Dominican Republic: Afro-Caribbean Culture and Community Development

Arrive at Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo and meet your program leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head directly to your hotel in Santo Domingo and join the group for an orientation discussion and an introduction to the local culture. Have dinner at Maison Kreyol, the most famous Haitian-Caribbean restaurant in the Dominican Republic.

Overnight: Hotel, Santo Domingo

After a hearty breakfast, explore the Colonial Zone, the historic walled quarter and UNESCO World Heritage site that’s rich with food and music. Old colonial buildings have been converted into coffee shops, restaurants, and community arts spaces. The weather allows for a blossoming bohemian scene with plazas becoming centers for artistic, folkloric and cultural expressions.

Stop at La Cofradía de Los Congos del Espíritu Santo (The Congos of the Holy Spirit). This cofradía (brotherhood) creates music pieces and dances using popular Afro-Caribbean instruments like conga drums. This cofradía is one of the most important socio-cultural expressions of the Dominican Republic, deeply rooted in the history, geography and culture of the country and is particularly common in the community of Mata Los Indios, Villa Mella.

In the late afternoon head east to the volunteer center in San Pedro and settle in. Have a hot, local dinner and get some sleep for a big day tomorrow.

Overnight: Volunteer Center, San Pedro de Macorís

Start the day at a museum to learn about one of the island’s first settlements. See how the sugar industry was born in the Americas and how African-descended migrants called cocolos live and work in sugar cane communities. Stop by Rincón Cocolo, a migrant-founded restaurant that’s the only establishment in the country that serves traditional cocolo cuisine.

Meet the leadership team at ASCALA, a religious organization that supports the region’s underserved communities. Learn about the socio-political issues facing the bateyes, which are permanent settlements for the families of sugar cane workers. Challenges include substandard housing, unsafe and low-wage working conditions, limited access to health care and racial discrimination.

Head into the sugar cane field where your guides will help you talk to sugar cane cutters. Hear their stories, and learn about the hardships they face every day. Try to cut some sugar cane with a machete to experience how challenging it can be.

Overnight: Volunteer Center, San Pedro de Macorís

Spend the next three days working alongside our partner community on infrastructure projects designed to increase the standard of living. Projects include the construction of cement homes. Work may consist of digging foundations, mixing cement, laying cinder blocks, plastering and/or painting. Other projects include building latrines, cementing floors, and having educational exchanges with local youth.

After returning to the base students will have the chance to shower before having dinner onsite. After dinner enjoy evening discussions, guest speakers, and/or documentary showings.

Overnight: Volunteer Center, San Pedro de Macorís

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.

At the end of the program, students participate in the traditional Rustic Ties ceremony, reflecting on their experiences and discussing how to use the lessons they’ve learned in their own worlds.

Overnight: Bayahibe Hotel, Bayahibe

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: Rustic Pathways can book your flights upon request