Dominican Bound

[Kass]

Thanks! The people at the hotel should know about factory tours right?

[hex1848]

Thanks! The people at the hotel should know about factory tours right?

Well most of the cigar factories are actually in and around the Santiago region. It's a 2 hour bus ride to the North from Santo Domingo. I didn't really feel confortable renting a car and driving around for myself, mainly because traffic laws don't seem to exist down there. I just took the Metro (bus) and it didn't even cost $20.00 round trip IIRC.

Where are you staying? I stayed here in Santo Domingo: http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/SDQGW. Its one of the better hotels in the city. They have a business center with computer/internet access and some of the rooms get wireless. It’s close to the colonial district, and you have a few restaurants / bakeries within walking distance so you don’t have to pay hotel prices for food.

[Kass]

I'm staying here http://www.conquestvacations.com/hot...l.aspx?hc=LANQ
Its 45 minutes from Santo Domingo airport. I read somewhere that there are factories in La Romana, which looks much closer.

[bigpoppapuff]

there are factories in la romana...or go to santiago and see la aurora or fonseca (matasa)

[cigar no baka]

I'm staying here http://www.conquestvacations.com/hot...l.aspx?hc=LANQ
Its 45 minutes from Santo Domingo airport. I read somewhere that there are factories in La Romana, which looks much closer.

Barcelo is a well known and established Spanish-owned chain of resorts and hotels. You should have a good time, good luck!!!

[Kass]

Yeah I'm pretty excited. I haven't been anywhere tropical in quite some time, its usually trips out west to go snowboarding.

[hex1848]

I took this in Boca Chica which is about a half hour East from the Santo Domingo airport.

(Don't buy the Glass Top Cohibas)

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar...47,147,00.html

Despite the draw of the sea and golf, Tabacalera de Garcia is the only cigar factory in La Romana -- nearly all of the other ones in the Dominican Republic are clustered in and around Santiago, a manufacturing city well to the west. No commercial flights connect the two towns, just a traffic-laden, often dangerous road and a four-hour drive. In the cigar world, La Romana is isolated, and that benefited Seijas during the cigar boom; while his counterparts in Santiago were losing cigar rollers to newcomers, Seijas's workers stayed put.

http://www.epinions.com/content_2508103812

In La Romana, Altadis produces a huge line-up of premium brands: Bock, Cabañas, Don Diego, Flamencos Las Palmas, H. Upmann, Montecristo, Menendez y Garcia, Por Larrañga, and Romeo y Julieta.

I'd say its worth the trip . But try to find contact information and schedule a visit ahead of time.

[Kass]

Thanks for the links.
What is the deal with the glass top cohibas??