i am going to the dominican republic for vacation. can someone tell me how much cuban and local cigars cost down there? i am staying at a place called ocean blue in punta cana. are cigars sold at the resorts or will i need to find a store?

Avoid cigars in the DR. Too many fakes of Cuban brands and even Dominican brands. The way I understand it is that there are very few reputable places to purchase cigars down there.

That said, I know a guy who gets some local made cigars down there that he swears by, he pays $30 for a bundle of 50! He says they are awesome and the guy will adjust the blend to the customers liking.

The only place I found authentic cubans in DR, was at the duty free shop, upon exiting DR.

Don't buy anything off the beach. The hotel will probably be legit on Domincans. You won't get real Cubans there. If you take one of the tours where you go through the sugar cane fields and visit the school, they'll take you to a roadside shop that sells real Dominicans. But, I wouldn't get all giddy about buying authentic Dominicans in the DR.

Although, if you get some of the rum dipped bannana leaf wrapped flavored cigars off the beach vendors and inhale them and hold the smoke you'll see Jesus.

Drink a few El Presidente's for me!

It is hard to find good cigars in DR...I was there in '97 and '98...its a very, very poor country so there are a lot of "fakes" out there. I would try the shops in the resort area...that might be your best bet...if you venture outside the resort areas, your taking your chances...even on your life. What ever you do, don't buy from the street vendors....they claim to have boxes of Cubans for $40.00....if its too good to be true, it probably is. Oh and watch out for the shoe shine boys...they'll even try to shine your sneakers

Ladi