Punta Cana

[shadegrown]

Hi All,

I’m going to Punta Cana in Dominican Republic in January for some much needed R&R and would like to take the opportunity to add some Dominicans to the humidor but I know very little about DR cigars and nothing at all about anything local to Punta Cana.

Any advice would be much appreciated
Thanks

[PeeJay]

I've been twice and one thing you need to know is that most of their production is exported so what is offered for sale will be at US prices which is still way better than here. The island is also awash with fakes so needless to say don't buy from any of the sellers on the beach even though they are licensed. If you're going to Punta Cana then get your on site rep to ring up and arrange a trip to Don Lucas. This is a local tourist site where you can see cigar rolling and they have a walk in humidor eight times the size of JJ Fox. They make their own cigars which are very good, I've been through a box of robustos from there. Take the wife, they also feature chocolate making and flavoured rums. They will pick you up from your hotel in a minibus and take you back afterwards for nothing.
I can recommend the Dominican Romeo y Julietas which you can pick up at a good price, I have four boxes of them in different vitolas.
The airport duty free has a good selection of cigars including Opus X which were cheaper than Don Lucas had them but remember this is an expensive premium cigar.
Last time I went my wife bought me a box of Andalusian Bulls at the airport for about half UK price.

[PeeJay]

I forgot to ask what hotel you're going to.

[JoeyGunz]

I went and price's were extortionate at my hotel and loads of fake cuban's being sold. I don't really smoke NC's so didn't go out my way for anything.

[shadegrown]

Thanks Peejay, I’m staying at the Bahia Principe Amber

Are there Cubans in the airport duty free & what are the prices like?

[shadegrown]

Thanks Joey - I’ve heard that fakes are everywhere

[Hookmaker]

Agree with PJs comment.
I can recommend buying and trying a few LFD’s (La Flor Dominicana) down there and get a box or two if you like them.
Go for the chissels, preferably the Oro ones.
The Andalusian bull is an extraordinary cigar at a price far away from that of extraordinary Cubans.
If you can find some Davidoff Puro d’Oro, buy them, they are great and have become scarce since no longer made.


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[PeeJay]

Thanks Peejay, I’m staying at the Bahia Principe Amber

Are there Cubans in the airport duty free & what are the prices like?

The Bahia Principe Ambar is a great hotel/resort and there are three good cigar shops on site, two of them with lounges. I didn't look for Cubans at the airport but they had them at the hotel shops at European prices when I was there. The biggest hotel lobby is open sided and smoking was permitted indoors if its raining. There are nine hotels on the resort and yours is the best unless they've built another one. Credit cards are accepted.

[shadegrown]

Great - thanks for the help and information

Looking forward to the R&R and a few great smokes

[SHAMZ84]

There are loads of fakes....even in the hotel official shop I'll try dig out some of the photos I took when I was out there.


That saying we stayed in la Romana can't remember the hotel name


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[shadegrown]

Peejay - when did you visit Don Lucas? Trip advisor reviews seem very mixed, the 5* reviews seem to come from people who don’t really smoke cigars and have just gone to see a cigar factory whilst on holiday and the regular cigar smokers don’t seem to rate it

[PeeJay]

Peejay - when did you visit Don Lucas? Trip advisor reviews seem very mixed, the 5* reviews seem to come from people who don’t really smoke cigars and have just gone to see a cigar factory whilst on holiday and the regular cigar smokers don’t seem to rate it

A few years ago. It's not the factory but they do have a roller, give out free samples and have a large humidor. And its a free trip.

[shadegrown]

Thanks Peejay

[shadegrown]

Anyone got any knowledge of La Perla Dominicana? Another factory/shop in Punta Cana

[PeeJay]

That sounds like a tourist trap we went to, basically a large gift shop with some expensive cigars in the basement.