Let’s start with the fact that cigars in the Dominican Republic are among the most popular souvenirs tourists bring back from the country. Although Dominicans are not generally a cigarette-smoking nation, cigars are a proud exception. Much like rum, coffee, and cocoa, cigars hold a special place in Dominican culture and exports.
Table of Contents:
- A Brief History of Dominican Cigars
- How They’re Made: Size and Shape
- Prices, Where to Buy, Top Brands
- Travel Tips
A Brief History of Cigars in the Dominican Republic
Tobacco has always grown in the area that is now the Dominican Republic. Long before Columbus arrived, indigenous people used tobacco in ritual practices. Smoldering tobacco leaves were also used to repel insects and even as a remedy for certain ailments.
Read more about Dominican fruits in our dedicated article.
Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1493, and on his first voyage, he brought tobacco back to Europe—where it rapidly gained popularity. As demand surged, so did the expansion of tobacco plantations in its native land.
Important to Know:
Until the 20th century, Cuba was the global leader in tobacco cultivation and cigar production. The Dominican Republic came second. However, after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Cuba and halted all imports from the country, many leading cigar manufacturers relocated their operations to the neighboring Dominican Republic. From the mid-20th century onward, the Dominican cigar industry began to thrive like never before.
How Cigars Are Made: Sizes and Shapes
Here are some key facts that apply to nearly all Dominican cigars:
- 95% of cigars in the Dominican Republic are handmade.
Each cigar contains three types of tobacco leaf:
- Filler (Tripa): Typically made from the upper leaves of the tobacco plant.
- Binder (Capote): Medium-firm leaves from the midsection of the plant, used to hold the filler together and shape the cigar. These leaves aren’t large enough to wrap the whole cigar.
- Wrapper (Capa): The largest and most robust leaves, taken from the lower part of the plant, used to wrap the entire cigar and give it its final color and texture.
Fun Fact:
Locals say the best cigars are rolled on the thigh of a young woman. While that’s more legend than truth, many cigar rollers in Dominican factories are women of all ages—though they use special rolling tables, not their legs!
Cigar Sizes and Shapes: What You Should Know
Size and shape are the two most important characteristics of a cigar. They’re always interconnected and rarely discussed separately. While beginners may think the flavor depends only on the tobacco and brand, size and shape also play a huge role.
Cigar size is usually described with two numbers: length and diameter (ring gauge).
Useful to Know:
When talking cigars with Dominicans, you’ll often hear the word “Vitola” (Spanish for “gauge” or “format”). This term refers to the cigar’s overall size and shape combined.
Read our article on the national language and helpful Spanish phrases for tourists—it might just save your trip.
In the Dominican Republic, there are hundreds of official vitolas (gauge categories), and even more unofficial ones. Each standard vitola has a name that reflects its dimensions and form.
Cigar Formats
Cigars typically fall into two main shape categories:
- Parejos – Straight-sided cigars shaped like a cylinder. Similar to a classic cigarette but larger.
- Figurados – Figuratively shaped cigars (think torpedoes or cones).
Cigars are also divided by size:
Small Cigars
- Up to 11 cm in length
- Up to 12 mm in diameter
- Most popular standard: Chicos – 106 mm long, 11.51 mm diameter. Considered a “ladies’ cigar.”
Medium Cigars
- 11–14 cm in length
- 12–17 mm in diameter
- Most iconic vitola: Coronas – 5½” x 42 gauge (140 mm x 16.67 mm).
Pro tip: Dominican measurements can be confusing—lengths in inches, weights in pounds, gas in gallons. Learn more in our article on Dominican facts.
Large Cigars
- A popular standard is Churchill – named after Winston Churchill himself. Size: 178 mm long, 18.65 mm diameter.
- 14–20 cm in length
- 17–22 mm in diameter
Tip:
Choose your cigar’s size based on how and with what you plan to enjoy it. The larger the vitola, the more time and relaxation it requires.
Cigars in the Dominican Republic: Prices, Where to Buy, Best Brands
Let’s start with the producers. Today, the Dominican Republic is home to over 10 major global cigar brands. Many of them are Cuban in origin but moved to the DR due to U.S. sanctions.
Here are the most trusted and gift-worthy names:
- La Aurora
- Arturo Fuente
- Cusano Dominican
Important Note:
On the beach, vendors often sell what they claim are Arturo Fuente cigars—beautifully boxed and offered at $5 per box. Beware! A single real Arturo Fuente cigar costs around $5. What you’re seeing on the beach is often banana leaf rolled to look like a cigar.
Now, let’s talk prices and places to shop.
- Prices start at $2 per cigar from lesser-known brands.
- There’s a wide selection in the $2–$5 range.
- Premium cigars can cost $30–$50 each—these are best purchased on factory tours to avoid counterfeits, especially if you’re not an expert.
Where to buy cigars:
- Large retail stores
- Hotel gift shops
- Souvenir boutiques
- Duty-Free at the airport
- And yes, even from beach vendors (though we don’t recommend it)
Helpful Tip:
Buy from large stores. While the selection may be limited to bestsellers and staff aren’t always cigar-savvy, the products are guaranteed authentic.
Tips for Tourists
Just a few quick pointers:
- Avoid buying cigars on the beach.
- If in doubt, shop at Duty-Free. It may cost more, but you’re guaranteed quality.
- Top cigar vitolas to bring home as gifts: Torpedo, Corona, Churchill, and Robusto.
And in this article, by clicking on the link, you will read everything about Dominican coffee.
And about Dominican cocoa, cocoa balls and a recipe for how to cook them. By the way, coffee and cocoa are also an excellent gift along with cigars.
In Conclusion:
Cigars in the Dominican Republic are affordable, easy to find, and make for an excellent gift. While counterfeits do exist, with a little caution, you can take home a high-quality, authentic product. Just remember to check your country’s import limits before packing that humidor.
Here’s wishing you cozy evenings by the fire with a cigar—hand-rolled, perhaps, on the thigh of a young Dominican woman!
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Dominican Republic
- Cheap Flights and best deals
- Car rental: DiscoverCars – a largest international resource
- Hotels and apartments:
- Tripadvisor – compares prices among a dozen other services and platforms and offers to choose the best one.
- Trip.com – large online booking platform.
- Vacation packages: CheapOair – cheap packages from all US cities.
- Tours, excursions and extreme activities:
- GetYourGuide – more than 800+ tours and water activities.
- Viator – 3500+ tours and excursions in Dominican.
- Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
- Internet and Calls:
- Airalo – eSIM with internet package.
- Drimsim – universal SIM card (or eSIM) in any country in the world.
- Taxis and airport transfers: Intui.Travel