Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic: Public Health in the Caribbean

Q: Is Dominican Republic: Public Health in the Caribbean 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.

2-3

Immersion and Learning

After breakfast, your group will receive an introduction to your program and go over some of the major public health topics you will learn about in the next two weeks. Here you will also learn about public health initiatives that are taking place in the capital. The Dominican Republic has some of the greatest disparities between rich and poor in the region; these disparities can be seen very clearly in Santo city in the Caribbean. You will then hear from some resident experts how the health care system works in the Dominican Republic and introduce you to some of the biggest health problems the country is facing, visiting both public and private health facilities in addition to visiting NGOs (non-governmental organizations). In the evenings, watch a documentary and have group discussions about public health in Latin America to contextualize your experience and prepare for your community service projects. At the end of Day 3, you will travel east to the province of San Pedro, where you will begin community service and your first aid training. For the next 11 nights, students will stay at a base in Juan Dolio in shared rooms separated by gender. The bedrooms have a/c and the bathrooms have western toilets, but there is no hot water in the showers.

Meet the Community

Today, you will learn more about the communities where you will be working. Spend the morning working on infrastructure projects focused on improving sanitation in batey communities in the area. In the afternoon, you will learn what a typical day looks like for a bracero, or cane cutter. You’ll even get to try some freshly cut sugar cane, which is one of the foods that sustain many braceros on their long days of work. You will then visit a local government-operated healthcare center in the batey. You will have the chance to learn about some of the health issues faced in a rural context.

5-6

Wilderness First Aid and CPR Training

Officially begin your Wilderness First Aid and CPR training. Our expert medical staff will provide you with the information you need to develop your skills in first aid, CPR, and emergency response. Spend a full two days training in situation assessment, determining the appropriate response in an emergency, providing basic first aid and CPR, and caring for wounds.

Beaches and the Bateyes

Spend the morning wrapping up your WFA and CPR training before heading out to a well-deserved day of fun. Spend the day swimming in the serene Caribbean waters and soaking in the sun on the beach. After a full day at the beach, head back to your base in the province of San Pedro. This province is home to the bateyes, communities of sugar cane workers, who have some of the lowest standards of living in the country and are often unable to access health care and education due to their documentation status. Spend the evening watching a film and having a discussion that will give you some background on the situation in this part of the island, and then get a good night’s sleep before you continue community service in the morning.

8-10

Community Service

Work on infrastructure projects that will improve sanitation and living conditions for people living in underserved areas. After breakfast each day, you’ll head into our partner communities to work on sanitation-related construction projects. You’ll break for lunch and then continue working hard in the afternoon. See how these basic necessities drastically impact health and some of the major challenges facing a rural agricultural community.

11-12

Health Camp

Use what you've learned in your certification and during your time visiting health professionals to provide health workshops to local school children. You’ll get to teach various important subjects such as sanitation and healthy living habits. Learn more about the process of producing sugar, including what a typical day looks like for a bracero, or cane cutter. You’ll even get to try some freshly cut sugar cane, which is one of the foods that sustain many braceros on their long days of work. After your final day of workshops, say your last goodbyes as you pack for the beach in the evening. 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

Beach Time

Take a break from service and spend the last two days enjoying the Dominican coast. Travel to the beautiful, peninsular province of Samaná to wrap up your program. Enjoy the stunning views and discuss what you've learned over the last two weeks. You'll have a much greater understanding of global health challenges now that you've seen some of the realities on the ground in the Dominican context. Settle into a hotel near the beach for the next two nights. Shared rooms, separated by gender; private bathrooms with Western-style toilets and intermittent 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 separated by gender 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: Public Health in the Caribbean 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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