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The north and north central areas of the Dominican Republic are where you want to be if you would like to see the heart of Dominican cigar production. If you're looking to view Cigar making firsthand, I can recommend no other place than the Cibao Valley.
It is a gorgeous area, with it's fertile soil, a mecca for crops like tobacco and sugar cane. What's even more rich are the people of this region. Up in the mountains you will find some of the friendliest, most spirited people in the country. Here's one of my pictures of the northern DR. 
To view the Cigar practice up close you can go to one of the big manufacturers and request a tour of the factory. In Santiago I suggest you visit the Centro Leon Jimenes. The have a replica of an early 20th century Dominican Cigar factory.
If you want a more intimate tour, I suggest you head to one of the smaller villages in the Cibao for an actual rolling factory that is probably still "an early 20th century factory".
The Big Daddy of them all is the E Leon Jimenez Tobacco Company
They're like the Philip Morris of cigars. Founded in 1985, E Leon Jimenez is an international and multinational tobacco factory that offers tours to the public and includes a factory store.
Location: Santiago
Telephone: (809) 535-5555
Fabrica Anilo de Oro
Located in Tamboril, near where I lived for some time, one of the most famous tobacco and cigar towns in the world, Fabrica Anilo de Oro is a small cigar producer that offers a tour along with a free, fresh rolled cigar at the end.
Location: Calle Real 85, Tamboril, Santiago Prov.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 7am to 4pm
Telephone: (809) 580-5808
Lost Maestros
A small manufacturer that I believe is family run. Again, in Tamboril, you cannot go wrong. Call ahead and see if you should bring any rum!
Location: Tamboril, Santiago Prov.
Telephone: (809) 299-1702
Tabaclera Jacagua
Yes, again we're in Tamboril. Are you seeing the trend? Tabaclera Jacagua gives visitors a nice tour and also a cigar to sample at the end, of course.
Location: Cappelan 13, Tamboril, Santiago Prov.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 7am to 4pm
Telephone: (809) 580-6600
Pinar del Rio Tabaclero
With a nice tour and gift shop, this manufacturer from Villa Gonzalez is always a good choice.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
Tubano's
This is one of the more heavily trafficked tours, but worth it.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm |
