la aurora cigar factory

Visited the factory and was just so impressed. "Eugene" and staff were freindly, welcoming and made us feel right at home...like old friends. Factory was amazing, and every where we went staff was friendly and happy. The cigar knowledge was amazing as was the history. Getting the chance to meet the rollers and watch them at work was just spellbinding. Highly recommend this tour.

Learn about the cigar history and the La Aurora brand from the most friendly and welcoming family + Eugenio + Javier

For cigar aficionados this is a must do your while visiting Dominican Republic, Eugenio the tour guide is very knowledgable and passionate about the process around manufacturing a high quality cigar and how to really appreciate the flavor and aroma. Eugenio also is willing to teach and share that kind of appreciation to the visitor.

If you are a cigar enthusiast you can not miss this factory tour, it is the most complete cigar tour experience in the country, probably in the world.

Your guide shakes your hand and sticks a cigar in your mouth and then walks you through the factory where every part of the process can be experienced. It's an excellent tour, an excellent factory and an excellent cigar. The guide obviously enjoys his cigar as well his job and he is one of the best parts of the tour. Make sure to buy a couple of boxes of cigars when you leave. If not for yourself, they make great presents. You'll regret it if you don't!

We visited last week and the entire staff were great. The tour took around 45 minutes. We were offered a selection of complimentary cigars to enjoy during the tour. Nice touch! Dress casual in light clothing as there are sections without air conditioning! We did buy cigars from factory store at a discounted price. Our tour had 12 in our group, many different nationalities, fun group. The cigar factory guide spoke 5 languages so no issue with our International group. I highly recommend the tour if you enjoy seeing the cigar making process up close.

We went to La Aurora las week and it was beyond our expectations. The staff there besides knowing very well its things, they do enjoy working there! Fine treatment and lots of things to learn, the property is neat and in constant development for better. We walked all over the place watching processes and smoking great cigars, the history of such cigars and the family who hard worked for been as is are really worth the trip there! I must recall the fine attentions of people like Eugene (factory guide), Mr. Inoa (master blender), Mr Blanco (brand ambassador), Mr gomez and many more who were so attentive and full of knowledge.

I did this tour with some friends, the guide was very friendly and you get to learn a lot. They also sell cigars right there

I had a great time. I walked through the factory and saw first hand how some of the best cigars in the world are made by hand. I even was allowed to help make some of the cigars. The workers and staff were very friendly and answered all my questions with patience and ease.

I like the ambiance and the the staff treated me well considering I don't speak spanish well. Very nice setting and seating inside and out

La Aurora is a fascinating place with lots of interesting things going on for visitors to watch. They are blessed with an outstanding tour guide: Eugenio enjoys his tours as much as the visitors do, and that is a formula for delight for everyone. We are not smokers, but the experience of learning the details of this elaborate process and watching the terrifically skilled workers was very much worthwhile even without wanting to partake of the results.

I went with three friends for the factory tour. We made reservation in the morning and when we arrived Eugenio was waiting to take us on the tour. The tour exceeded all our expectations. Eugenio showed us how to light, hold and walk with a cigar. He really enjoyed his job and enjoyed sharing his appreciation of a fine cigar with us. We saw all aspects of the cigar factory and the various tobaccos and cigars. During the tour we were given a cigar to smoke. I am not a big cigar fan, but then I have never had such a fine cigar. I thoroughly enjoyed the cigar and was disappointed when I finally had to put it out when I finished. The shop has all levels of cigars and Eugenio will treat you well with some deals. The shop staff was also very helpful. This is a great business with a proud tradition that takes pride in its product and its people. If you are near Santiago, Dominican Republic make sure to book a tour. Our only negative about the tour was trying to find the factory. Most tours are booked through guides. We did our own. The Trip Advisor map shows the factory in the middle of Spain. For those coming from Puerto Plata, take the new toll road DR 1 north of Santiago. Take the exit to Tamboril. The free trade park is about a kilometer north on the right. Ask the guard from there. We took many wrong turns trying to find it. We all agreed afterwards that the effort was well worth it.

To see the entire process of cigar making is incredible. All Brothers Of The Leaf should see the effort put into making the cigars we enjoy.

One of the best excursions I have ever been a part of. Only non Dominicans can tour the facility so one the couples with us had to wait in the lounge area at the factory shop but the rest of us had a great time. We started with visiting the area where the tobaco is dried and followed the hand rolling process from start to finished product, all individually wrapped to preserve their freshness. Very surprised to see that the work force are allowed to sample there products during work time but are forbidden from taking any out of the factory. We were even instructed in how to smoke a cigar correctly to ensure full enjoyment to the very last puff.I would like to add that I do not and have never been a smoker but had a wonderful time.

I've been going to the DR with my family for 12 years and have been on many tours, but this one was the best by a long shot. Eugenio was very professional, knowledgeable, amicable, and plain old fun! His English was also fantastic, but he entertained me when I wanted to speak Spanish. Upon arriving we noticed all of the employees were happy and friendly, especially Eugenio. We started the tour by being given a cigar to smoke and entering the rolling room. In the rolling room there was a desk and microphone for the leadors (a very important part of cigarmaking tradition) to read stories and newspapers to the rollers as they worked away. When there isn't someone to read, bachata and merengue are heard throughout the factory to entertain the workers. I even met one of the descendants of Leon Jimenes who was carefully watchIng over the workers. I was wondering if it was going to be a brief tour because it looked small but boy was I wrong! We were shown all parts of the factory and stages of manufacture after exiting the rolling room. I was impressed with La Aurora and their espirit de corps. The employees from the master rollers to deveiners and packers were talented, happy, and proud to work there. La Aurora treats their employees well and provides benefits and retirement for them when they reach 63. This is almost unheard of in the Dominican Republic. There is also music throughout the factory and Eugenio and I even danced a little bachata for the ladies in the deveining room who were wildly amused at seeing a gringo dance bachata. An example of a happy employee would have to be Raul, who sorts and hangs wrapper leaves to dry. He is 84, worked for the company since he was a teenager, could retire at any time, but would rather keep his job.The tradition, skill, hard work, and family-run environment is really what makes La Aurora such a special product. The tour was amazing and fascinating, but what was more important to me was having the human connection that I made. For this reason, La Aurora has secured my brand loyalty. I recommend everyone visit the La Aurora factory, even if you don't like cigars!