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Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic: Mountain Air and Village Service — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 20 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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Spend a week gaining a new perspective on one of life’s most basic needs – the access to clean water. Travel to the Dominican Alps and take in the scenic views as you immerse yourself in the service experience. Launch into efforts to create aqueducts and other needed infrastructure to provide water to nearby rural communities. Take a break, relax and snorkel at a white sand beach along the coast. Learn about the culture and history of the country as you interact with the community and tour the Colonial Zone in the capital. From beginning to end, this program will give you an unforgettable educational journey with its mix of service, scenery and culture.

The community was super engaged and thankful for the students’ hard work.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 8-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Welcome to the Dominican Republic!

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 Jarabacoa, a three-hour-plus drive, and settle in after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion and an introduction to the local culture. Have a hot, local dinner and get some sleep for a big day tomorrow. Flight Details: Rustic Pathways is happy to book your flights as an optional add-on service. Overnight: Hotel, Jarabacoa
2

Explore the Jarabacoa Region

Learn about the environmental initiatives taking place in the region, including efforts to create sustainable jobs and improve the health of the local habitat. Begin your service by heading deeper into the mountains to help build aqueducts for communities without running water. Launch into tasks for ongoing projects, such as prepping, digging, fitting, and finishing plumbing from a dammed river upstream to the nearby homes. Projects may also include efforts to create bio-treatment systems that prevent runoff water from polluting waters downstream. Overnight: Hotel, Jarabacoa
3 – 4

Service in the Mountains

See your progress as you spend these days continuing your work on infrastructure projects. After service, share a coffee with neighbors and get to know the local community. Explore the mountains, eat delicious Dominican food, and learn about local music and history. Discuss your service experience, focusing on responsible tourism, water access and community resources. Overnight: Hotel, Jarabacoa
5

Beach Day at Sosúa

Take a two-hour bus ride to the coastal towns of Sosúa and Cabarete where you’ll spend the rest of the day relaxing on the North Coast beaches. Eat coastal specialties and swim in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, soaking up the sun after several days of hard work. Overnight: Hotel, Sosua
6

Snorkeling & Back to the Mountains

After breakfast go snorkeling and have lunch before saying goodbye to the coast and heading back to Jarabacoa. Settle into your accommodations and refuel before departing on a hike to a beautiful waterfall in the region. Join your group for a discussion where you'll begin to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far. Overnight: Hotel, Jarabacoa
7

Explore Santo Domingo

Head back to the capital in the morning for a tour of Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the first university, cathedral, and hospital in the Americas. Explore the walled city and learn about the deep history of the first European settlement in the Americas. Later, enjoy a special dinner and dance show at a typical Dominican restaurant. At the end of each program, the students join in a closing discussion and the traditional Rustic Ties ceremony, allowing them to reflect on their experiences and consider ways to share what they’ve learned with their communities back home. Overnight: Hotel, Santo Domingo
8

¡Adiós, Dominican Republic!

Say goodbye to your new friends and to the beautiful Dominican Republic. 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

Total: 8 calendar days / 7 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Dominican Republic

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
Dominican Republic offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Dominican Republic Americas Service + Culture
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