Spend one week getting to know two distinct communities - a rural mountain village in the Cordillera Central and a marginalized agricultural community called a Batey, originally built for migrant sugar cane workers. Contribute to infrastructure projects that will increase access to water, housing, and sanitation in communities with very different structures and resources. Take a break from service and enjoy the country’s beautiful beaches where you’ll get to swim and relax.

Day 1 | July 6th 2023: Welcome to the Dominican Republic!

Arrive into Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo (SDQ) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head directly to Jarabacoa, a 3.5-hour drive, and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture.

Overnight: Hotel, Jarabacoa

Day 2 | July 7th 2023: Explore Jarabacoa

Learn about the environmental initiatives taking place in the region and the harmonious relationship economic and ecological communities have built around them. Begin your service today by heading deeper into the mountains to help build aqueducts for communities without running water, working on the next steps of an ongoing project that includes prepping, digging, fitting, and finishing plumbing from a dammed river upstream to the nearby homes for water access. You may also participate in similar projects to protect the runoff water from polluting downstream, such as bio-treatment systems.

Overnight: Hotel, Jarabacoa

Day 3 | July 8th 2023: Service in the Mountains

Work on infrastructure projects and take time after service to play a pickup game of baseball with the local kids, share a coffee with neighbors, and get to know the local community. Explore the mountains, eat delicious native food, and learn about local music and history. Discuss your service experience focusing on responsible tourism and water access, making connections between the local ecological and community resources and how they are interconnected.

Overnight: Hotel, Jarabacoa

Day 4 | July 9th 2023: Travel to the Bateyes

Head southeast to the province of San Pedro de Macoris, which is one of the island’s main regions of sugarcane production. Settle into your accommodations and learn about this new environment - a very different ecosystem and economy than the mountains you just left. After a local dinner, your Program Leaders will lead a discussion about this new community and upcoming projects.

Overnight: Hotel or Volunteer Center, San Pedro

Day 5 - 6 | July 10th 2023 - July 11th 2023: Service Projects in Batey Communities

Contribute to ongoing community development projects for sugar cane workers and their families, who are marginalized in substandard housing and lack necessary resources. Work on projects in the Batey community for the next two days, which include infrastructure rehabilitation, health initiatives, or education projects with local children. Spend evenings getting to know the community, music, local cuisine, and history during your time in San Pedro.

Overnight: Hotel or Volunteer Center, San Pedro

Day 7 | July 12th 2023: Tropical Paradise

Wake up early and board the bus to Bayahibe; a beautiful coastal town with white sand beaches and turquoise waters. Take a catamaran tour of Isla Saona, stopping along the way to snorkel and enjoy various beaches. Spend the evening relaxing in this quaint Dominican town.

Overnight: Bayahibe Hotel, Bayahibe, Dominican Republic

Day 8 | July 13th 2023: Explore Santo Domingo

Head back to the capital to the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the first university, cathedral, and hospital in the Americas. Take a tour of the walled city and learn about the deep history of the first European settlement in the Americas. Enjoy a special dinner and dance show at a typical Dominican restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel, Santo Domingo

Day 9 | July 14th 2023: ¡Adiós, Dominican Republic!

Say goodbye to your new friends and to the beautiful DR. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.

Flight Details: Offbeat Travel can book your flights upon request

In the Bateyes students will stay at the ASCALA volunteer facility near the town of Consuelo. Rooming will be bunk style shared lodging with 2-6 people per room. The rooms all have fans we a nice common area and a lot of outdoor space.

In Jarabacoa students will stay at Los Bohios de Campo Añil, which is a country style lodge in the mountains of Jarabacoa. The rooms are all built and decorated in traditional Dominican countryside style. Students will be 2-4 per small Bohio (like a cabin).

• 8 nights of accommodation

• All meals all days

• All transportation

• Offbeat Travel full-time international and local guides

• All activities as detailed in your itinerary

• Single point of contact from Offbeat Travel for support leading up to the program

• Offbeat Travel 24-hour emergency support throughout program

• All airport taxes and departure fees

• All fees, community service donations, and guide tips

Total: $2,702 Ground Cost + Flight

Payment Plan:

• $500 deposit - click below to book

• $500 due Sept. 1

• $500 due Dec. 1

• $500 due March 1

• $702 due April 1 2023

All payments after the initial deposit will be invoiced via email.