The Dominican Republic is a developing country facing the ongoing struggles of poverty. As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to work in Dominican communities that are handpicked by ISV and make a difference to the lives of hundreds underprivileged children and families. Your efforts will focus on education (via the ISV Children’s Program) and the building projects for community infrastructure in rural areas. Many of these communities have no electricity or running water – everyday things that many people take for granted. Some projects incorporate conservation activities into community development initiatives, as people and their environment cannot be separated. You may find yourself building a school, building a community center, designing a community garden or trail construction. Every volunteer will have the opportunity to help educate children through the ISV Children’s Program, which involves teaching English, Math, Geography, Natural Sciences, Arts and Crafts and Recreational Activities to poor children in rural communities that have little access to quality education.
ISV has projects throughout the Dominican Republic, which shares the Island of Hispaniola with Haiti. By volunteering with ISV, you could find yourself making a difference in any of the following areas.
Projects are spread throughout the Dominican Republic.
Each project runs for two weeks and is operated in partnership with well-established host organizations including not-for-profits, government and non-government organizations (NGOs), private industries, local grassroots groups and directly with the rural communities themselves. Projects are based in various locations all across the Dominican Republic. Each volunteer team will be supervised and directed by professional staff from the host organization and two ISV project leaders. The volunteer team will consist of around 18 - 32 people, depending on the project.
Please note: certain projects only operate on specific program dates.
No prior experience or expertise in environmental areas is needed in order to participate. Accommodations vary with projects, ranging from volunteer houses, dormitory style accommodations to research stations. Meals (3 per day) will be provided during the volunteer project.
Note: See ISV’s Tour Itinerary (below) which specifies the Program's Included Activities and those provided in the ISV Optional Activity Package.
Adventure Tour Locations
Adventure Tour Itinerary: Santo Domingo to Cabarete (Northbound)
Note: Depending on your departure date and allocated volunteer project you may participate on the Cabarete to Santo Domingo (Southbound) tour itinerary which operates in the opposite direction with minor variations.
Day 1 – Arrive in Santo Domingo: Today you arrive in the Capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, after your projects. This is the oldest city in the Americas. Orientation will take place after arrival, and then get ready to go out on the old town (ISV Included Activity). Walk in the footsteps of pirates and conquistadors! Visit one of the first houses that Columbus ever lived in, walk on the first street ever built in the New World, visit the first church and learn about Dominican History. Stroll the pedestrian area of the "Zona Colonial", enjoy the local cuisine and soak up the unique atmosphere.
Day 2 – Fun-Fun Caves (Caving): An early departure from Santo Domingo to Hato Mayor gives you a chance to experience the thrill of caving in one of the largest cave systems in the Caribbean (ISV Included Activity). Take a horse ride, rappel into huge caverns and swim through the underground canyons of this expansive cave system while taking in the sights and sounds of this amazing underground world. See Taino Indian Artifacts and learn about Taino History at the Ranch. Back in Santo Domingo, it's a night out in the cosmopolitan "Zonal Colonial".
Day 3 – Santo Domingo to Bahoruco: Wake up early and travel to the spectacular Southwest. This is a remote region of the Dominican Republic with undeveloped bays, small villages and beautiful scenery. In the afternoon, learn about Larimar, the endemic precious stone, and how to make jewelry from the local artisans. On this night, participants are treated to a local folkloric dance display. Enjoy an evening at Casa Bonita, swimming in a pool with a high-rise view to the beach and coconut groves below.
Day 4 – Casa Bonita: Today is an adventure that will take you to the House of Tarzan! (ISV Optional Activity Package) Hike along tropical forest and across a crystalline river where you will learn about endemic flora and fauna and local coffee initiatives. Arrive at Tarzan’s House; a secluded terraced hide-away in the jungle with its own private waterfall. There you will have a relaxing swim in an amazing setting and afternoon snack. This is one unique place you do not want to miss! In the evening, relax in Bahoruco by the hotel's pool and visit the local beach. End the day with a party at the local open-air disco.
Day 5 – Bahoruco to Jarabacoa: Say good-bye to beautiful, tropical Casa Bonita and travel to pine-clad Jarabacoa, the mountain adventure capital of the Dominican Republic. The town of Jarabacoa is situated at 600 m / 1800 ft. altitude and is next to the highest peak in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte (3,087 m / 9,261 ft). Rest up for an exciting next couple of days in a beautiful mountain hotel next to a river.
Day 6 – Rancho Jarabacoa (Whitewater Rafting): On this action packed day, you will start from this Dominican Ranch and spend a day whitewater rafting on the Yaque del Norte River (ISV Optional Activity Package). The only whitewater rafting trip in the Caribbean you will go through technical rapids and beautiful scenery in one of the most remote areas of the Dominican Republic. You may also visit the local waterfalls like Salto de Jimenoa (over 120 feet high) and relax in this refreshing mountain town. In the evening, you can enjoy swimming in a pool next to a roaring river.
Day 7 – Rancho Jarabacoa (Waterfall Rappelling): Get off to an early start and experience an unforgettable day of waterfall rappelling (ISV Included Activity). This is a unique opportunity to visit a high elevation canyon in the central highlands of the Dominican Republic. This is an excellent chance to get your adrenaline pumping while seeing the beauty of this mountain area at the same time. Enjoy a night of local dancing and karaoke.
Day 8 – Jarabacoa to Las Terrenas: On the way to Las Terrenas, you will stop at the beach town of El Limon, where Don Franco, a true Dominican cowboy, will have our horses saddled and ready for a ride to the Limon waterfalls (ISV Included Activity). Hike to a secluded swimming hole at the base of a 100-foot waterfall in a beautiful ecological park. Spend a relaxing afternoon enjoying the endless beaches and sunset at Las Terrenas.
Day 9 – Las Terrenas (Horse Riding/Hiking/ Swimming): Begin the day early and get on the bus to Samana. Travel across Samana Bay by boat to the spectacular Los Haitises National Park; a pristine maze of egg-shaped, small islands and mangroves shaped by limestone erosion (ISV Optional Activity Package). Visit a spectacular cave where the Taino Indians lived. Kayak through red mangroves, floating by spectacular fauna and flora. This evening you will arrive in the beautiful seaside town of Las Terrenas.
Day 10 – Las Terrenas to Cabarete: Today travel west along the spectacular North Coast and continue to Laguna Blu, a sapphire-blue limestone lagoon, and take a break at breathtaking Playa Diamante. Stop at the beautiful beach of Playa Grande to play volleyball and swim. Lunch on the beach. This evening you will arrive in the adventure capital of the Caribbean, the beach town of Cabarete. Enjoy a free night out at the colorful beachside cafes and venues where locals and tourists mingle.
Day 11 – Cabarete (Surfing): Get an early start and head to the beach for 2.5 hours of surfing lessons by local professionals on one of the best surfing beaches in the Caribbean (ISV Included Activity). Hang Loose in the crystal clear water! In the evening, enjoy a free night to explore the international flavor of this multi-cultural adventure community.
Day 12 – Cabarete (Canyoning): Experience the thrill of canyoning as we go jumping and sliding down natural water slides at 27 waterfalls (ISV Optional Activity Package). Be immersed in a beautiful jungle setting for this exciting activity. Enjoy another free night to explore the international flavor of this multi-cultural adventure community.
Day 13 – Cabarete (Windsurfing/Snorkeling): In the morning, friendly staff with good equipment will help you grasp the basics of windsurfing in the protected bay of Cabarete (ISV Optional Activity Package). In the afternoon, be prepared to be immersed in an aquatic world of tropical fish and reef life by taking a boat out to three beautiful reefs off the coast of Sosua (ISV Included Activity). Jump in and see angelfish, parrotfish, sea stars, and many coral species. The guide will inform you about the coral conservation projects in the area. Enjoy another colorful night in exciting Cabarete.
Day 14 – Departure: Time to say farewell or better yet “hasta pronto” to the Dominican Republic and tell everyone about your amazing experiences.
Accommodations: All accommodations have been carefully selected for their comfort and ideal locations. Accommodations range from nice tourist class hotels to youth hostels (dormitory style).
Meals: ISV provides most meals. Meals during times of sightseeing will be the responsibility of participants. ISV also stays in accommodations with kitchen facilities to allow students to prepare some of their own meals.
Activities: ISV includes a minimum of five activities in the program price to make your experience unforgettable. Activities are subject to change but may include activities such as waterfall rappelling in the Dominican Alps, surf lessons and snorkeling on the North Coast, a historical and cultural tour of the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo, caving in Hato Mayor and horseback riding to the secluded Limon waterfall.
Volunteer Project: ISV will send you the Project Overview for your assigned volunteer project along with your ISV Participant Travel Manual approximately 30 days prior to departure.
Disclaimer: Exact dates, itineraries, accommodations and included activities will be given to participants in the ISV Participant Travel Manual approximately 30 days prior to departure. ISV reserves the right to change the ISV tour itinerary, accommodations and activities without notice. Any and all changes are within the discretion of ISV, Inc.
Optional Activity Package (OAP)
Community Development: Help build a sustainable community and improve quality of life!
ISV Children's Program: Inspire and brighten up an impoverished child’s life!
Community Ecology, Trail Management and Reforestation: Help rural communities preserve their natural resources!
You will travel throughout the Dominican Republic, exploring the limestone caves, coral reefs, lush canyons and rivers, the Dominican Alps, breathtaking beaches and laid-back beachside lifestyles on the North Coast and Southwest regions, in contrast with the historic cultural richness of the Nation's capital, Santo Domingo. You will have the opportunity to participate on activities such as: 
