Dominican cigars are also some of the finest rolled anywhere. You will find a lot of vendors that sell cigars in their stores, on the beach or on the streets.

Beware: Cuban and Dominican counterfeits are big business!

Be very careful as there are a lot of fakes out there; many are second-quality made from scraps and sweepings.

The best come from the area around the growing fields in Villa Gonzales to the historical town of Tamboril outside of Santiago.

Do a google search for Dominican cigars and you will see many places where you can order online and what the real prices are for these. Then, when someone on the beach asks you for $50 for a box of you will know they are fakes. A decent cigar will cost at least $4 US.

Stay away from the duty free cigars, they are expensive their genuinity can be suspect.

Remember: a good cigar is not cheap.

Recommended places to purchase authentic cigars:

North Coast

Cafe Cito: Canadian Tim Hall carries a decent selection of real Dominican cigars.

Santiago has many cigar shops where rolling is done; ask around for Luis aka "Hillbilly".

South Coast

In San Pedro de Macoris there are a number of "ma and pa" operations that tours will take you to.

East Coast

Domenico Cigars in Cortecito (Punta Cana); watch cigars be rolled at their showroom in Plaza Brisas. http://www.domenicocigars.com/bav.html

Other cigar manufacturers are also available and have good quality brands,

Don Lucas cigars is a good one that comes to mind.  They also will pick you up at your resort.

http://www.gillet.biz/lucasuk.html