Rustic Pathways offers teen travel programs in the Dominican Republic for students ages 14–18, combining 15 service hours with cultural and outdoor exploration. Students support public health and development in batey communities while snorkeling, surfing, and dancing. The experience builds cultural insight and delivers both purpose and energy. See all Dominican Republic programs.
✔︎ Since 1983✔︎155,829+ Alumni✔︎6:1 Staff Ratio✔︎4.9/5.0 Rating
Join a small group of students ages 14–18 for a summer in the Dominican Republic. Programs combine public health service, cultural immersion, and adventure in perfect Caribbean weather. With guided support, students enjoy a purposeful and welcoming first step into international travel.
Spend eight days split between rural Dominican communities and the beach, combining public health service and cultural learning. Students work with a trusted NGO in batey communities to support health and nutrition projects.
Between service, they snorkel Sosúa Bay and explore Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone.
| Program | Country | Duration | Ages | Max Students | Cost | Service Hours |
| Dominican Republic: Beachside Service | Dominican Republic | 8 Days | 14–18 | 16 | $1,995 + Airfare | 15 |
The DR offers a meaningful balance of real community impact, Caribbean landscapes, and Afro-Caribbean cultural immersion. Students gain hands-on experience in public health while learning merengue and bachata, exploring historic sites, and snorkeling vibrant marine ecosystems.
Students stay in supervised housing with shared rooms and communal spaces. Meals include Dominican dishes like sancocho and fresh tropical fruit. Each day follows a structured rhythm with morning service, afternoon activities, and evening reflection. This safe home base supports rest, friendships, and cultural immersion.
Rustic Pathways has operated in the Dominican Republic for more than 15 years. Students travel with trained staff, private transportation, secure lodging, and vetted community partners. The DR is one of the Caribbean’s most accessible destinations from the U.S., with short flight times and strong tourism infrastructure.
Learn more about our safety framework.
Service is grounded in a partnership with the Kerolle Initiative, a trusted Dominican NGO. Students help with vitamin distribution, growth checks, wellness education, and infrastructure work that supports real community needs and avoids performative volunteering.
Students return with stronger communication skills, insight into healthcare equity, and a deeper understanding of community-led development. Through service and immersion, they build independence, empathy, and clarity about their global role.
Students complete 15 verified community service hours, learning how public health challenges are confronted at the local level—and how small, consistent acts of care matter.
Through hands-on work with community partners, teens see how access, equity, and education shape health outcomes. This experience powers future interest in medicine, global health, and social impact.
Navigating a Spanish-speaking Caribbean country builds adaptability and humility. Teens learn new rhythms—from food to dance to conversation—and connect with Dominican peers.
Surfing, snorkeling, and coastal exploration balance service days with joy and reflection. These experiences help teens understand the DR’s natural ecosystems and return home renewed.
Most students leave with a clearer sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for community-led change.
The service work in the DR helped me understand what public health looks like in real life. I loved connecting with the community and trying new things every day.
Quote by: Sofia L., Chicago, IL Program Alumni
Yes, the Dominican Republic is safe for teen travel programs with Rustic Pathways. The program offers 24/7 staff supervision, vetted accommodations, and private transportation, backed by over 15 years of experience operating safely in the DR.
No, students do not need Spanish experience. Staff and local partners support all language levels, and students often pick up basic conversational Spanish through daily immersion.
Programs take place in several regions of the Dominican Republic, including Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, rural batey communities for service, Sosúa Bay for snorkeling, and Playa El Encuentro for surfing.
Students complete service projects focused on public health and community development, including vitamin distribution, nutrition tracking, wellness workshops, and mural painting or light construction in local communities.
Yes, this program is ideal for first-time travelers. Short flights from Miami, a supportive cultural setting, and a structured itinerary make the Dominican Republic a strong choice for a first international experience.
The program fee includes accommodations, meals, in-country transportation, activities, excursions, service projects, airport transfers, and 24/7 staff support. Airfare is not included.
Custom Dominican Republic itineraries are available for schools, youth groups, and private cohorts. Options include public health service, cultural immersion, and beachside adventure.
See all Dominican Republic group travel programs