Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Set out to immerse your students in the vibrant culture of the Dominican Republic on this journey from Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata. Your class will learn about Dominican agriculture on a guided chocolate tasting tour, visit the Pomier Caves, and try their hand at mastering the merengue and the bachata. Your students will also fly through jungle canopy on a zipline and swim through the Damajagua waterfalls.
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."
Chocolate tasting tour
Discover the origins, harvest, and production of Dominican chocolate during a guided and tasting tour.
Day 3
Travel to Santiago via San Cristobal
Pomier Caves Anthropological Reserve visit
Discovered in 1851, the Pomier Caves house the largest collection of rock art in the Caribbean. The drawings date back as far as 2,000 years and are believed to be the work of the Taíno, Carib, and Igneri peoples. Visit a portion of the 55 caves, where over 6,000 carvings and drawings made with charcoal depict human and animal life. Caves 1 and 2 are the most physically accessible. Flashlights are provided and expect to encounter spiders, frogs, and bats!
Santiago guided sightseeing tour
Discover the cultural heart of Santiago on a guided tour through its top landmarks. Visit Centro León for Dominican art and history, admire sweeping views from El Monumento, stroll the vibrant shops of Calle El Sol, and relax in the shaded charm of Parque Duarte, a favorite local gathering spot.
Day 4
León Jiménez Cultural Center visit
This cultural center features four exhibition rooms, a media library, an auditorium, multipurpose lounges, a Caribbean-menu cafeteria, and a shop offering curated products crafted by national artisans and creators from the Greater Caribbean. Its gardens showcase sculptures, native and endemic plants, and an aviary home to birds and reptiles. Centro León meets standards set by the International Council of Museums and UNESCO, and runs diverse programs focused on art, culture, and the environment. These initiatives support community development through three core pillars: creativity, identity, and habitability.
Travel to Puerto Plata
Traditional Dominican dance lesson
In the Dominican Republic, dance and music are an integral part of daily life. Merengue is the most popular form of Dominican dance and music, developed in the mid-19th century and adapted from European styles with Afro-Caribbean rhythms. It reflects Dominican society and forms the base of many traditional songs, heard in bars, streets, businesses, and homes. Bachata, another beloved genre, originated in rural areas and features a more melancholic beat, often focusing on country life and romance.
Damajagua (27 Charcos) waterfall adventure
Of all the phenomenal waterfalls on the island, Damajagua, also known as the 27 Waterfalls, is the most visited water adventure location. Trek to the main waterfall and prepare to dive, swim, climb, and slide through natural corridors, crystal-clear pools, and the surrounding lush tropical forest.
Isabel de Torres visit
Day 5
Puerto Plata Tour Director-led sightseeing
Catch a glimpse of the city's serene beauty and colonial past as your Tour Director guides you through its most historically significant spots. Visit Fort San Felipe, one of the oldest colonial military structures in the Americas. Although the aerial tramway to Isabel de Torres peak is temporarily closed, you’ll still enjoy breathtaking views of Bahia de Puerto Plata and a smaller version of the Christ the Redeemer statue.
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.
Day 6
Optional
Catamaran cruise & snorkeling excursion (optional)
Your aquatic adventure begins as soon as you set sail from Puerto Plata. Feel the fresh tropical breeze as you sail east, surrounded by beautiful clear water. Keep an eye out for the island's vibrant marine life. Even before snorkeling begins, you may spot plenty of fish and possibly wild dolphins or whales. You will then anchor at Sosua Bay and navigate through its expansive and breathtaking reef before sailing back to Puerto Plata.
Day 7
Free time at the beach
Travel to Santo Domingo
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)
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
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Dominican Republic
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.