Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic: Life in the Bateyes

Q: Is Dominican Republic: Life in the Bateyes Right for My Child?

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.

Q: How Do Flights, Meals, and Logistics Work?

Meals: All meals are included. Local cuisine is featured throughout the program. Dietary needs are accommodated with advance notice. What is the refund policy? View terms & conditions

Q: What’s Included in This Rustic Pathways Program?

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

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What Does a 16-Day Program Include?

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

Depart for the Dominican Republic!

Arrive at Miami International Airport (MIA) where you’ll meet your Rustic Pathways Flight Leader, who will help get you checked in and through security before traveling with your group to the Dominican Republic. Get acquainted with fellow Rustic travelers before boarding your flight. Arrive at Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture.

Welcome to the Bateyes

After breakfast at the hotel, head to your new home just outside of San Pedro de Macorís. Get familiarized with your surroundings and the history of the bateyes. These communities are home to sugarcane workers and their families, who have some of the lowest standards of living in the region. Sugar is one of the Dominican Republic’s main exports, and the country depends on its production to keep its economy healthy. Many of the field workers come from neighboring Haiti, and conditions are typically poor. Workers may be in the fields for up to 14 hours daily in the tropical heat. Some migrate for work; others stay in the Dominican Republic year-round or were even born here. Many lack citizenship and therefore quality education for their children. We have been working for years directly with a few small communities who open their arms to Rustic Pathways students like you to come work and help out where you can.

Begin Service

Wake up to your first full day in the bateyes – the area itself is completely surrounded by sugar cane fields, and home to the communities you will be working with. Receive a formal introduction to the project and people you will be serving. After a delicious Dominican lunch head over to start your service projects in one of the batey communities. Service initiatives vary based on local needs, so you may help with construction or agricultural projects or designing activities for local children. Again all projects are designed around the immediate needs of the community and may vary week to week. Students will be contributing to the Monte Coca Housing Initiative, helping to build homes for those in Batey Monte Coca. Settle into the volunteer facility you'll call home for the next 11 days. Students will sleep 4-8 to a room in bunk beds in a dorm-style house separated by gender. At volunteer facility they have basic bathrooms with separate facilities for male & female. Western style and no hot water.

4-5

Service in the Bateyes

The next two days will be spent continuing work on service projects in the bateyes. You will work and live with your fellow travelers at The Base, which is also home to a local NGO that serves the surrounding bateyes. After service, enjoy a game of pick-up baseball with the local kids before returning to The Base for dinner. On Saturday, visit a sugar cane field and learn how the cane is planted and cut, and taste some raw sugar cane! The evenings will be spent relaxing, planning service activities, and discussing the day’s work. You’ll be learning to connect global issues of migrations and citizenship to the local experiences you are witnessing on the ground in the Dominican Republic. Hear from a guest speaker from the ASCALA organization in the evening as you learn more about the work being done in the bateyes.

Journey to Bayahibe

After three days of invigorating service work, look forward to unwinding with a well-deserved day of fun! Go to the beach to spend the morning swimming in the serene Caribbean waters and soaking in the sun. Explore the beach town of Bayahibe, and grab lunch at a favorite local spot. Enjoy the afternoon snorkeling the coral reefs of the coast of Bayahibe. Have a relaxing dinner near the water before heading back to the base after your fun-filled day. Join your group for a mid-trip discussion where you will begin to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far.

7-8

Summer Camp

Run an educational summer camp for local children from some of the bateyes we work in. Get them out and running around, playing educational games and having fun with your group and other kids in the community. In the evenings, plan your camp activities and discuss the day’s work. Play sports, including baseball, which has a huge presence in the bateyes and across San Pedro de Macoris. Take a trip to town for ice cream and spend the evenings relaxing in the cool night breeze by the base.

Beach Day!

After two long days of camp, unwind with another day of fun at the beach! Spend your morning soaking in the sun and have lunch at the beach. In the evening, head back to the base and prepare for service the next day.

10-11

Service Days

Thursday and Friday are service-filled days. Start to see all the progress you’ve made and complete the projects you started last week, spending more time with families you are serving and getting a better understanding of the infrastructure and Haitian-Dominican nature of these communities. Unwind after service by playing a game of baseball with kids. Spend the evenings having more in-depth group discussions, watching a movie and enjoying the beautiful Dominican sunsets.

¡Adios, bateyes!

This morning, put the finishing touches on your service project and get ready to say goodbye to the communities you’ve called home for the last 11 days. Say your final farewells to your new friends and community and start packing for your last beach trip of the program. Join your group for a post-service debrief in the evening, discussing what you experienced and learned through hands-on work in the community.

13-14

Reflection and Relaxation

Say farewell to the bateyes on Sunday morning before you head out to the beach town of Samana bright and early for some time of reflection on the experiences you had in the communities. Relax on the beach, swim through the blue water, and explore some of the most beautiful views in the area. Experience the contrast between the Dominican Republic’s stunning attractions and the lesser-seen bateyes where you have been working for the past two weeks. For the next two nights, stay at an ecolodge with a pool near the beach. Comfortable shared rooms with private bathrooms and hot water.

Tour Santo Domingo

Head back to the capital for a tour of the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the first university, cathedral, and hospital in the Americas. Take a tour of the walled city and learn about the deep history of the first European settlement in the Americas. After touring the Colonial Zone, head over to a special dinner and dance show at a typical Dominican restaurant. At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home. Spend your final night in a hotel with shared rooms with private bathrooms.

Adios, DR!

Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your flight home or to your next Rustic program as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure. If you’re staying in the Dominican Republic, your Program Leaders will take you to your next accommodation to meet your new group. If you're continuing on to another Rustic Pathways destination, you’ll board a connecting flight to that country.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

7:1 Student-to-Leader Ratio

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

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Gender-Separated

Rooms with staff on site

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Dominican Republic

What Do Parents Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

Students join a chaperoned group flight from a U.S. gateway airport. A Rustic Pathways Flight Leader travels with the group. International students arrange independent flights and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup.

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).

Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?

Yes. Monthly payment plans are available for all families, and Rustic Pathways offers both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Explore scholarships and financial aid

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's supervising my child?

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 I reach my child?

Yes. Students can call, text, or WhatsApp during free time. Parents can reach Rustic Pathways’ 24/7 emergency line at any time.

How will I know they're okay?

Parents receive daily photo updates throughout the program from staff on the ground.

What is the phone/device policy?

Students may bring phones but cannot use them during group activities or meals. Wi-Fi is available at most accommodations.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group and how old are the participants?

Groups are typically 12-20 students per session. Students are ages 14-18, with most being 15-17.

Can international (non-U.S.) students join this program?

Yes. Students from 50+ countries join Rustic Pathways programs each year. International students book their own flights and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup.

Do students come with friends, or on their own?

Most students travel solo without knowing anyone. Program Leaders run ice-breakers on day one, and friendships form quickly. Friends are welcome to enroll together.

What is the accommodation like?

Students stay in locally operated lodging with shared rooms accommodating 2-4 students. Accommodations include private bathrooms and common areas.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Roommate requests are accepted during enrollment.

Program Details

Will my child have unsupervised time?

Students have structured independence during free-time blocks with staff always nearby. There is no unsupervised time in public areas.

Can you accommodate dietary needs & food allergies?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and common food allergies are accommodated with advance notice. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment.

How much spending money?

$150-200 recommended for souvenirs and incidentals. Tipping is included in the program fee.

Do we need a visa?

Visa requirements vary by passport and destination. Contact a Rustic Pathways travel advisor for guidance specific to your student’s nationality.

Support

What if my child gets homesick?

Homesickness is common in the first few days. Rustic Pathways staff are trained to support students through it. Read more about managing homesickness

Do you support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ approach to inclusion

What Should Parents Know?

Is Dominican Republic: Life in the Bateyes Right for My Child?

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.

Why Does Rustic Pathways Go to Dominican Republic?

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, Meals, and Logistics Work?

Meals: All meals are included. Local cuisine is featured throughout the program. Dietary needs are accommodated with advance notice.

What is the refund policy?
View terms & conditions

What’s Included in This Rustic Pathways Program?

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 2026

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