So 10 day in the Dominican Republic, brief review for the next cigar traveler. Learn to SPEAK SPANISH. Santo Domingo was the starting point. Rent a car if you don't plan to drink and have GREAT patience. I book on line with Expedia only to find my $450.00 rental would be $900.00 with mandatory insurance. Just out side the terminals I found plenty of rentals for $550.00 you must haggle.
Driving in the city is crazy cross streets no stop/yield signs. Taxies are all seasoned smash up derby drivers and the buss all have push bar all the way around them. Once out side the city its not bad driving.
First stop Renaissance Jaguar casino hotel. Nice place great staff, than off to Arturo Fuente Lounge, great place to relax and smoke. Cigar price are market price and 10%. Roman is the manager he runs a tight ship, only speaks Spanish great host. Pics Below.
We ventured off to some other cigar lounge in Santo Domingo, Stay clear of anything in the Colonial Zone, cigar Beetles in one shop, and price is 100% mark up across the boarded in the area.
Out side of that not bad, Cabinet Tobacco & Boutique has the best selection (pic below) of all the DR. Cigar world nice little shop and hills is a nice little martinis lounge for a smoke.
We headed of to Sosua for one night, nice country drive. Stopped of at the Fuente compound and its closed for tours.
Day 5 Santiago. I tried to book a 4 hour class at La Aurora on line, however they only teach the short overview for large tour groups. You can have a tour of the factory $20. Davidoff sorry NO again just for two guys. BUT wait, when you hang out in cigar lounges around town you can run into some very help full people.
From left to right, Christian (CR cigars DR only) myself, Diaz Jr, not sure and my good friend and travel buddy for the trip Chris Marsden.
Notice the name DIAZ, as in Master Blender for Davidoff cigars son. Yup they own House Blend cigar lounge Santiago. Great place for a smoke, and a phone call later we were booked for private tour of Davidoff cigar factory. I would also recommend Las 3 Reinas Cigar Shop and don't pass up eating and smoking at SAGA restaurant and cigar lounge.
Driving in the city is crazy cross streets no stop/yield signs. Taxies are all seasoned smash up derby drivers and the buss all have push bar all the way around them. Once out side the city its not bad driving.
First stop Renaissance Jaguar casino hotel. Nice place great staff, than off to Arturo Fuente Lounge, great place to relax and smoke. Cigar price are market price and 10%. Roman is the manager he runs a tight ship, only speaks Spanish great host. Pics Below.
We ventured off to some other cigar lounge in Santo Domingo, Stay clear of anything in the Colonial Zone, cigar Beetles in one shop, and price is 100% mark up across the boarded in the area.
Out side of that not bad, Cabinet Tobacco & Boutique has the best selection (pic below) of all the DR. Cigar world nice little shop and hills is a nice little martinis lounge for a smoke.
We headed of to Sosua for one night, nice country drive. Stopped of at the Fuente compound and its closed for tours.
Day 5 Santiago. I tried to book a 4 hour class at La Aurora on line, however they only teach the short overview for large tour groups. You can have a tour of the factory $20. Davidoff sorry NO again just for two guys. BUT wait, when you hang out in cigar lounges around town you can run into some very help full people.
From left to right, Christian (CR cigars DR only) myself, Diaz Jr, not sure and my good friend and travel buddy for the trip Chris Marsden.
Notice the name DIAZ, as in Master Blender for Davidoff cigars son. Yup they own House Blend cigar lounge Santiago. Great place for a smoke, and a phone call later we were booked for private tour of Davidoff cigar factory. I would also recommend Las 3 Reinas Cigar Shop and don't pass up eating and smoking at SAGA restaurant and cigar lounge.
