Location
  • Dominican Republic
Length
1 - 4 weeks
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Hotel Lodge
Language
English
Age Min.
14
Age Max
18

Pricing

Starting Price
0
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare
Feb 27, 2024
Jul 13, 2024
70 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Since Rustic Pathways started its first Dominican Republic programs in 2012, our goal has been to emphasize the people over the places. While our staff and students adore the pristine beaches and idyllic settings, our programs go much deeper than the average tourist’s trip.

Each program in the Dominican Republic dives deep into service opportunities, whether through community development, environmental stewardship, or public health, and allows our students to connect with members of the communities where they serve.

While you’ll be sure to enjoy the picturesque beaches and tranquil mountains, you’ll also understand what life is really like for Dominican people. Next to resorts lie marginalized, impoverished communities called bateyes. Dominicans face many challenges and they have big hearts, warm personalities, and enjoy sharing their fun-loving culture.

Video and Photos

Popular Programs

Dominican Republic Public Health

Work alongside health care professionals on high-impact public health projects across the Dominican Republic. Explore the diverse regions of this beautiful Caribbean island while immersing yourself in local culture and practicing your Spanish in a healthcare setting. Identify the health needs of rural, urban, wealthy, and impoverished communities and help develop meaningful public service initiatives.

Dominican Republic Marine Conservation

Explore the crystal blue waters of Bayahibe Bay and the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Work alongside marine biologists to rebuild the coral reef habitat that is home to many marine species, including manatees, dolphins and sea turtles. Learn biological techniques to monitor sea animals in the wild. Get muddy as you work to rebuild the mangrove swamps of Los Haitises National Park. Contribute to antipollution projects with local ecological organizations.

Dominican Republic service

Explore mangroves, reef formations, and marine wildlife at Los Haitises National Park and Samaná peninsula. Get your hands dirty as you work on ecological restoration projects and learn from experts and communities about the efforts to maintain the extensive biodiversity of the region. Venture to hidden caverns to see ancient Taino cave paintings, and soak up the sun on some of the island’s most beautiful beaches.

Program Reviews

4.85 Rating
based on 68 reviews
  • 5 rating 85.29%
  • 4 rating 14.71%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.8
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.65
  • Value 4.65
  • Safety 4.9
  • Growth 4.8
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.7
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 68 reviews
Default avatar
Olympia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fun

I loved this experience it was amazing and bombousling because I really indulged in the impressive , amazing and outstanding culture . It was very interesting as I lees we many new things about the oceans and the texts of the climate change . It was also very interesting because the culture was different from Europe and I got to try new foods and different weather and interact with the Dominican people . I loved this trip but I wish i could have spent more time in the water , however even with four piro le in out group I had lots of funnn .

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
When we went to the kids camp and they stopped eating to give their food to their parents , when we did the turtle walk and negro does that for free.
Pros
  • Beautiful sea
  • Yummy food
  • New experiences
Cons
  • Lots of humidity
  • Very warm
  • Catcalling
30 people found this review helpful.
Response from Rustic Pathways

Hi Olympia! Thank you so much for joining us in the Dominican Republic! Getting to try new things (like food) and learn about new cultures is the best part of travel. We hope you join us next summer too!

Default avatar
Olivia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

learning experience

i really enjoyed everything i did, the experiences were amazing and i learned a lot from them. it was really outstanding the effort the people put into giving us the best trip and making us feel safe and comfortable. the guides were really enticing and fun to be around. the sights were absolutely amazing and beautiful. the kids camp was so fun and it was amazing bonding with the kids and making new friends and memories. the instructors of Fundmar were amazing and they helped us learn everything about the world.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
the most surprising thing i saw was the drive and passion that Negro has with the turtles and the amount of mosquitos that we saw
Pros
  • experienced a new culture
  • amazing sights
  • boat rides
Cons
  • the heat
  • mosquitos
  • initial weather
30 people found this review helpful.
Response from Rustic Pathways

Hi Olivia! We're so happy to hear you had a great time making new memories and friends! Thank you for joining us in the Dominican Republic, and we hope to see you again next summer!

Default avatar
Maria
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Learning experience

I have learnt a lot in this experience, I have learnt that we have to save this planet. We have to help the fish and save their habitat. They have organized really well the program, we have got to see many different things. And I have learnt a lot about this country. It is really fun doing things with your group, and it is really fun because you get to know new people from different places. Overall it is a really fun experience which I really recommend to everyone. You will learn a lot and gain a lot of experience.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I saw was the amount of mosquitos in Saona Island
Pros
  • Learnt a lot
  • Had a lot of fun
  • Experienced a different culture
Cons
  • Cat calling
  • Lots of walking
  • It’s really hot
29 people found this review helpful.
Response from Rustic Pathways

Hi Maria! We're so happy to hear you had a great time and learned a lot on your travel program. Thank you for joining us in the Dominican Republic, and we hope to see you again next summer!

Default avatar
Alex
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Dominican Republic service trip

I had an awesome time on my trip to the Dominican Republic. It was one of the most fun weeks of my life. Rustic certainly helped to make that experience complete. We had awesome group leaders who showed us all the coolest places. There isn’t really much I would change about the trip. It was well put together and it was certainly a profound experience for my life. I was able to grow as a person and create new memories with my friends. I got to learn a new culture and improve my Spanish as well. Overall it was a great trip.

35 people found this review helpful.
Response from Rustic Pathways

Hi Alex! We're so glad you had one of the greatest weeks of your life in the Dominican Republic. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to see you next summer!

Default avatar
Mia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer Camp Leadership Program

This summer, I traveled to the Dominican Republic to work in a summer camp for thirty local children ages 9-13. The Summer Camp Leadership program was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had. I went on this trip alone and I was very scared to meet new people. I was nervous that no one would like me or that I would get homesick. It is nerve-racking to go to a completely new country, not knowing the language, people, or culture. Straight off the bat, I felt welcomed by the amazing program leaders and the other caring students. We all really connected by doing ice-breaker games and bonding over our many similar interests. Aside from the six-day summer camp that we ran and the consistent volunteering opportunities we had, this trip consisted of camping in the beautiful mountains, swimming in the crystal clear water, and exploring the cities of Jarabacoa and Santo Domingo. When I signed up for this program, I did not know what to expect. I knew that I wanted to work with children but did not fully understand how I would approach this foreign community. Throughout these 16 days, I learned how to communicate with people from different backgrounds and, most importantly, I learned what it means to be a leader. I realized that communication is the utmost important part of being a good leader. As I learned from the first couple of days of running the summer camp, communication is the key to creating a successful and inclusive environment. Although this program was challenging, mentally and physically, I am extremely thankful that I had the opportunity to experience a completely new culture with a new group of friends. I knew that I could always count on the program leaders and my new friends to be by my side throughout the two weeks. Thanks to this trip, I felt a true connection to the people around me and to the work I was doing. I really recommend this trip to anyone who is passionate about being a part of a new community and enjoying every aspect of it.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice for future travelers on this program is to go out of your comfort zone and really try to get to know your program leaders and the other students. The program leaders are all super nice and are there to help you with whatever it may be. Whether you are homesick or just need a high five, you can always count on the program leaders to be there. If you decided to go solo, I guarantee you that most of the students on this trip also came alone and it is important to befriend as many people as possible. By going out of your comfort zone and meeting new people, your experience in the Dominican Republic will only get better.
115 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Natalie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer Camp Leadership

This summer, I went on my first service trip. I went to the airport, terrified. I was scared of meeting people, scared of leaving the country, and not knowing the language. I came back from my trip, excited, passionate, and ready to continue exploring. Throughout my trip I learned so many things that have improved my outlook on the world. From the first day, I started to fall in love with the country, the culture, and the people I was meeting. I quickly became close with everyone in my program through team bonding and leadership games, making all the rest of my fears a lot easier to handle. The amount of service was well balanced with exciting adventures. One of the most memorable nights was camping in the mountain town of Jarabacoa. We took a four-hour ride on a safari truck to get there and then spent the afternoon hiking to a swimming hole. When we got back, we played with the local children while their family cooked us a traditional domination dinner. Before spending a night in tents, we made a fire and sat with the family while they told us ghost stories. This experience was one of many that made me so thankful for this adventure.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Embrace the culture, immerse yourself in its every aspect. The food, the dancing, the language, all of these impacted both my experience and what I took away from the program. The Dominican Republic is an amazing place filled with amazing people and during the time that you're there taking a moment to absorb it all will truly enhance your experience.
105 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Nicolas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Adventures in the Dominican Republic

When I first signed up for the trip to the Dominican Republic I did not know what to expect, since I didn't have any prior knowledge about the country. This trip with Rustic Pathways was my first time visiting the Dominican Republic, and I have to say it was a very interesting experience. I am from Mexico, and I decided to embark on this Rustic trip with a couple of my friends. It was a lot of fun to go on a trip like this with my friends from home, but another part of a trip like this that is a highlight is getting to know other people, which for me are from a different culture. It was a really fun and enriching experience to get to know a group of new people so well and work alongside them on service. That was another highlight of my trip, the service. As a group, we got to work on tons of different service projects in the country. We did beach cleanups and coral reef observations with an organization called FUNDEMAR. Here we got to see the beauty of the ocean that surrounds the Dominican Republic, and the environment we were trying to help protect. Another part of the service was planning and executing a day camp for some kids at a local school. I am lucky enough to be bilingual and being able to understand the kids was interesting for me because I got to get a better understanding of their lives, and the similarities between the Caribbean and Latin American countries. Although, this doesn't mean that you have to speak Spanish. Quite the contrary actually, the English speaking members of my had an even more interesting time laughing while they tried to understand the kids and have the kids understand them. Overall, this program was a lot of fun, and it allowed me to experience the culture and the environment of a new country.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I feel like the most surprising thing that I ate wasn't one specific thing, but more just the general food that they have. It's not that the food is weird or bad at all, it was really good. But when I went there I kind of assumed that it would be really similar to Mexican food. And I was extremely surprised when I realized that Dominican food has absolutely NOTHING spicy. No chile or salsa or anything like that. I was really surprised at how different it was.
112 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Molly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life in the Bateyes Experience!

My Rustic Pathways experience was incredible. From the moment I met my fellow travelers in the airport, I was overwhelmed with a sense of community and excitement. Throughout the trip, it was completely life changing to see the different ways of life in these developing communities and it gave me perspective. Not only did my Rustic experience change the lives of the communities we partnered with, it changed my own life significantly. While I was living in this new country for two weeks, learning Spanish from community members, and developing teamwork, I found confidence and fueled my curiosity. I would highly recommend this program to any traveler looking to broaden their understanding and perception of the world, complete deeply meaningful community work alongside new friends, and indulge themselves in a unique culture.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If you approach this experience with an open mind, you will gain so much from this program. By engaging with culture and experience, you will have a life changing experience that opens your perspective to different cultures, lifestyles, and realities for these communities. It is amazingly eye-opening.
97 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers