the main drag - their cigars suck, are expensive, and you can smell the mustiness and mold - also avoid any place w/ a small display, or a box w/ cigars for sale - you are almost sure to be ripped off.
I bring my own - Cuban's are expensive in Cuba, for goodness sake - so to expect that they are going to be a bargin in the Carribean is wishful thinking. Cuba sell through authorized agents, with a "Casa de Havana" sticker on the door of the establishment proving the providence of the cigars - to think Juan and Maritza are selling real Cubans along w/ the cheap jewelry and Mexican sombreros is again, wishful thinking.
For the majority who would not know the difference between a Dutch Master or an El Producto vs a Montecristo Number 2 or a Cohiba Explendito, its no big deal to buy a Cuban cigar or 2 and pretend you know what your smoking - the only dent is to your wallet.
Bring your own, or buy Mexican cigars - if you want to try a cuban cigar, go for it - but in all likelihood it will be fake - but who knows; you might get lucky!