Spend the week exploring the Dominican Republic as a family. You will ge to hike, horseback ride, ride a catamaran, and enjoy all the beauty la bella quisqueya has to offer.

Get to know various distinct communities - a rural mountain village in the Cordillera Central, a marginalized agricultural community called a Batey, originally built for migrant sugar cane workers, the picturesque hills and beaches of Samana and the post card wordy coasts of the east. Contribute to infrastructure projects that will increase access to water, housing, and sanitation in communities with very different structures and resources. Take a break from service and enjoy the country’s beautiful beaches where you’ll get to swim and relax.

August 4th | Santo Domingo

Arrive in Santo Domingo, drop off your bags at the hotel, and head out for your first night in the Colonial Zone, the historic walled quarter and UNESCO World Heritage site that is rich with food and music. Old colonial buildings have been converted into coffee shops, restaurants, and community arts spaces, and the weather allows for a blossoming bohemian scene at night where the La Zona Colonial’s plazas and squares become centers for artistic, folkloric and cultural expressions. Welcome back to Quisqueya!

Lodging: Hodelpa Nicolas de Ovando, Santo Domingo

August 5th | Jarabacoa

Drive to Jarabacoa and settle into your eco-lodge nestled in the heart of the “Dominican Alps”. Jarabacoa is known as “the land of eternal spring” because of its temperate climate and fertile land. A great portion of the agriculture of the Dominican Republic finds its home here. Have a typical Dominican lunch at your eco lodge and spend the afternoon relaxing and taking in your surroundings.

Lodging: Bohíos de Campo Añil, Jarabacoa (All meals included)

Optional Activities:

Rafting: 70 $USD

Canyoning: 80$USD

Paragliding: 70 $USD

Hike in Manabao: 65 $USD

Visit Sonido del Yaque: 45 $USD

Visit Cacao Farm: 50 $USD

August 6th | Horseback Riding

After breakfast at the lodge, hop on a horse and ride to Salto Baiguate, a 82 foot waterfall surrounded by nature. The ride will take you through lush vegetation, tropical surroundings and villages where you can see some aspects of Dominican culture. After taking a refreshing bath at the Baiguate Waterfall, pass by La Melaza and enjoy some fresh fruit smoothies at this great local spot.

Lodging: Bohíos de Campo Añil, Jarabacoa (All meals included)

August 7th | Samana Peninsula

Drive northeast for about 5 hours to reach the Samaná Peninsula, a unique part of the country home to some of the most picturesque beaches in the Americas. Arrive at the beach town of Las Galeras around noon, settle in at the eco lodge and have a savory Caribbean lunch.

Lodging: Villa Serena or similar (Breakfast and lunch included)

August 8th | Beach Time

After breakfast, head out to Playa Rincón, a 3 mile stretch of pristine turquoise waters and fine white sands flanked by lucious green hills. Spend all day relaxing at Playa Rincón, before heading back to your eco lodge.

Lodging: Villa Serena, Samaná (Breakfast and lunch included)

Optional Activities:

Speed boat to Cayo Levantado: 55 $USD (includes lunch)

Los Haitises Boat Tour: 55 $USD

Hike to Salto El Limón: 45 $USD

Boat to Playa Frontón: 40 $USD

El Valle Zipline: 85 $USD

August 9th | Juan Dolio

Drive south to the beach town of Juan Dolio, settle in your beachfront apartment and relax by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean sea.

Lodging: Apartment or House, Juan Dolio

Optional Activities:

Day trip to Santo Domingo: 65 $USD

Cuevas de las Maravillas: 35 $USD

August 10th | Service in the Bateyes

Spend the day contributing to ongoing development projects to support local communities of sugar cane workers marginalized by Dominican society. You will be working with local masons on an infrastructure rehabilitation project that consists in cementing floors of homes identified by community leaders.

Lodging: Apartment or House, Juan Dolio (Lunch included)

August 11th | Basílica de La Altagracia

Drive east to the province of La Altagracia. Visit Higüey, “the land where the sun is born”, a centenary city founded at the site of one of the five caciques, or provinces, of the native Tainos. Visit the Virgen de la Altagracia Basílica, the most important pilgrimage spot in the Dominican Republic and home of hundreds of religious and historic art pieces. Head back to your lodging in Juan Dolio

Lodging: Apartment or House, Juan Dolio (Lunch included)

Optional Activities:

Snorkeling in Playa Magallanes: 25 $USD

Padre Nuestro Cave: 25 $USD

Hoyo Claro visit: 45 $USD

Punta Cana Zipline: 105 $USD

August 12th | Isla Saona

Take a catamaran tour of Isla Saona, stopping along the way to snorkel and enjoy various beaches. After returning to Bayahibe, head back to your apartment or house in Juan Dolio for a relaxing end of the evening.

Lodging: Apartment or House, Juan Dolio (Lunch included)

August 13th | ¡Buen viaje!

Say goodbye to La Bella Quisqueya. Offbeat Travel will arrange transportation to the airport.

In the Bateyes students will stay at the ASCALA volunteer facility near the town of Consuelo. Rooming will be bunk style shared lodging with 2-6 people per room. The rooms all have fans we a nice common area and a lot of outdoor space.

In Jarabacoa students will stay at Los Bohios de Campo Añil, which is a country style lodge in the mountains of Jarabacoa. The rooms are all built and decorated in traditional Dominican countryside style. Students will be 2-4 per small Bohio (like a cabin).

• 9 nights of accommodation

• Meals as outlined in the itinerary

• All transportation

• Offbeat Travel full-time local guide

• All activities as detailed in your itinerary

• Single point of contact from Offbeat Travel for support leading up to the program

• Offbeat Travel 24-hour emergency support throughout program

• All fees, community service donations.

Total: $1,295

Payment Plan:

• $250 deposit - click below to book

• $250 due January 15th

• $250 due March 15th

• $250 due May 15th

• $295 due June 15th

All payments after the initial deposit will be invoiced via email.