Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
late-19th-century dictator Ulises Heureaux, an elaborately carved mahogany altar and im-
pressive stained-glass windows by contemporary Dominican artist Dincón Mora.
Palacio Consistorial
MAP
MUSEUM
GOOGLE MAP
(Parque Duarte; 9am-noon & 2-5pm Mon-Sat)
On the west side of Parque Duarte
you'll find the former town hall and a small museum devoted to the city's colorful history.
If you're here during Carnival, don't miss the huge and stunning display of masks and
fichas
(posters), part of a yearly competition that draws entries from the top artists and
mask-makers from across the country.
Casa del Arte
MAP
ART GALLERY
GOOGLE MAP
( 809-471-7839; Benito Monción 46; 9am-7pm Mon-Sat)
This small gallery displays
Dominican painting, photography and sculpture. Some nights of the week a film club
meets to screen arthouse and good-quality Hollywood flicks (free admission). There's
sometimes live music (from RD$100) and, on Saturdays, live theater (RD$100).
STRAIGHT TO THE STOAGIE SOURCE
Many of the world's top cigar brands are made in and around Santiago - Aurora, Monte-cristo, Arturo
Fuente, to name a few. Many of those name brands contract the work to local, Dominican cigar-
makers, who then offer the 'label-less' cigar to locals and travelers at half the price. It's critical when
buying cigars to test whether they've been made well and stored properly. Pick up the cigar: it should
have a springy tightness, indicating solid construction. If it's too soft or too hard, it won't draw well. It
shouldn't crackle under your fingers either; that means it's too dry, and will smoke like kindling.
Many of the factories are located northeast of Santiago at the foot of the Cordillera Septentrional in
the village of Tamboril (27 de Febrero turns into Carretera Tamboril). The easiest to visit is
La Aur-
ora Parque Industrial
( 809-734-2563; Tamboril; 8am-noon & 2pm-3:30pm), 'affiliated' with
the Centro León which used to have a small Aurora workshop. All of the producers, including
Fab-
rica Anilo de Oro
( 809-580-5808; Tamboril) and
Tabacalera Jacagua
( 809-580-6600; Tam-
boril), offer free tours (most open Monday through Friday) and reservations are preferred.
Tours
Camping Tours
ADVENTURE TOURS
