Going to D.R.

[rock]

I am going to the Dominican Republic next week. Are there any good cigar shops down there that have legit cuban cigars?

[fred170]

I would not buy "cubans" in the Dominican Republic. More times than not, you wont be getting what you paid for. They do have La Aurora, Cohiba (RED O), and Arturo Fuente brands available there. There are also a few boutique shops which sell hand made cigars but are house brands and not the ones you commonly see.

[Maron76]

Hey Rock, my wife and I went to Punta Cana in January and loved it. We can't wait to go back. As far as getting cuban cigars in the DR, I would not advise it. As far as I know there is only one authorized dealer and he is located in Santo Domingo. If you get Cubans anywhere else it will be a crap shoot, I can pretty much guarantee they will be fake. The hotel resort's mini mart/gift shops were even selling fake Cohiba and Monticristos. They were good fakes too, I had to pick them up and really look them over. The Dominican people are very proud of their tobacco and believe it to be the best in the world. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that no one really sells Cubans there.

If you do buy Dominican cigars there and aren't paying 3x what they cost back home, they are fake. La Auroras (not in free trade zone) and cigars bought direct from a factory gift shop (in free trade zone) are the exception. Most of the manufacturers are in the free trade zone and are basically tax exempt, not having to pay duty, tariffs, export taxes or whatever it exactly is they get for locating there. So for them to sell their Dominican cigars in the Dominican they basically have to "import" them. That is, pay the fees and taxes all the other imported goods are subject to. Confused yet?!!? Because I am!! LOL .... Bottom line, bring cigars with you to enjoy because the fake cigar market is rampant there, especially in the tourist areas.

Check out the La Ramona Cigar Factory tour. There is a little cigar manufacture's storefront right in Bravaro center, with all the hotels. I enjoyed the cigars from here but the name escapes me, I will try and remember. The Don Lucas Lounge is supposed to be really great as well. He will come pick you up at your hotel and take you to his private cigar lounge to enjoy an afternoon of cigars and cognac.

[rock]

I will be going to santo dimingo, So if you could give me the name I would appreciate it.

Rock