Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Immerse your students in the authentic culture, language, and community of the Dominican Republic when you join an ongoing community project in rural Jarabacoa! Students can look forward to activities like painting the local school or preparing a garden. When not working on their projects, your class will also enjoy exploring Los Tres Ojos National Park, riding horses to Baiguate Waterfall, and flying through jungle canopy on a special zipline tour.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Santo Domingo
Please note: Groups flying from the West Coast may be required to depart on Day 0.
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Day 2
Santo Domingo Tour Director-led sightseeing tour
Walk the largest Dominican city, Santo Domingo, the vibrant capital of this Caribbean country. Located by the sea, Santo Domingo boasts a well-preserved Colonial Zone you can explore on foot. Feast your eyes on 16th-century buildings, palatial houses, and beautiful churches. Visit the Catedral Santa María la Menor, the oldest cathedral built in the Americas, and the Alcázar de Colón, America’s first castle. Step into history at the Ozama Fortress, one of the oldest European military structures in the New World. Then take a scenic stroll along the Malecón, a lively seaside boulevard lined with palm trees, monuments, and ocean views, perfect for soaking in the local culture and coastal breeze.
Los Tres Ojos National Park visit
Make your way through one of Santo Domingo's most dazzling attractions: Los Tres Ojos National Park, an open-air limestone cave featuring three stunning lakes known as "The Three Eyes."
National Museum of Anthropology visit
Explore one of the top anthropology museums in the world. Arranged in over 100,000 square feet of display space are such artifacts as massive Olmec stone heads, the tomb and skeletal remains of an 8th-century Mayan ruler, a carved jaguar with a hollow back for the hearts of human sacrifices, and the famous Aztec Calendar Stone. At the museum entrance, the rain god Tlaloc stands guard over all these treasures. City residents claim that when this statue was moved here from its original home, severe rainstorms raged and ended a citywide drought.
Travel to Jarabacoa
Day 3
Community project orientation
Meet your project coordinator to understand the scope and goals of your project.
Jarabacoa community project
It’s not just exposure to new places that brings growth; it’s participation and personal engagement that challenge travelers to make an impact. We work hand in hand with trusted organizations and charities around the world to coordinate volunteer projects that meet the needs of local communities. When your group travels, you may take part in activities such as painting, repairs, and cleaning for building maintenance, or helping set up a library by stocking, classifying, and organizing shelves, and leading reading sessions with younger members of the community.
Day 4
Jarabacoa community project
It’s not just exposure to new places that brings growth; it’s participation and personal engagement that challenge travelers to make an impact. We work hand in hand with trusted organizations and charities around the world to coordinate volunteer projects that meet the needs of local communities. When your group travels, you may take part in activities such as painting, repairs, and cleaning for building maintenance, or helping set up a library by stocking, classifying, and organizing shelves, and leading reading sessions with younger members of the community.
Jarabacoa nature hike
Take a 3-hour hike along a newly developed 1-mile route, where visitors can interact with the flora and fauna, explore the environment and its distribution, and learn from the practices that make this a model of sustainable development.
Butterfly pavilion visit
Day 5
Jarabacoa community project
It’s not just exposure to new places that brings growth; it’s participation and personal engagement that challenge travelers to make an impact. We work hand in hand with trusted organizations and charities around the world to coordinate volunteer projects that meet the needs of local communities. When your group travels, you may take part in activities such as painting, repairs, and cleaning for building maintenance, or helping set up a library by stocking, classifying, and organizing shelves, and leading reading sessions with younger members of the community.
Horseback ride to Baiguate Waterfall
Ride through the scenic landscape and local villages of the area to reach the Baiguate Waterfall (Salto de Baiguate), which cascades into an emerald-colored jade pool below. Take a deep breath and enjoy the nearby fragrant cilantro fields. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity.
Day 6
Travel to Cabarete Beach
Canopy zipline tour
Experience the thrill of flying through the air, 7,900 feet high, on this countryside zipline adventure. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity.
Free time at Cabarete Beach
Enjoy free time in a tropical paradise.
Day 7
Travel to Santo Domingo via Santiago
Cultural Centro León visit
Centro León’s historical collections offer insight into the pre-colonial culture of the Taíno people, Spanish colonization, the lives of African slaves, and how modern-day Dominicans retain elements of each of these three cultures.
Day 8
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Community-based projects
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.