› 11-Day Expedition

11-Day Dominican
Explorer Expedition

11 days, 10 nights doing a deep dive through
Dominican history, culture and adventure!

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Go beyond the beaches and discover the Dominican Republic through adventure, culture, and connection.

Live with Dominican host families in the coastal village of Boca de Yuma, earn your PADI Open Water scuba certification while exploring the reefs of Bayahibe, and team up with local university students to uncover the history and culture of Santo Domingo. Then trade the coastline for the mountains, where you'll camp beside the Yaque del Norte River, learn practical wilderness skills, and raft through the Dominican jungle. Along the way, you'll share meals, build meaningful relationships, serve local communities, and leave with more than unforgettable memories—you'll return home with greater confidence, new skills, and a broader understanding of the world around you.

Whats included?

11-day guided expedition across the Dominican Republic
All transportation in country
All accommodations, including host family stay and jungle campsite
Two meals per day
Boca de Yuma Outdoor experience and Community event
PADI Open Water Scuba Certification
All scuba equipment and instruction
Santo Domingo treasure hunt experience
Whitewater rafting expedition and camping equipment
Transportation throughout the expedition
National park and attraction entrance fees
Professional expedition leaders and local guides
24/7 on-trip support and emergency planning
Comprehensive pre-departure information and packing guide

Expedition highlights

Live with a Dominican host family in the authentic fishing village of Boca de Yuma.
Explore indigenous cave systems, hidden cenotes, and Cotubanamá National Park.
Help organize a community event alongside local Dominican residents..
Scuba dive Caribbean coral reefs teeming with sea turtles, rays, and tropical marine life.
Earn your PADI Open Water Diver Certification, recognized worldwide
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial.
Team up with Dominican university students in a city-wide cultural challenge.
Raft the Caribbean's longest river, the Yaque del Norte.
Camp overnight in the Dominican jungle beneath a canopy of stars.

Pricing Information

Your expedition includes a round-trip flight between Miami and the Dominican Republic. For groups traveling from elsewhere in the United States, we're happy to help coordinate flights from your home city to Miami so everyone arrives on schedule and travels together.
Reserve your place with a deposit and spread the remaining balance over time. Our flexible payment options are designed to make planning your expedition more manageable.
Gratuities are not included in the expedition price. Before departure, we'll provide simple tipping guidelines for guides, drivers, instructors, and other local staff who help make the experience possible.
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance for every participant. Your policy should include international medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation, and coverage appropriate for the activities included in your expedition.
Two meals per day are included throughout the expedition. Students are responsible for one meal each day, which typically costs between $7–20 USD, along with any souvenirs, snacks, or personal purchases. We'll provide recommended budgeting guidance before departure.

A $500 USD deposit is required to reserve each student's place on the expedition. The remaining balance can be paid through one of our flexible payment plans before departure.
We understand that plans can change. Our cancellation policy is designed to be fair while accounting for the reservations, permits, and preparations required to operate each expedition.

Read our full cancellation policy.
Our Winter Expeditions are priced differently due to increased holiday operating costs, seasonal demand, and the unique experience of traveling during the Christmas season.
Schools and organized groups receive one complimentary chaperone for every seven participating students.Chaperones receive the same accommodations, activities, meals, transportation within the Dominican Republic, and other inclusions as students. They are responsible only for their transportation to Miami, meals not included in the itinerary, and any personal expenses.
We believe pricing should be straightforward. Everything included in your expedition is clearly listed, and any additional personal expenses are outlined before you book.

Detailed Trip itinerary

Day One: Arrival in Punta Cana & Transfer to Boca de Yuma

Included meals: Welcome Dinner

Bienvenidos a Republica Dominicana! After arriving at Punta Cana International Airport, meet your expedition leaders and fellow travelers before heading to the coastal fishing village of Boca de Yuma. Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and Cotubanamá National Park, this small community will be your home for the next three days.

Meet your Dominican host family, settle into your accommodations, and enjoy your first home-cooked Dominican meal. As the sun sets over the Yuma River, gather with your expedition team to learn about the journey ahead and the communities you'll soon become part of.

Day 2: Community Immersion & Cotubanamá National Park

Included meals: Breakfast,  Dinner

Spend the day exploring the beautiful natural areas around Boca de Yuma and uncovering hidden cultural and natural gems!

Explore the forests, caves, and coastline of Cotubanamá National Park with local guides.
Visit indigenous cave systems and crystal clear water cenotes.
Learn how to survive in the Dominican jungle from the people that wrote the book on it!
Enjoy authentic Dominican dishes prepared by your host family.

Day 3: Community Service Project

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is dedicated to collaboration and cultural exchange.

Working alongside local residents and community leaders, help organize a community event benefiting the nearby village of La Playita. Rather than simply volunteering, students work together with Dominican families to create an event designed around the community's goals and priorities.

Spend the afternoon enjoying games, music, and shared meals before saying goodbye to your host families and heading east, to the DR Scuba capital, Bayahibe!

*As part of this experience you will go shopping for some of the ingredients for the event. Expected spend is $5/pp

Day 4: Begin PADI Open Water Certification

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Meet your professional dive instructors and begin working toward your internationally recognized PADI Open Water Diver Certification. After classroom instruction and confined-water practice, enjoy free time exploring Bayahibe's beaches, cafés, and relaxed coastal atmosphere.

Day 5: Caribbean Reef Dives

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Continue your scuba training with open-water dives on vibrant Caribbean reefs.

Complete multiple certification dives.
Search for sea turtles, stingrays, octopus, and colorful tropical fish.
Learn about coral reef ecology and marine conservation.
Gain confidence underwater while developing new diving skills.

Spend the evening exploring Bayahibe or relaxing by the Caribbean Sea.

Day 6: Complete Your PADI Certification

Included meals: Breakfast

Finish your remaining open-water dives and ring the bell to officially earn your PADI Open Water Diver Certification!

Together we celebrate your achievement over a local lunch before heading off to our next adventure in Santo Domingo!

Day 7: Colonial Quest

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel to Santo Domingo's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Zona Colonial, the oldest permanent European settlement in the Americas.

Partner with Dominican university students in a city-wide cultural scavenger hunt designed to immerse you in Dominican history and everyday life.

Throughout the day you'll:

Visit museums and historic monuments.
Explore vibrant plazas and local parks.
Discover neighborhood colmados and artisan chocolate shops.
Photograph cultural landmarks and hidden corners of the Colonial Zone.
Compete with fellow teams to complete the most challenges before the day ends.

Celebrate the winning team before enjoying dinner together in the heart of the Colonial City.

Day 8: Into the Mountains

Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner

In the morning we’ll leave the Caribbean coastline behind and journey into the cool mountain landscapes of Jarabacoa.

Spend the afternoon unwinding in a beautiful mountain resort beside the Jimenoa River, relaxing beneath towering jungle trees, enjoying the resort amenities and preparing for the adventure ahead.

That evening, your guides will introduce the fundamentals of river safety, wilderness travel, camping, and expedition skills before your overnight rafting expedition.

Day 9: Whitewater Expedition Begins

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Launch onto the Yaque del Norte, the longest river in the Caribbean, for the first day of your two-day rafting expedition.

Navigate exciting rapids, paddle through lush tropical rainforest, and experience one of the Dominican Republic's most remote landscapes.

As evening approaches, establish camp along the riverbank, prepare dinner together, and spend the night beneath a canopy of stars surrounded by the sounds of the jungle.

Day 10: Complete the River Expedition

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Continue your journey downstream through scenic canyons and forested valleys before reaching the end of your expedition.

After returning to civilization, you’ll take a well earned shower and then we’ll go celebrate your accomplishments with a farewell dinner alongside your expedition team.

Together we’ll reflect on everything you've experienced—from living with Dominican families and earning your scuba certification to rafting the Caribbean's longest river—and look ahead to bringing those memories and lessons home.

Day 11: Departure

Included meals: Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, taking with you new friendships, new skills, and a deeper understanding of the Dominican Republic and the people who call it home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Student safety is our top priority. During activities, we maintain a maximum ratio of 3 students to every trained professional, and no more than 7 students per responsible adult throughout the rest of the trip. By keeping groups small, our team can provide close supervision, respond quickly when needed, and ensure every student receives the attention they deserve.
Read our safety philosophy
We include 1 free chaperone for every 7 students you bring. Chaperones enjoy the full expedition experience, including all activities, certifications, meals, private accommodations, and flights.
For groups of fewer than 15 students, we've intentionally built free time into the itinerary so your group has the flexibility to explore on your own.

For groups of 15 or more, we're happy to work with you to create a fully customized expedition tailored to your goals.
We recommend booking at least 3 months in advance to ensure everything is organized and ready for your trip. If space is still available, we'll accept bookings up to 6 weeks before departure.

Chaperones receive the same incredible experience as their students, with all activities, certifications, meals, and accommodations included. They also enjoy private hotel rooms throughout the trip, and round-trip flights from Miami are included at no additional cost.
Possibly. We evaluate these requests on a case-by-case basis. In most cases, families prefer the complimentary spot to be used by a teacher, coach, or parent who can help supervise the group. If your situation is unique, we're happy to discuss the best option with you.
Yes. Round-trip flights between Miami International Airport and the Dominican Republic are included in the expedition price. If your group is traveling from another location, we'll help you coordinate travel to and from Miami to make the journey as smooth as possible.
We'll reach out to schedule a quick call to learn more about your group, answer any questions, and walk you through the next steps.

In most cases parents and teachers want to meet with our team to ask questions about the trip and to build trust in our program. We aim to do this session in-person at your school, local facility or by video call.