Sunday, January 18, 2026 marked the official kick off day for Nicaragua’s 13th annual Puro Sabor Cigar Festival.
Last year, travel-weary festival goers were received by the welcome team in the capital of Managua before being ushered in a convoy of busses for an hour-plus trek to the town of Grenada. This year, thankfully, we’re been able to drop anchor in Managua for the night before embarking to the lovely colonial town early tomorrow morning.
Truthfully, I’m very much looking forward to enjoying an eggs, fried plantains with rice and beans-heavy desayuno (breakfast) before the trip.
After landing, it’s a mere three minute bus ride from Managua’s Augusto César Sandino airport to the elegant Camino Real Hotel, where festival goers are greeted by a smiling fleet of Puro Sabor welcome staff, who will also serve as our helpful guides in the coming days.
After stepping through the hotel doors, I say hello to fellow Cigar Journal writer Nick Hammond who is lighting his first cigar of the festival with PCA’s Ricardo Carrioni. I’m quickly registered and then handed a cold Toña beer, before receiving a cache of festival items including a handmade Ortez leather portfolio, Flor de Caña rum, ground Nicaraguan coffee, and the festival pièce de résistance, the official Puro Sabor boxed collection of cigars.
Like last year, I’m instantly taken back by how dark-colored the cigars are. Yes, there’s been a small peppering of Connecticut-wrappered cigars in there (including a nice Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne Series), but by and large, it swiftly paints a picture of the bold and spicy character of Nicaraguan cigars.
After registering, I’m afforded a bit respite with a new Karen Berger Ixteli cigar by the pool, before polishing up and attending the welcome dinner at the Camino Real. Here, I’m given a handful cigars by Rocky Patel and Villager, and choose to enjoy a Rocky Patel Gold Label while conversing with new and familiar friends who have travelled from the U.S., England, Belgium, and a squad of five Hungarian gentlemen who are doing they’re utmost to rally after a 28-hour trip that started in Budapest, before passing through Amsterdam and Panama, prior to finally touching down in Nicaragua.
Given everyone’s travels, the welcome dinner is relatively serene and calm, and is enjoyed in a lovely open air courtyard within the hotel.
I say my goodbyes and manage to turn in at decent hour to hopefully be fresh-faced for tomorrow’s journey to historic Grenada. All in all, it’s been a smooth and first day.
