Fábrica de Tabacos Constantino Pérez Carrodegua
Santa Clara boasts a significant tobacco factory. Producing
high-quality tobacco products rivaling many famous brands,
the factory takes its name from Constantino Pérez Carrodegua,
a Spanish citizen who participated in numerous stints within
the Cuban Communist Party and fought against the bloody
Batista regime. A carpenter by trade, Constantino Pérez
engaged in a wide range of covert activities, particularly
after Fulgencio Batista established his dictatorship in Cuba
through a military coup in 1952. On December 31, 1956, he
was stopped by the Military Intelligence Service on his way
home, taken by car outside Santa Clara, and killed in a
region known as Seibabo.
In this renowned, iconic cigar factory, visitors can witness
the entire cigar-making process, from selecting leaves to
rolling, pressing, and packaging. The factory, where Cuban
cigars are hand-made, continues to produce a variety of
cigars, including Montecristo, Partagás, and Romeo y Julieta.
The factory is only accessible through a guided tour. The
visitors can purchase tickets in advance at the Oficina de
Turismo (Tourist Office) or at the nearby hotels, such as
Hotel Santa Clara Libre.
The small factory allows for a leisurely stroll and detailed
information from the guide about all the stages of cigar
production. The tour lasts approximately 40 minutes.
Photography or video recording is not permitted inside.
The factory entrance is adorned with photographs of Che
Guevara and Constantino Pérez Carrodegua, along with
numerous quotes and tributes to the Revolution. A wooden
plaque commemorating Che's visit to the factory in 1963 is
screwed to the wall. Before entering the work area, a small
corner featuring the various cigar brands they produce,
catches the eye.
The work area is jam-packed with employees and their desks.
Your guide will provide you with information about all the
tools used.
Across the street is La Veguita, the factory's small but
comprehensive retail outlet. Here, you can get highly
professional information about cigars, buy cheap rum, and
brew delicious coffee at the bar.
