I’ve been to a lot of cigar events over the years.

Some are built around buying cigars. Some revolve around hanging out with friends. Some are bucket-list experiences you have to hit…at least once.

I’m not sure there’s such a thing as the perfect cigar event. But if there is, Cigars in Paradise at Casa de Campo just made a very convincing argument.

Welcome Reception

From the welcome reception Thursday evening until the final goodbyes on Sunday morning, the weekend was first class…in a setting that is tough to beat.

The cigars were outstanding. The food never disappointed. The setting wasn’t just spectacular. It immediately lowered your blood pressure (if you brought any along with you).

More importantly, the people behind the event understood something many festivals overlook…the cigars may bring everyone together, but the overall experience is what makes people want to come back.

The weekend began with a welcome reception on the beach, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to kick off any cigar festival. Palm trees, ocean views, premium cigars, cocktails, and conversations that started almost immediately. It never felt like registration day. They hit the ground running.

With that big of a setup, I was thinking our hosts might be overselling the next night. I was wrong.

Don’t Call It An ‘Exhibit Hall’

Friday and Saturday evenings moved to another section of Casa de Campo where organizers created a boutique-style festival featuring premium cigar manufacturers, each with their own space.

Calling it an exhibit hall doesn’t really do it justice. It felt more like strolling through a neighborhood of cigar makers than walking rows of trade show booths. Each brand had its own identity, but the event itself never disappeared into the background. That’s harder to pull off than it sounds. Most multi-brand events either become a trade show or a collection of pop-up booths. This managed to feel like neither.

What surprised me most wasn’t the number of manufacturers attending. It was how available they were to each and every person that was looking for face time. Consumers weren’t simply collecting cigars and moving on to the next booth. They were having conversations.

Whether it was Nish Patel from Rocky Patel, K.C. Johnson representing Tatuaje, Tom Lazuka from Asylum, or many of the other familiar faces throughout the weekend, attendees had the opportunity to spend real time with the people behind the brands.

Questions were answered. Stories were shared. Pictures were taken. That kind of accessibility for consumers is becoming increasingly rare, and it made the event feel personal.

Even better, Friday and Saturday nights weren’t simply repeats of each other. The venue may have stayed the same, but the experience felt fresh both nights.

But it wasn’t all about the nights…

The biggest challenge during the day wasn’t finding something to do. It was deciding what to skip. For me, that meant finally taking on the newly redesigned Teeth of the Dog golf course before heading over to The Links course the following day.

Others spent their time enjoying the beach, relaxing by the pool, skeet shooting, horseback riding, or exploring the incredible Casa de Campo property. And that just might be one of the event’s biggest strengths. You’re never sitting around waiting for the next scheduled activity. You’re already enjoying yourself.

Nobody seemed to be in a hurry. That’s becoming one of the rarest luxuries in the cigar world.

Up close and personal cigar panels

Both Friday and Saturday also featured cigar panel discussions hosted by Erik Calvino of Cigar Snob Magazine and George Brightman (who somehow knows everyone in the cigar industry.

Friday’s discussion included Litto Gomez of LFD, Miguel Schoedel of Crowned Heads, and KC Johnson of Tatuaje. Saturday welcomed Tony Gomez, Nish Patel, and Tom Lazuka.

Both sessions struck the right balance between education and entertainment, offering plenty of insight while never taking themselves too seriously.

Saturday afternoon also hosted a qualifier for the World Cigar Smoking Championship. Only one competitor earned the trip to Croatia, but everyone watching quickly realized that smoking a cigar slowly is much harder than it sounds. Especially when you’re trying to win.

As I said at the onset, there are plenty of cigar events people attend once because it’s on the bucket list. Cigars in Paradise didn’t feel like that.

This felt like the kind of event you start planning for again before you’ve even unpacked your suitcase.

Although the weekend is centered around premium cigars, cigars are really just the common thread that brings everyone together. The bigger attraction is spending several days with people who appreciate slowing down. That might mean enjoying a cigar, sipping a great rum, playing a round of golf, watching the sunset over the marina, or simply spending uninterrupted time with friends and family.

Even spouses who have little interest in cigars would have no trouble filling an entire weekend here.

The downside?

It’s tough to be critical of anything, especially considering this was the inaugural event. Every first-year festival finds ways to improve. Schedules get refined. New ideas get added. Organizers learn what worked even better than expected.

If this is where Cigars in Paradise begins, that’s probably the most impressive part. The foundation is already there.

Casa de Campo provides one of the most beautiful settings you’ll find anywhere in the cigar world. The manufacturers embraced the format. The attendees clearly enjoyed themselves. Everything felt organized without feeling overproduced.

Final thought….Some cigar events leave you with a bag full of cigars. The best ones leave you looking at next year’s calendar. Cigars in Paradise left me doing the latter.

Questions We Can Already Hear Coming

What is Cigars in Paradise?

Cigars in Paradise is (hoping to be) an annual luxury cigar festival held at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic. The event combines premium cigars, educational panels, golf, world-class dining, rum, live entertainment, and direct access to some of the biggest names in the cigar industry.

Where is Cigars in Paradise held?

The event takes place at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in La Romana, Dominican Republic. The 7,000-acre resort is known for luxury accommodations, beaches, golf, a full-service marina, Altos de Chavón, and one of the most cigar-friendly environments you’ll find anywhere.

What makes Cigars in Paradise different from other cigar festivals?

The atmosphere. Rather than feeling like a trade show where attendees rush from booth to booth, Cigars in Paradise encourages conversations. Guests spend real time with cigar makers while enjoying a luxury resort and a full schedule of activities.

Do you have to play golf to enjoy Cigars in Paradise?

Not at all. Golf is only one part of the experience. Guests can spend their days at the beach, by the pool, horseback riding, skeet shooting, attending cigar seminars, exploring Altos de Chavón, or simply relaxing with a great cigar.

Can spouses or non-smokers enjoy the event?

Absolutely. While cigars are the centerpiece, the event is really about the overall experience. Great food, tropical scenery, live music, luxury accommodations, and countless activities make it an easy trip for couples, even if only one person enjoys cigars. We met plenty of non-smokers who were attending the event.

Is Cigars in Paradise worth attending?

Based on the inaugural event, without hesitation. If this is the foundation the organizers have built in year one, it’s easy to see why many attendees will already be planning a return trip.

Will Cigars in Paradise become an annual event?

That’s certainly the goal, and after attending the inaugural event, it’s easy to imagine this becoming one of the cigar industry’s signature annual destinations.

What was the Itinerary in 2026?