Río Grande Abajo Homestay and Service

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Santo Domingo

Depart from the USA. After arriving in the Dominican Republic, a short drive takes you to your hotel in Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, the city’s historic central district and the oldest permanent European settlement in the Americas, dating back to the early 1500s. Savor a welcome dinner before settling in for the night.

Day 2: Santo Domingo

Start the day with a historical tour on the Chu Chu Colonial, a narrated tram ride that takes you back through the city’s rich history and cultural roots. Enjoy time to experience more of the Colonial Zone at your own pace after lunch, perhaps sipping passion-fruit juice (a local favorite) in between exploring attractions like the pedestrian walkway El Conde, Plaza España, Ozama Fort, National Pantheon and Cathedral Primada de América. As you explore today, a Santo Domingo Culture Quest reveals the secrets, both past and present, of the colonial heart of this vibrant and historic city.

Day 3: Río Grande Abajo Homestay

Today’s activities begin with a transfer to Santiago, where you’ll take a guided tour of the Leon Jimenez Cultural Center, which offers the best of the nation's five national museums under one roof. After lunch drive to Río Grande Abajo, where you’ll meet your host family, tour your community and begin the homestay portion of the tour during which all meals will be taken with your host family.

Day 4: Río Grande Abajo Homestay

Spend today working on the Río Grande Abajo Community Project, coordinated by the Peace Corps. The specific tasks will vary according to the current needs of this agriculturally-based community, but could include everything from building stoves to developing sustainable recycling and composting programs to helping with larger construction projects. After dinner, you’ll participate in a local youth group activity.

Day 5: Río Grande Abajo Homestay

Today you’ll continue working on your community service project. In the evening, you’ll participate in another local youth group activity. The specific activities will vary by group, but the chance to connect and have fun with the local students is a constant!

Day 6: Sosua

After breakfast with your host family, say farewell to your new friends in Río Grande Abajo and take a short drive to Damajagua. Prepare to get wet: You’re about to swim, climb, and jump down the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua, ending in the sparkling-clean, aqua-blue pools below! Then continue to Sosua, arriving in time for dinner.

Day 7: Sosua

This morning enjoy free time to explore Sosua Beach, one of the Dominican Republic’s most pristine stretches of sand. In the afternoon more adventure tourism awaits as you participate in a group activity of your choice: zip-lining, horseback riding or snorkeling. Later enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel.

Day 8: Departure

Depart for the USA.