We had a quick cigar trip to the baja in Mexico planned and then we heard that in early 2026 Mexico banned all smoking in Mexico in all public places(?). Although it was probably not going to be immediately and strictly enforced in tourist areas, we did not want to go to a place that did not want us. Who wants to worry about being harassed or getting a ticket when on vacationing and trying to enjoy a good cigar.
One of the guys in the group, had a place in the Dominican Republic and invited us to stay at his place instead of Mexico. A quick change of plans and we were off the Dominican Republic, a place I have never been and because it was a long place ride from Western Canada, thought I may never go.
Upon landing in Puerto Plata my immediate sense was that this was a nicer Cuba. It reminded me of when I first went to Veradero in the early 2000’s. Roads were paved but in rough shape. There were very few new vehicles and many small motorcycles. The weather was also very similar, humid and warm, which made sense because it was the Caribbean.
What I immediately noticed is that there were no “no smoking” signs in the airport. Once outside the POP airport, the vegetation was beautiful and lush. Green grass and plants everywhere. Street signs and lines were suggestions for the locals and the traffic was buzzing.
To my shock and delight you could get great Dominican cigars everywhere, I mean everywhere. Gas stations, corner stores, grocery stores and even the beach would all have a humidor cabinet with a great selection of Dominican cigars. La Arora was a popular brand in the area we went to but you could find all kinds of Dominican, Honduran and even Cuban cigars. Prices were good but it was really the selection and quality that was surprising. I was like a kid in a candy store. Everywhere I went I would buy 3 or 4 quality cigars. The cigars were all in great shape and they would range from 400 ($10CND) to 1,500 ($28 CND) DR pesos.
What was even better is that you could smoke cigars all most everywhere. Restaurants would supply ashtrays and no one would give you that side eye of displeasure when you would spark up a great Dominican cigar. It felt like smoking a cigar was encourage and very few if any people smoked cigarettes. My friend told me cigarettes are frowned upon in the Dominican but vape is becoming more popular. As with Cuba, I did not see many locals smoking cigars but I have had more trouble finding a cigar friendly place to smoke a cigar I Cuba then I did in the Dominican Republic. We went to a few cigar lounges and they had great selections of cigars but many leaned towards their house brand or local cigars they were highlighting.
Did I mention that everywhere we went also had a great selection of Dominican rum. My favorite was Bueglas (?) but they were all good.
Going to a Dominican cigar lounge and having a rum tasting is not to be missed. One of the cigar lounges that was visited was, Crème (?) it was not too big, comfortable leather chairs and couches, a nice walk-in humidor with a good selection of Dominican cigars and rum. A tasting of four rums and a cigar with tax and tip was about 1500 DR pesos or about $35 cnd. I would suggest bringing enough Dominican pesos because some of the smaller stores or restaurants do not take credit cards and the atm charges can be pretty high.
I have traveled enough to know that the Dominican Republic is the most cigar friendly place in the world right now and things are only getting better. The food was great and reasonably priced. We felt safe wherever we went and spoke to many ex-pat older men and women on their own that lived in the DR. They seemed happy and healthy and had no complaints.
We did not go visit the cigar factories but I am definitely going back to do some tours in the near future.
