Cigars Around The World: Travel in Style

Traveling around the world is always a thrilling adventure. Traveling around the world to experience cigars where they are rolled, crafted and celebrated is taking your passion to different heights.. Imagine wandering through lush tobacco fields in Cuba, savoring premium sticks in the Dominican Republic, or touring artisan factories in Nicaragua. If you love cigars, a cigar travel tour is not just a vacation; it’s a pilgrimage to cigar heaven! 

We’re doing something a little different in this post, featuring a quick trip around the globe to share in the admiration and passion for cigars. We’ll dive into the most well known cigar making countries as well as travel advise for bringing these goodies back to the United States. First let’s jump into “Cigar Country.”

Where to Travel for the Best Cigar Experiences

Cigars are most commonly made in Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua. These countries are renowned for their ideal climate and soil conditions for growing tobacco, their long-standing cigar making traditions and skilled cigar rolling skills. So, if you’re planning a cigar tour around the world, you’ll pretty much be sticking to a pretty centralized region in Central America and the Caribbean. These may seem like underrated travel destinations but there is quite a lot happening in these countries. So here are must visit countries for every cigar aficionado dreams.

#1 Cuba 

• Key Highlights: Havana’s world-renowned cigar factories, like Partagás and La Corona.
• Why Visit: Cuban cigars are considered the gold standard for a reason. The unique soil and traditional hand rolling methods create an unmatched flavor.
• Must Try: Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta.

#2 Dominican Republic

• Key Highlights: Santiago, known as the “Cigar Capital of the World.”
• Why Visit: Home to major brands like Arturo Fuente, Davidoff, and La Flor Dominicana.
• Must Try: Arturo Fuente Opus X, Davidoff Nicaragua.

#3 Nicaragua

• Key Highlights: Estelí’s legendary cigar factories.
• Why Visit: Rich volcanic soil produces bold, full-bodied cigars.
• Must Try: Padron, Oliva Serie V, Drew Estate Liga Privada.

#4 Honduras

• Key Highlights: Danlí’s beautiful plantations.
• Why Visit: High quality cigars like Punch and Rocky Patel are crafted here.
• Must Try: Rocky Patel Vintage Series, Punch Gran Puro.

The Art of Cigar Making: A Journey of Craftsmanship

Cigar making is an art that can take years to master. Consider this adventure the equivalent to bourbon tours in Kentucky or wine tasting in Napa Valley. Cigars require care, attention, and a nurturing touch so that when it touches your lips for the first draw, perfection ensues. Below is a brief overview of the cigar making process.

• Cultivation: Tobacco plants are grown in rich soils under precise conditions.
• Harvesting: Only the best leaves are selected by skilled harvesters.
• Curing: Leaves are dried naturally to develop aroma and flavor.
• Fermentation: Leaves undergo a natural chemical process to enhance taste.
• Rolling: Master rollers, called torcedores, handcraft cigars, blending different leaves for complex flavor.
• Aging: Finished cigars are aged to achieve a balanced and smooth smoke.

Experiencing this process firsthand on your cigar travel tour is stepping into the heart of cigar culture and you’ll never look at a premium cigar the same way again. And to top it off, you’ll be able to try a cigar right off the packing lines. It will be the freshest cigar you’ve ever smoked! 

You might be wondering, geez I’d love to take a few boxes home with me from these factories “Can I Bring Cigars Back to the United States?” Yes, you can! As of recent regulations, US travelers can bring cigars from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and other countries for personal use. However, there are some rules. Generally, you can bring up to 100 cigars or $800 worth without paying a duty fee. You must declare cigars on your US Customs re-entry form. Lastly, the cigars must be for personal consumption, not resale.

Bringing Cigars Back To The US: Flying with Cigars, Humidors, and Lighters

Traveling with your cigars takes advanced preparation. If you know you’re going to bring home cigars from your trip you should plan accordingly. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring a travel humidor or a small humidor for cigars you are bringing back. Here are some tips and TSA guidance for flying with cigars and cigar accessories.

Packing Checklist

• Choose a reliable travel humidor to protect your cigars
• Pack extra Boveda packs to maintain perfect humidity inside your humidor.
• Prepare a Travel-Friendly Cutter that you can carry 
• Pack a TSA Compliant Soft Flame Lighter or plan to buy one at your destination.
  (Torch lighters are not allowed!)

Know Before You Go

• Never check cigars in luggage. Maintain proper humidity control by keeping them with you.
• Declare Your Cigars at Customs. When returning to the U.S., declare cigars if they are over $800 or if you have over 100 cigars.
• Know the TSA Rules
• Check Humidity Upon Arrival at destinations. Ensure your cigars stayed between 65%–72% RH during travel.
• Buy Local Cigars and Explore new flavors.  Buy cigars from local shops or cigar factories!
• Pro Travel Tip: Always have a backup Boveda pack and a small hygrometer in your travel humidor.

Flying with Cigars and Humidors

• Allowed in Carry-On and Checked Bags: So you can bring your cigars in humidors safely on the plane.
• Use a travel humidor like Cigar Caddy 40 Ct to protect your cigars. Carry on luggage often gets smushed in the overhead bins so with a Cigar Caddy travel humidor your cigars are protected because they are crushproof cases.

Flying with Cigar Lighters

• Torch Lighters (Jet Flame) are NOT allowed in carry-on or checked luggage due to its high temperature. 
• Soft Flame Lighters One permitted in a carry-on, but must be fueled with absorbed fuel (e.g., Zippo type), not free-flowing fuel.
• Cigar Cutters are allowed in carry-ons but must comply with TSA sharp object rules.
• Pro Tip: Invest in a TSA-compliant lighter or pick one up at your destination to avoid hassle.

Essential Gear for Your Cigar Travels

When traveling internationally with cigars, make sure you have the right gear. Here is a breakdown of some cigar accessory travel recommendations 

Final Thoughts

A cigar lover’s dream is traveling the world, savoring the finest cigars straight from the source, and understanding the craftsmanship behind every puff. With the right preparation including a durable travel humidor you can travel in style, keep your cigars fresh, and bring a piece of the world’s best cigars back home. Ready to explore cigars around the world?