The luxury Dominican destination of La Romana’s Casa de Campo Resort & Villas has marked a new milestone for the global premium cigar and luxury lifestyle space, playing host to the first-ever Casa de Campo Cigars in Paradise® festival between June 25 and 27. The three-day gathering drew a diverse crowd of cigar lovers, top industry executives, and international visitors, all united to celebrate the craft of premium tobacco and artisanal luxury spirits.
Event organizers confirmed following the conclusion of the festival that the gathering will return yearly as a permanent staple on the global luxury events calendar, while also boosting the Dominican Republic’s standing as one of the world’s leading producers of premium quality cigars. The country has long been celebrated for its ideal climate and expert tobacco cultivation, and this new event cements that reputation on an international stage.
Beyond the core celebration of cigars, the festival curated a full roster of exclusive luxury experiences for guests. Attendees had the opportunity to tee off at the world-famous Teeth of the Dog golf course, one of the most highly regarded tropical courses in the Caribbean, take guided tours of the historic Brugal rum distillery to learn about Dominican rum craftsmanship, and join educational seminars led by internationally recognized cigar experts that deepened knowledge of tobacco blending, aging, and appreciation. Evening social events showcased 28 of the most respected premium cigar brands from across the globe, giving attendees the chance to sample rare and exclusive blends. The guest list also included several high-profile celebrities, such as Puerto Rican actress Roselyn Sánchez, American actor Eric Winter, and veteran Hollywood performer Mekhi Phifer.
A key highlight of the 2025 inaugural festival was hosting the fifth iteration of the Cigar Smoking World Championship, an international competition that draws top participants from across the globe. In this year’s competition, Rafael Solano Portoreal took home the first-place title after achieving a smoking time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 23 seconds.
Organizers noted that the event exceeded expectations, with strong turnout from international attendees and overwhelmingly positive feedback from both guests and participating brands. This successful debut has laid a strong, stable foundation for the festival’s future annual editions, which are expected to grow in size and global reach in coming years.