--- title: "A New Tradition Begins: Relive Cigars in Paradise" url: https://www.casadecampo.com.do/blog/2026/07/10/cigars-in-paradise-festival-recap/ date: 2026-07-10 modified: 2026-09-02 lang: en author: "Gitti" description: "Relive the inaugural Cigars in Paradise Festival at Casa de Campo, featuring premium cigar brands, educational seminars, luxury experiences, and the Cigar Smoking World Championship qualifier." categories: - "Blog" image: https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/DSC05627-1-683x1024.jpg word_count: 895 --- # A New Tradition Begins: Relive Cigars in Paradise ## Key Takeaways - Casa de Campo Resort & Villas hosts the inaugural Cigars in Paradise Festival for four days, from June 25 to 27, 2026, and the post says May 20-23, 2027 for the next edition. - The festival features educational seminars led by master blenders, cigar makers, and industry experts on tobacco cultivation, cigar construction, blending techniques, aging, and Caribbean and Central American traditions. - The official Dominican Republic Qualifier for the Cigar Smoking World Championship gives participants a chance to represent the Dominican Republic at the CSWC World Championship. - The Marina Riverside Center brings together 28 premium cigar stands, Dominican rum labels, luxury partners, and an exclusive Palm Republic rum tasting at Casa de Campo's Marina. ### The Inaugural Cigars in Paradise Festival: A New Luxury Tradition Begins at Casa de Campo The inaugural Cigars in Paradise Festival welcomed cigar enthusiasts, luxury travelers, and industry leaders to Casa de Campo Resort & Villas for four unforgettable days celebrating premium cigars, rum, golf, and Caribbean hospitality. From educational seminars and exclusive tastings to the official Dominican Republic qualifier of the Cigar Smoking World Championship, the event established itself as one of the Caribbean's newest luxury lifestyle experiences. Here's a look back at the highlights that made the first edition a remarkable success. https://youtu.be/bRJ3p4Mm1bQ ### Why a Cigars Festival? The Dominican Republic has a long cigar-making tradition. Household names such as Arturo Fuente, La Flor Dominicana, Romeo y Julieta, and La Aurora are enjoyed around the world. Visiting the renowned Tabacalera de García to watch skilled artisans hand-roll cigars is a popular activity for Casa de Campo Resort & Villas’ guests. And of course, there’s nothing like savoring your first puff in one of the resort’s picture-perfect settings. For these reasons and more, we hosted the first Casa de Campo Cigars in Paradise® festival from June 25–27, 2026. The exclusive three-day event celebrated the ritual of fine cigars with premium pairings of world-class rum and spirits, seminars and interactive sessions, as well as a slow-smoking tournament held under the Cigar Smoking World Championship banner. Attendees included young entrepreneurs, industry veterans, celebrities such as **Roselyn Sánchez, Eric Winter, and Mekhi Phifer**, lifestyle content creators, and cigar aficionados from around the globe. ### What Is the Cigars in Paradise Festival? The Cigars in Paradise Festival was created to celebrate the craftsmanship, heritage, and culture surrounding premium cigars and fine rum in one of the Caribbean's most iconic luxury destinations. Hosted at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, the four-day experience brought together internationally recognized cigar brands from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras alongside premium rum producers, creating an immersive event for seasoned aficionados and newcomers alike. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Marina, guests enjoyed a thoughtfully curated program that blended education, entertainment, exceptional dining, and luxury hospitality. The beautiful Marina Riverside Center brought cigar culture to life with 28 premium cigar stands, Dominican rum labels, and luxury partners, plus an exclusive Palm Republic rum tasting. Guests chose their preferred cigars, paired them with a drink, and sat down with friends to enjoy a leisurely smoke under the Caribbean night. In a fast-paced world, cigars invite us to slow down, connect with kindred spirits, and appreciate life’s finer pleasures—a natural complement to the Casa de Campo lifestyle. The Cigars in Paradise® festival looks set to become an anticipated annual highlight, the first edition of many more to come. ### How Did the Festival Begin? #### An Elegant Welcome Cocktail The festival officially began with an exclusive Welcome Cocktail Reception, where guests, brand representatives, media, and special invitees gathered to celebrate the start of the inaugural edition. ![](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/JasonKycekBarryAbramsPaulHaley-scaled.jpg) ### What Educational Experiences Were Offered? #### Cigar Talks and Expert-Led Seminars One of the festival's defining features was its educational programming. Throughout the event, guests attended engaging seminars led by respected master blenders, cigar makers, and industry experts. Topics explored included tobacco cultivation, cigar construction, blending techniques, aging, and the traditions that have shaped premium cigar production across the Caribbean and Central America. These conversations gave attendees a deeper appreciation for the artistry and heritage behind every cigar. ### What Made the Cigar Smoking World Championship Qualifier So Special? The festival proudly hosted the official Dominican Republic Qualifier for the Cigar Smoking World Championship (CSWC), one of the cigar industry's most respected international competitions. Participants competed to demonstrate patience, consistency, and technique while earning the opportunity to represent the Dominican Republic at the CSWC World Championship. The competition became one of the weekend's most anticipated experiences, attracting competitors and spectators alike. ![](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ConcursantesFumadaLenta-1024x683.jpg) ### What Happened During the Festival Nights? #### Two Unforgettable Evenings at the Marina The heart of Cigars in Paradise came alive during two spectacular festival nights at Casa de Campo's Marina. Guests explored premium cigar experiences presented by renowned brands from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras while enjoying curated rum tastings, gourmet culinary offerings, live entertainment, and elegant waterfront lounges. Beyond the tastings, the festival fostered meaningful conversations between guests, brand representatives, and industry professionals, creating an atmosphere where craftsmanship and luxury naturally converged. ### How Did the Festival Conclude? #### A Silent Auction Supporting a Meaningful Cause The inaugural festival concluded with a successful Silent Auction featuring exclusive collectibles, premium products, and unique experiences generously donated by participating brands and partners. The auction not only allowed guests to acquire exceptional items but also reinforced the spirit of collaboration and community that defined the event. ### Why Cigars in Paradise Is Becoming a Signature Caribbean Luxury Event Today's luxury travelers increasingly seek experiences that combine authenticity, culture, and exclusivity. Cigars in Paradise delivers exactly that by bringing together premium cigars, world-class hospitality, golf, fine dining, and the natural beauty of the Caribbean in a single destination. With its inaugural edition now complete, the festival has established a strong foundation to become an anticipated annual event for cigar enthusiasts and luxury travelers from around the world. We look forward to welcoming you back as this exciting new tradition continues to grow. **See you at Cigars in Paradise, May 20-23, 2027** ![Eric Winter, Roselyn Sanchez & Jason Kycek at Cigars in Paradise](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image.png)Eric Winter, Roselyn Sanchez & Jason Kycek ![LitoGomez,TonyGomez At Cigars in Paradise in Casa de Campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/LitoGomezTonyGomez-scaled.jpg)LitoGomez,TonyGomez ![LoidadeKycek,SebastianAbreu,ChristianKycek,VictoriaUmpiere at Cigars in Paradise in Casa de campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/LoidadeKycekSebastianAbreuChristianKycekVictoriaUmpiere-scaled.jpg)LoidadeKycek,SebastianAbreu,ChristianKycek,VictoriaUmpiere ![LynnetDiez,JoseSoto at Cigars in Paradise in Casa de Campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/LynnetDiezJoseSoto2-scaled.jpg)LynnetDiez,JoseSoto ![MarlenyCabrera,JhonPaulGarrido,SergioVillanueva,ElianBatista at Cigars in Paradise in Casa de Campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MarlenyCabreraJhonPaulGarridoSergioVillanuevaElianBatista-scaled.jpg)MarlenyCabrera,JhonPaulGarrido,SergioVillanueva,ElianBatista ![MartayMiguelSubero at Cigars in Paradise in Casa de Campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MartayMiguelSubero3-scaled.jpg)MartayMiguelSubero ![MekhiPhifer,NathanMonoshevich at Cigars in Paradise in Casa de Campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MekhiPhiferNathanMonoshevich-scaled.jpg)MekhiPhifer,NathanMonoshevich ![PhillipBrewster,WilsonAlers at Cigars in Paradise in Casa de Campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PhillipBrewsterWilsonAlers-scaled.jpg)PhillipBrewster,WilsonAlers ![RaquelQuesada,HaroldCuellar at Cigars in Paradise in Casa de Campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/RaquelQuesadaHaroldCuellar-scaled.jpg)RaquelQuesada,HaroldCuellar ![RubenGonzalez,JasonKycek,BarryAbrams at Cigars in Paradise in Casa de Campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/RubenGonzalezJasonKycekBarryAbrams2-scaled.jpg)RubenGonzalez,JasonKycek,BarryAbrams ![SeminarioCigarsinParadise](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SeminarioCigarsinParadise-scaled.jpg) ![SherylNeilson,VirginiaPhillips at Cigars in Paradise in Casa de Campo](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SherylNeilsonVirginiaPhillips-scaled.jpg)SherylNeilson,VirginiaPhillips ![WascarAracena](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WascarAracena-scaled.jpg) ![AlexYaryurayBrahimSelman](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AlexYaryurayBrahimSelman-scaled.jpg) ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: Why did Casa de Campo launch Cigars in Paradise in the first place?** A: Casa de Campo created Cigars in Paradise to turn the Dominican Republic’s cigar tradition into a luxury event built around cigars, rum, golf, and Caribbean hospitality. The festival also reflects the resort’s setting as a place where guests can slow down and enjoy premium pairings instead of rushing through a typical nightlife program. That mix is what makes the event feel like a lifestyle experience, not just a tasting. **Q: What kind of experience did guests get at Cigars in Paradise?** A: Guests got a four-day program that mixed education, tastings, dining, and entertainment at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas. The event brought together cigar brands from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras with premium rum producers, plus 28 premium cigar stands at the Marina Riverside Center. That setup matters because it gave both seasoned aficionados and newcomers a chance to compare cigars, pair them with drinks, and learn in one place. **Q: Was Cigars in Paradise only for serious cigar smokers?** A: No. The festival was built for seasoned aficionados and newcomers alike, which is why the program included seminars, tastings, dining, and social nights instead of only competition smoking. Casa de Campo made the event broad enough for people who wanted to learn about tobacco cultivation, blending techniques, aging, or just enjoy cigars with rum in a luxury setting. That wider mix is what helps an event like this reach beyond hardcore cigar fans. **Q: What made the Cigar Smoking World Championship qualifier such a big deal?** A: The official Dominican Republic Qualifier for the Cigar Smoking World Championship gave the festival real competitive weight. Participants were judged on patience, consistency, and technique, with the chance to represent the Dominican Republic at the CSWC World Championship. That matters because it turned part of the weekend into a serious test of skill, not just a social smoking event. **Q: What was the best part of the festival nights at Casa de Campo?** A: The two festival nights at Casa de Campo’s Marina were where the event felt most alive. Guests moved through premium cigar experiences from brands in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras while also getting curated rum tastings, gourmet culinary offerings, live entertainment, and waterfront lounges. That combination worked because it kept the focus on conversation and pace rather than rushing from one activity to another.