Cigar Lounges in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo's cigar lounges and shops center on Calle El Conde in the Colonial Zone and on the Villiger Lounge, which sits above the ABAM cigar factory in Villa Mella. The large factory tours and tobacco farms are in Santiago, a separate city in the Cibao Valley. Most of the listings behind these details are years old, so treat every address and opening time as unconfirmed.
Where to Smoke and Buy Cigars in Santo Domingo
You can buy cigars in Santo Domingo at shops on Calle El Conde, such as La Leyenda del Cigarro. For a lounge, the main option is the Villiger Lounge inside the ABAM factory in Villa Mella, which you visit by invitation, by appointment, or through a tour operator.
Our wider cigar lounge guide covers other cities.
| Place | Location | What sources report | How current the source is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villiger Lounge | ABAM factory, Villa Mella, Santo Domingo Norte | Villiger's official flagship lounge, above a working factory | Cigar Aficionado review, March 2018 |
| La Leyenda del Cigarro | Calle El Conde, Colonial Zone | Shop selling its own branded premium cigars, with a seating area | Fodor's listing, street number disputed |
| Caoba Cigars | Calle El Conde, Colonial Zone | Shop with a small factory next to it | One older listing |
| Cameroon Cigar Lounge | Av. George Washington (the Malecon) | Lounge | Cigar Journal list, 2015 |
| La Azotea | Dominican Fiesta Hotel & Casino | Lounge | Cigar Journal list, 2015 |
Santo Domingo is a poor fit if you mainly want to walk tobacco fields or tour several big factories. Those visits happen in Santiago, the factory region. This advice would change if a Colonial Zone lounge published current hours, or if the Villiger Lounge stopped taking visitors.
The Villiger Lounge at the ABAM Factory
The Villiger Lounge is Villiger's official flagship lounge, on the upper level of the ABAM cigar factory, according to a Cigar Aficionado review by Gregory Mottola dated March 12, 2018. ABAM produces many Villiger premium cigars, including La Flor de Ynclan.
The review describes a room of over 1,000 square feet with a bar that focuses on Caribbean rums. A wall of windows looks down on the factory's rolling gallery.
| Detail | As printed in the 2018 review |
|---|---|
| Address | Zona Franca Industrial de Villa Mella, Nave #6, Buena Vista Primera, Villa Mella, Santo Domingo Norte |
| Phone | (809) 569-9494 |
| Website | abamcigars.com |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Access | By invitation, by appointment, or through a tour operator |
| Visit package | Walking factory tour, seven cigars, drinks at the bar, lounge time |
| Cigars named | La Flor de Ynclan, La Libertad, Villiger 1888, Villiger Kreme |
| Fee | Amount not stated |
Cigar Aficionado called the lounge open to the public, but the same review says entry runs through an invitation, an appointment, or a tour operator. Plan on booking ahead.
The factory sits in an industrial free zone outside the Colonial Zone. Build in travel time if you are staying near Calle El Conde. The weekday-only hours from 2018 also mean a weekend trip may miss it, so ask about current hours when you call.
Cigar Shops on Calle El Conde
Calle El Conde is a pedestrian street in the Colonial Zone lined with shops, restaurants, bars and cafes.
La Leyenda del Cigarro makes and sells its own branded premium cigars. A Fodor's listing says the shop has a leather couch seating area where staff explain the history of Dominican cigar-making. Fodor's also says the shop suits experienced smokers and beginners alike.
The street number for La Leyenda del Cigarro is unconfirmed. One listing gives Calle El Conde 161, and a travel blog gives number 4. If you are staying at a hotel, ask the desk for directions, or walk the street until you find it.
Caoba Cigars is also reported on Calle El Conde, with a small factory beside the shop. That report comes from one older listing, and we found no recent source that shows the shop is still open.
Other Cigar Lounges in Santo Domingo to Check
Two more lounges appear in a 2015 Cigar Journal list. Neither has a newer source that we could find.
- Cameroon Cigar Lounge: listed on Av. George Washington, the Malecon.
- La Azotea: listed at the Dominican Fiesta Hotel & Casino.
A 2015 listing is old. Hours and whether each lounge still operates are unpublished. If you are staying at a hotel, ask the front desk before you plan an evening around either one.
Buying Tips and Bringing Cigars Home
Buying well in Santo Domingo comes down to comparing prices across shops and asking how the cigars are stored. One traveler forum report describes old stock and heavy markups in some Colonial Zone shops. That is a single account, but it costs nothing to look at two or three shops before buying a box.
For the trip home, U.S. federal regulation, Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 148.33 (text hosted by the Cornell Legal Information Institute) lets returning residents include up to 100 cigars in their personal exemption. The allowance that applies to arrivals from the Dominican Republic can differ from that figure, so check with U.S. Customs and Border Protection before you travel.
Cuban cigars fall under separate legal rules. Our guide on why Cuban cigars are illegal in the US explains them. If you fly home with cigars, our guide to packing cigars for travel covers keeping them in good shape.
Santiago, the Factory Region
Santiago, in the Cibao Valley, is where most major Dominican cigar brands are headquartered. The Dominican Republic is the world's largest premium-cigar producer by volume.
Santo Domingo has direct flights and resort infrastructure nearby. Our guide to cigar vacation destinations covers the Dominican Republic trip in more detail.
FAQ
Can you tour a cigar factory in Santo Domingo?
Yes, by invitation or appointment, according to the 2018 Cigar Aficionado review, which describes a walking tour of the ABAM factory as part of the Villiger Lounge visit package. Entry is by invitation, by appointment, or through a tour operator.
Is it cheaper to buy cigars in the Dominican Republic?
We have no price data for Santo Domingo shops, so we cannot say. One traveler report warns of heavy markups in some Colonial Zone shops, so compare a few before buying.
Can I bring Dominican cigars back to the US?
Yes, within limits. Under 19 CFR 148.33, returning residents can include up to 100 cigars in the personal exemption, though allowances for Dominican Republic arrivals can differ, so check with U.S. Customs and Border Protection before you travel.
Are there membership lounges in Santo Domingo?
None of the sources we used lists a membership lounge in Santo Domingo. The Villiger Lounge is visited by invitation, by appointment, or through a tour operator.
Santo Domingo Cigar Stop Checklist
Work through these in order:
- Call the Villiger Lounge first, because entry is by invitation, appointment or tour operator.
- Set aside an afternoon for the Colonial Zone and compare prices at two or three shops.
- If you fly home with cigars, pack them for the flight.
If you bought cigars in Santo Domingo, log them in the Humidor Tracker once you are back.