EXPERIENCE FULL
Dominican Republic Trip
CONCENTRATION
HE
LOCATION
Dominican Republic
DATES
January 17, 2026 - January 24, 2026
EXPERIENCE CONTACT
Rosie Aparicio
ESTIMATED COST
$3,619
DESCRIPTION
Meaningful. Sustainable. Unforgettable. Journey to the Dominican Republic to discover the wonders of its biology — and what you can do to help preserve it — as well as the country's cultural heritage and history.
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Deposit Amount: $95 (non-refundable)
Deposits are due at the time of enrollment.
BECOME IMMERSED IN HISTORY, CULTURE, AND BIOLOGY
Learn about the Dominican Republic's rich history and cultural traditions as well as important ecology issues, such as the effects of overfishing, tourism and climate change on coral reef in the Caribbean before joining the movement to support its restoration. Working together with community members, you’ll collect fragments of naturally broken coral and transplant them back into the reef, and do your part to preserve this important ecosystem.
As you foster meaningful relationships within the community and a deep appreciation for the country's heritage, you’ll celebrate customs and help continue conservation efforts for generation to come.
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ITINERARY
Day 1 | Fly to the Dominican Republic
– Meet your Tour Director at the airport in Santo Domingo, the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. The oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas and the first seat of the Spanish colonial empire in the New World, the city’s rich historic and cultural heritage greets you in an eclectic mix of Victorian houses, palm tree-lined boulevards, ultra-modern shopping centers, and traditional eateries.
Day 2 | Santo Domingo | Jarabacoa
– Dive into island life with an expert-guided sightseeing tour of the city where you will see the Catedral de Santa María la Menor and Ozama Fortress.
– Visit Alcázar de Colón, a palace built by Christopher Columbus’s son in the early 1500s.
– Visit Tres Ojos Caves, a series of caves dotted with freshwater lagoons located in the eastern tip of Parque Mirador del Este.
– Travel to Jarabacoa.
Day 3 | Jarabacoa
– Visit El Instituto del Ambiente, Jarabacoa’s environmental school, where you’ll learn about reforestation efforts within the Dominican Republic.
– Experience a waterfall hike.
– Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion.
– Soak up local flavor with a BBQ dinner.
Day 4: | Jarabacoa | Santiago
– Travel to Santiago, the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic and a tropical hotspot for Caribbean cigar and textile industries.
– Visit the Centro León museum to view its impressive collection of art tracing Dominican life throughout the 20th century.
– Explore the art of local handicrafts during a pottery-making workshop.
– Art and urban exploration combine as you participate in a street art walking tour and meet with a local nonprofit focused on supporting art within the community.
Day 5 | Santiago | Northern coastal region
– Travel to Puerto Plata.
– Take a guided tour of Puerto Plata. With your expert local guide you will delve into the history of this coastal city and former trading port.
– Visit Fortaleza San Felipe, a historic Spanish fortress built to defend Puerto Plata from invaders, pirates, and privateers. Explore its rich past and strategic importance while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding coastline.
– Participate in a jiu-jitsu lesson.
– Learn about the traditions of Carnival in the Dominican Republic.
Day 6 | Northern coastal region
– Enjoy time to explore or participate in a surf lesson.
– Experience the thrill of a ziplining adventure through the Dominican canopy. (Participants
must weigh less than 200 lbs.)
– Enjoy a Caribbean dance lesson.
Day 7 | Northern coastal region | Santiago
– Explore Cayo Arena mangroves during a snorkeling tour.
– Travel to Santiago.
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Day 8 | Depart for home
