Cigar friendly resorts in Punta Cana or Mexico

[TheCigarslayer]

Looking to find a resort to take the girl to that is very cigar friendly and I’m struggling to find any decent ones that also allow smoking. Any suggestions? Cuba is out unfortunately. 

[unclepauly25]

Not sure what resorts in Mexico allow smoking, however when I go I try to get a room with a balcony, I usually smoke several cigars out there and never had any problems. 

[MooseAMuffin]

7 hours ago, unclepauly25 said:

Not sure what resorts in Mexico allow smoking, however when I go I try to get a room with a balcony, I usually smoke several cigars out there and never had any problems. 

Agreed. Smoked on the room balcony in Mexico and Punta Cana.

In Punta Cana, stayed at The Excellence. Really enjoyed it. Bring your own cigars, the ones in the shop were on the costly side and there were no Cubans. Water can be rough at times so there wasnt much swimming but I definitely enjoyed the place. This is adults only. 

In Mexico we stayed at TRS Yucatan. Its adults only but connected to other resorts that do allow kids. The places to eat are shared by the resorts so you will be dining with families. Didnt bother my wife and I at all, we couldnt care less, but there were some couples staying at our resort who complained about it. So if you're wanting something super romantic, this might not be the place for you. Anyway, there is a private beach for TRS guests only and the first day we went there, my wife and I were the only people not smoking something. In the bar at TRS, they were selling some Cubans but they were priced as such and I couldnt verify authenticity so I smoked my own. Water was nice. 

Anyway, that's my experience. Im sure most places accommodate it. 

[Corylax18]

I've never been to Punta Cana, but I stayed at several RIU properties along the Mayan Riviera 6 to 9 years ago. They were all very tobacco friendly, then. One even had a roller that was supposedly rolling cuban leaf. The cigars were tasty and approachable when fresh.

I believe the company is European owned, so you'll meet a lot of Europeans and Canadians. It seems like smoking in general is (or was) more acceptable to the Europeans. The Grand Palladium is 4 connected resorts, all under the same ownership, so you can bounce around between the different pools and restaurants. This is the resort that had the roller. The RIU Palace, just south of Playa del Carmen was more upscale and there were far fewer families with young kids. But was also very tobacco friendly. 

The LCDH's in both Cancun and Playa del Carmen are nice, but Mexican tobacco taxes are crazy high, and you can only bring 50 sticks out with you before you have to pay more taxes at the airport. 

[Chibearsv]

I've stayed at Hard Rock resort in Punta Cana several times.  Cigars on the patio of your room is just fine.  I think in general, nobody cared if I lit up a cigar anywhere outside.  It's always hot, but a shady spot, a good book, plenty of water, and a stack of cigars is my usual routine there.  The cigar shop at this resort was pricey on all their cigars but especially Cubans; but it's a vacation resort so no giant surprise there.  At least they are available on premises.  The dudes selling Cubans on the beach are only dealing in fakes so buyer beware.  

[Puros Y Vino]

Have had many cigars at Mexican resorts.

It's not expressly forbidden except in restaurants and your room.  Balcony is OK.

You want to find an Adults Only resort.  It'll just save you a lot of trouble smoking wise.

Some of the places I've been to and smoked my face off.

• Excellence Mayan Riviera
• Excellence Playa Mujeres
• El Dorado Seaside Resort
• El Dorado Royale
• Secrets Huatulco

The odd resort even had indoor cigar lounges.  

Typically I've had no issues. The odd look from people here and there.  But in general,I've smoked cigars by the pool, walking on the beach, sitting in their outdoor theatres watching a show, at outdoor bars and on my hotel balcony.  I've only had 1 incident.  The guy went to complain to the staff. I saw the manager shrug his shoulders from across the way and the whiner walked away in shame.    The fool didn't realize he had to walk by 4 ashtrays embedded into the walkways to get to the management staff to complain.  

One thing to be aware of. I believe there is a limit of 25 cigars per person you can bring into Mexico duty free. Check their website to be sure.  Oh and Reposado or Anejo Tequilas go great with most cigars too.  

 

 

[MigsG]

Yeah 25 cigars per person into Mexico. I bring like 35 and just "veinte Cinco, mas o menos." 

[TheCigarslayer]

7 hours ago, MigsG said:

Yeah 25 cigars per person into Mexico. I bring like 35 and just "veinte Cinco, mas o menos." 

 

7 hours ago, MigsG said:

Yeah 25 cigars per person into Mexico. I bring like 35 and just "veinte Cinco, mas o menos." 

Oh wow....I was planning on bringing my usual assortment (travel 50 count). Do they really enforce that? If so I may just stick to punta cana. I rarely smoke fresh stuff and was planning on bringing my own. 

[TheCigarslayer]

13 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

I've stayed at Hard Rock resort in Punta Cana several times.  Cigars on the patio of your room is just fine.  I think in general, nobody cared if I lit up a cigar anywhere outside.  It's always hot, but a shady spot, a good book, plenty of water, and a stack of cigars is my usual routine there.  The cigar shop at this resort was pricey on all their cigars but especially Cubans; but it's a vacation resort so no giant surprise there.  At least they are available on premises.  The dudes selling Cubans on the beach are only dealing in fakes so buyer beware.  

This was a place I was eyeing up. Yea I've heard all about the prevalent fakes and never bought overseas except LCDHs. 

 

My plan was to smoke at least a cigar a day, and enjoy the warm weather with the lady. 

[TheCigarslayer]

13 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

I've never been to Punta Cana, but I stayed at several RIU properties along the Mayan Riviera 6 to 9 years ago. They were all very tobacco friendly, then. One even had a roller that was supposedly rolling cuban leaf. The cigars were tasty and approachable when fresh.

I believe the company is European owned, so you'll meet a lot of Europeans and Canadians. It seems like smoking in general is (or was) more acceptable to the Europeans. The Grand Palladium is 4 connected resorts, all under the same ownership, so you can bounce around between the different pools and restaurants. This is the resort that had the roller. The RIU Palace, just south of Playa del Carmen was more upscale and there were far fewer families with young kids. But was also very tobacco friendly. 

The LCDH's in both Cancun and Playa del Carmen are nice, but Mexican tobacco taxes are crazy high, and you can only bring 50 sticks out with you before you have to pay more taxes at the airport. 

Yea I heard to not even bother buying in Mexico, hell I rarely even buy in Europe when I travel due to the high taxes. Spain was an excellent blessing as I found a little shop that had a great aged stock and Spain's taxes are very low. 

[Chibearsv]

4 hours ago, TheCigarslayer said:

This was a place I was eyeing up. Yea I've heard all about the prevalent fakes and never bought overseas except LCDHs. 

 

My plan was to smoke at least a cigar a day, and enjoy the warm weather with the lady. 

I like your plan.

It's a pretty nice resort and I'm not generally an all-inclusive fan.  The place is HUGE so prepare to walk; although they have golf cart shuttles if needed.  Rooms are great, food's not too bad for an all inclusive.  Beach is really nice with cabanas you can reserve that have waitress service.  Even the golf course is pretty good.  Don't expect to win at the casino and don't expect broadway at the theater.

[OrdinarySmoke]

I stayed at the Paradisus La Perla in Playa del Carmen a few years ago and didn't have any issues when smoking cigars.  They have several open air patios (with bars) that are perfect.  

No issues with smoking on the patio outside our room either.  

Great place. Can't wait to get back!

 

[MigsG]

15 hours ago, TheCigarslayer said:

 

Oh wow....I was planning on bringing my usual assortment (travel 50 count). Do they really enforce that? If so I may just stick to punta cana. I rarely smoke fresh stuff and was planning on bringing my own. 

Well, I've noticed, if you say yes you have tobacco at customs before pressing the button, it always turns RED. LOL!

I just kid with the agent (especially if a woman) and say it's vacation and there could be parties, so gotta come prepared. I've never had an agent count the sticks. They normally roll their eyes and let me through.

Can you really smoke 50 in a week to 2? I bring 35 for a month and don't ever finish them.

[Rhinoww]

I’ve been to the hard rock in punta Cana a few times. Easy enough to find a shaded chair looking out at the seat and smoke a cigar. Screen saver on my phone was taken there over my feet w a Monte 2 in my other hand. 
 

have also been to one of the melia resorts which was a bit nicer. Larger rooms/suites w large patios. Lots of smaller pools. And real Cubans for sale but at a price and fresh. I actually spent enough time w a guy at the beach selling fakes that he finally admitted all he had were Dominican sticks but that he also ran the cigar stand at a nearby luxury place. I met him there and we worked something out to meet my vacation needs as they say. Cigars were legit or exceptional fakes that tasted just like the real deal so I was either taken for a ride I don’t care about or got real cigars. In any event the other husbands on that trip were quite pleased w my efforts. The ladies not so much. 
 

if you have access to the Priority Clubs at airports they have an interesting lounge in the internal departures. Outdoor space AND a pool. Bring your suit and a plastic bag and take a swim at the airport. I think you can also pay to get in for around $30

[TheCigarslayer]

2 hours ago, Rhinoww said:

I’ve been to the hard rock in punta Cana a few times. Easy enough to find a shaded chair looking out at the seat and smoke a cigar. Screen saver on my phone was taken there over my feet w a Monte 2 in my other hand. 
 

have also been to one of the melia resorts which was a bit nicer. Larger rooms/suites w large patios. Lots of smaller pools. And real Cubans for sale but at a price and fresh. I actually spent enough time w a guy at the beach selling fakes that he finally admitted all he had were Dominican sticks but that he also ran the cigar stand at a nearby luxury place. I met him there and we worked something out to meet my vacation needs as they say. Cigars were legit or exceptional fakes that tasted just like the real deal so I was either taken for a ride I don’t care about or got real cigars. In any event the other husbands on that trip were quite pleased w my efforts. The ladies not so much. 
 

if you have access to the Priority Clubs at airports they have an interesting lounge in the internal departures. Outdoor space AND a pool. Bring your suit and a plastic bag and take a swim at the airport. I think you can also pay to get in for around $30

Oh I do have basically all the club access (Amex, priority pass, etc big traveler for work). Interesting note!!

 

if I’m buying sticks in Central America outside of Cuba I’m buying local stuff (hand rolls, etc) 

[TheCigarslayer]

3 hours ago, MigsG said:

Well, I've noticed, if you say yes you have tobacco at customs before pressing the button, it always turns RED. LOL!

I just kid with the agent (especially if a woman) and say it's vacation and there could be parties, so gotta come prepared. I've never had an agent count the sticks. They normally roll their eyes and let me through.

Can you really smoke 50 in a week to 2? I bring 35 for a month and don't ever finish them.

I just like to bring a lot of options as I don’t know what I’ll want to do when I’m there (ton of minutos, a few double Coronas, robustos, what marca?). I guess I’m so spoiled at home with the choices I like to replicate that on vacation. 

[Rhinoww]

40 minutes ago, TheCigarslayer said:

Oh I do have basically all the club access (Amex, priority pass, etc big traveler for work). Interesting note!!

 

if I’m buying sticks in Central America outside of Cuba I’m buying local stuff (hand rolls, etc) 

I found out about this club using the LoungeBuddy app. To say my family enjoyed one last Presedente with their feet in the pool at the airport would be an understatement. The end of vacation sucks, but that club took a bit of the edge off. 
 

Have a great trip. 

[TheCigarslayer]

3 hours ago, MigsG said:

Well, I've noticed, if you say yes you have tobacco at customs before pressing the button, it always turns RED. LOL!

I just kid with the agent (especially if a woman) and say it's vacation and there could be parties, so gotta come prepared. I've never had an agent count the sticks. They normally roll their eyes and let me through.

Can you really smoke 50 in a week to 2? I bring 35 for a month and don't ever finish them.

I just like to bring a lot of options as I don’t know what I’ll want to do when I’m there (ton of minutos, a few double Coronas, robustos, what marca?). I guess I’m so spoiled at home with the choices I like to replicate that on vacation. 

[pedrito007]

Been to Playa Del Carmen about 18 months ago and had absolutely no issues with smoking cigars. Basically you can smoke em anywhere outdoors on the resort. I was smoking poolside, on the beach, at outdoor bars and the outdoor theatres, also on the room balcony. 

As folk have said already on this thread, cigar prices in Mexico are ridiculous due to the tax, especially Cubans. I did find a shop that rolled sticks from local tobacco so bought a few of them to try and they were really nice, worth trying if you enjoy NCs.

Beware of the beach vendors selling 'genuine' cubans in the glass top boxes, Fauxhibas as some folk call them.

I'd certainly take my own sticks with me, as someone said you're only allowed to bring in 25 cigars but that's per person so assuming your other half doesn't smoke cigars you could bring in up to 50 by using both persons allowances! 

 

[Nicoli]

On 2/15/2020 at 12:23 AM, TheCigarslayer said:

 

Oh wow....I was planning on bringing my usual assortment (travel 50 count). Do they really enforce that? If so I may just stick to punta cana. I rarely smoke fresh stuff and was planning on bringing my own. 

If you are not traveling alone, you are done, each adult person can introduce 25 cigars each one.

[TheCigarslayer]

3 hours ago, Nicoli said:

If you are not traveling alone, you are done, each adult person can introduce 25 cigars each one.

Yea I always forget about pack muling the SO with cigars. I have be careful though...the last one ended up picking up cigar smoking and there went my limit (and humidor raids!) 

[Bill Hayes]

I stayed here with my Mrs. https://www.unicohotelrivieramaya.com/  All inclusive adults only but closer to Playa del Carmen and Tullum. It had a cigar bar and you could smoke on your balcony. Spa tub on the balcony too. I would bring my own cigars though. I had a few customs left over from Havana that I enjoyed. If you want to just laze by the pool and maybe go on a day trip to the cenotes etc then it's not a bad option. The Italian restaurant was the best of the resort's restaurants. There was also Japanese/Asian and Mexican restaurants.