La Aurora is the Dominican Republic's oldest cigar manufacturer, founded in 1903, and one of the few you can visit on a casual walk-in basis. The original factory rooms are part of the Centro León complex, with a glass viewing wall that lets visitors watch the bunchers and rollers work through the entire process — from sorting leaves to the final cellophane wrap.
The on-site shop sells the full range and will hand-roll a custom cigar if you ask. The torcedores are happy to chat between batches. For anyone with even a passing interest in cigars, this is the best stop in Santiago. Tours and viewing during museum opening hours.