Participants will travel throughout the Dominican Republic. The 5 Included Activities (included in the Program Cost) will be determined by ISV, Inc. and will be included in the ISV Participant Travel Manual sent to participants 30 days prior to their departure date. The adventure will include such optional activities as:

• Horseback riding to secluded waterfalls
• Whitewater Rafting on the Yaque del Norte River
• Surfing and Snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea
• Canyoning- rappelling, hiking, cliff- jumping and sliding down natural waterfalls
• Exploring the largest cave in the Caribbean
• Discover the capital city of Santo Domingo. Go merengue dancing, wander the cobblestone streets in the footsteps of conquistadors and pirates and see the old Spanish architecture in the Colonial areas of the historic city.

Adventure Tour Locations

Sample Tour Itinerary Outdoor Adventure Tour

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. 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. 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 Artefacts 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: Participants who choose the Optional Activity Package will go on a hike to the House of Tarzan. 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 mts/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. The only whitewater rafting trip in the Caribbean will take those with the Optional Activity Package 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. This is a unique opportunity to visit a high elevation canyon in the central highlands of the DR. 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, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, you will stop in Samana. The optional activity trip travels 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. Visit a spectacular cave where the Taino Indians lived. Kayak through red mangroves, floating by spectacular fauna and flora.This evening volunteers will arrive in the beautiful seaside town of Las Terrenas.

Day 9 - Las Terrenas (Horse Riding/Hiking/ Swimming): Begin the day early with a bus ride to 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. 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 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): On this action filled day, we will go 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. 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): Another adrenaline- packed day as those with the Optional Activity Package try canyoning as we go jumping and sliding down natural water slides at 27 waterfalls. 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, those signed up for the Optional Activity Package will have friendly staff with good equipment help them grasp the basics of windsurfing in the protected bay of Cabarete. 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. 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 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:  Most meals are provided by ISV. 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 more activities to make your experience unforgettable. Activities are subject to change but may include activities such as snorkeling in Sosua, white water rafting, waterfall rappelling, surfing, caving and tour of the colonial zone in Santo Domingo.

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)