Rustic Pathways Reviews

Real feedback from
real families

Rustic Pathways holds 4.8–4.9 star ratings across Google, GoOverseas, GoAbroad, and Trustpilot.

Save Your Spot for 2026
Rustic Pathways students volunteering abroad on a summer travel program
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★★★★★
Absolute life saver!
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★★★★★
Best trip of my life
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★★★★★
Rustic is TOP NOTCH!
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★★★★★
Life changing experience
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★★★★★
Love it!

What Parents & Students Say

Across Google, GoOverseas, GoAbroad, and Trustpilot, parents and students consistently highlight three things: exceptional program leaders, safety and communication, and genuine cultural immersion.

The program leaders (Eva and Pamela) were absolutely fantastic. They are so intelligent and welcoming and engaged with our class in critical thinking exercises related to volunteering, tourism, and service-learning. Once I finish school, I want to work with Rustic Pathways.
★★★★★
Cristina Santos
Costa Rica
The staff was amazing and the program itself involves hard work, determination and fun. Coming back to America I realized how many things I truly took for granted. Rustic combined fun, service, and friendship in one life changing experience.
★★★★★
Samantha Miller
Thailand
I highly enjoyed working to build concrete floors for the communities of the Bateys. The people were very welcoming and sweet. Community means everything to the people of the Dominican Republic.
★★★★★
Jacqueline Smith
Dominican Republic
I walked into the trip with about one friend and came out with 10. Rustic made that happen. They ensure your happiness while working and being environmentally sustainable. LOVED IT!
★★★★★
Isabella Smith
USA - Grand Canyon
I loved the intensity of the travel, all the activities we did (my favorite was mountain biking) and how close we got as a group. The Turtle Conservation Project sparked a love of community service in me.
★★★★★
Kiara Rodriguez
Peru
Dino and Adna are some of my favorite and most kind people I have ever met. When I became ill on the trip, Rustic Pathways brought a doctor to our hotel. I had never felt so cared for by a travel company.
★★★★★
Eliza Rodriguez
Croatia
Everything was amazing, it's something everyone needs to experience.
★★★★★
Diego Rossetti
Thailand
Great organisation of program. Variety of experiences were available. The cultural immersion was incredible and I made lifelong friends.
★★★★☆
Leonor Almeida
Thailand
Both of the programs I attended were really fun and I was truly impacted by the different cultures and beliefs people have in these countries. I wouldn't change a thing.
★★★★★
Shirley Baez
China - Silk Road
This program opened my eyes to important situations around the world that we never hear about on the news. I absolutely loved it. Travel with Rustic to see how you can make an impact.
★★★★★
Sabina Novak
Dominican Republic
I loved everything about the Dominican Republic program: the fulfilling impact and connections made with people, the enriching program leaders, and the incredible activities.
★★★★★
Solene Anderson
Dominican Republic
I love the team bonding and all the activities we did. We had a good combination of activities and service. The program really taught me patience and to try new things.
★★★★★
Virginia Brown
Costa Rica
This program has honestly changed my perspective of the world so much. It has allowed me to become more aware and caring for how our actions impact the world.
★★★★★
Elizabeth Lee
Costa Rica
After going on three different Rustic Pathways trips, this was by far the most educational and informative. Rustic blends tourism with meaningful community service.
★★★★★
Alex Lee
USA - New Orleans
I love the environment that the Rustic Pathways staff created on my Island Survival trip. They were able to act as both our mentors and our friends.
★★★★★
Kaitlyn Park
Australia

If you’ve made it this far

It's easy to see why families trust Rustic Pathways.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rustic Pathways legit?

Rustic Pathways is a legitimate teen travel company founded in 1983, operating for over 40 years. It is headquartered in Mentor, Ohio, holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and publishes verified safety data through a transparency audit.

Is Rustic Pathways safe?

Rustic Pathways is safe due to a 4.37:1 staff-to-student ratio, 24/7 in-country support, a partnership with Healix (HX Global) for emergency evacuations, and published incident data dating back to 2014.

What are common complaints about Rustic Pathways?

Common complaints about Rustic Pathways include high program costs ranging from $1,995 to $14,995 and accommodations in remote areas being more rustic than expected.

Where can I read Rustic Pathways reviews?

You can read verified Rustic Pathways reviews on GoOverseas and GoAbroad (both specialize in study abroad and travel programs), Google (local business reviews), and Trustpilot (general consumer trust platform). You can also explore our reviews hub for additional resources.

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