Dominican Farming & Production Explorer – Educational Travel in the Dominican Republic
Explore some of the most important and high-value sectors of the Dominican economy, including agriculture, sustainable farming, and organic food production, while comparing lifestyle traditions across diverse rural communities. The immersive Dominican Farming & Production Explorer educational tour focuses on planting, cultivating, and harvesting food crops, livestock production, and understanding food systems. Participants gain firsthand insight into rural Dominican life, cultural traditions, and sustainable agricultural practices through direct engagement with local farms, producers, and communities.
Dominican Farming & Production Explorer Overview:
Duration
9 Days / 8 Nights
Activity Level
Moderate
Tour Type
Guided Edu Tour
Group Size
Min.: 16 Students
Guided in
English, Spanish
Age Range
18+
Duration
9 Days / 8 Nights
Activity Level
Moderate
Tour Type
Guided Edu Tour
Group Size
Min.: 16 Students
Guided in
English, Spanish
Age Range
18+
Dominican Farming & Production Explorer Educational Trip highlights & Academic focus:
Experience an immersive journey into the heart of Dominican rural life, agricultural systems, and cultural heritage. Explore sustainable farming, organic cultivation, and food production through direct engagement with local farms, producers, and communities. Learn about native crops, agroecology, forestry, and the vital role agriculture plays in the Dominican Republic’s economy, environment, and cultural identity.
The program includes the following visits and experiential learning activities:
Santo Domingo City Tour — Visit traditional grocery stores and a local food fair to explore food distribution, markets, and consumption.
Yamasá Chocolate Tour — Discover the cacao production process, from harvesting cacao pods to producing traditional Dominican chocolate.
Reforestation Initiative — Participate in pine tree planting while learning about forest conservation and environmental sustainability.
Hands-On Agricultural Experience — Engage in planting, cultivating, and harvesting food crops alongside local farmers.
Banana Plantation Visit — Explore banana production systems, harvesting methods, and fair trade practices.
Food Packing and Distribution — Examine how agricultural products are processed, packed, and transported from farms to local markets.
Dominican Coffee Tour — Learn how coffee cherries are harvested and processed into one of the Dominican Republic’s important agricultural export products.
Livestock and Poultry Farming Visit — Explore animal care, food production systems, and rural farming livelihoods.
Sugar Cane and Rum Production Tour — Explore traditional sugar cultivation and its connection to Dominican rum production.
Coastal Field Visit and Recreation — Visit two different Dominican beaches while observing coastal environments and enjoying recreational time.
Dominican Farming & Production Explorer Educational Tour Map:
Santo Domingo – Monte Plata – Constanza – Jarabacoa – San Pedro de Macoris – Azua – Santo Domingo
The total travel distance for this multi-day Dominican Farming & Production Explorer Educational Tour is approximately 950 km, all comfortably covered by a private coach.
The Dominican Farming & Production Explorer Study Trip - Detailed Itinerary:
DAY 1. Arrival at Santo Domingo International Airport (SDQ)
Thank you for participating in the Dominican Farming & Production Explorer educational tour project and Welcome to Santo Domingo – the 1st city of the New World and the Capital of the Dominican Republic made up of history, culture and traditions. Immerse yourself in traditional life of the Dominican capital – a mixture of colonial style and modern Caribbean elegance.
SDQ Airport Transfer
- Arrival in Santo Domingo International Airport (SDQ)
- Meet & Greet at the airport. Meet your tour director
- Private group transfer to Santo Domingo hotel. | Bottled water
Hotel Accommodation
- Conveniently located 3-star hotel in Santo Domingo. Bed & Breakfast
- Hotel check in starts at 3 p.m.
Scheduled Activities
- Welcome briefing & tour instructions – meet your expert guides and your group
Included Meals
- Group welcome dinner
DAY 2. The Dominican Capital City
To explore the Dominican Capital city of Santo Domingo take a full-day guided tour including the most famous, both historical and cultural urban life attractions. Additionally, enjoy an opportunity to learn about Dominican culinary traditions and habits by visiting local food markets and grocery stores.
Service-Learning: Understanding Dominican Food Crops – From Farm to Plate.
- Dominican food variety that is offered in both an agricultural market and a grocery store.
- Interviewing locals on their favorite food and what province the food crop comes from.
- Food Crops in traditional culture of local gastronomy and a general food consumption scale.
- Local food crops geography – interactive learning activity.
On-tour transportation
- Private comfortable coach
- On board: bottled water
Hotel Accommodation
- Conveniently located 3-star hotel in Santo Domingo. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Buffet breakfast in the hotel
- Buffet lunch. Traditional local cuisine.
Scheduled Activities
- Farmers marketplace of agricultural crops
- Local supermarket and a grocery store
- Walking tour in the Colonial city recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- City public transportation - cable car ride
- Degustation of organic chocolate products
- Enjoy a free evening with dinner on own in Colonial Santo Domingo
DAY 3. The Chocolate province of Monte Plata
Cocoa production is one of the most popular agricultural business in Monte Plata province. The production process of this tasty food begins with harvesting cacao pods, followed by fermentation and beans drying. Join the process and roast cacao beans to get cocoa nibs, and then grind them into an oily chocolate paste – chocolate liquor. After that you can prepare your organic hot chocolate.
Service-Learning: Organic Cocoa Production – From Cacao Pod to Mug.
- Introduction to Cacao Farming: From Flower to Pod – growing and harvesting cacao.
- Mastering the Basics Workshop: From Beans to Nibs unlocking flavor – hands-on roasting and winnowing.
- Practical skills Workshop: From Nibs to Paste – authentic manual grinding technique and forming cocoa liquor cakes to prepare hot chocolate.
- Dominican Organic Food – name the food quiz, before lunch time.
On-tour Transportation
- Private comfortable coach
- On board: bottled water
Hotel Accommodation
- Locally owned 3-star hotel in Constanza. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Buffet breakfast Santo Domingo hotel
- Typical countryside buffet lunch. Dominican organic cuisine
Scheduled Activities
- Guided chocolate tour and local traditions of Yamasa
- Private group transportation: Santo Domingo - Yamasa - Constanza
DAY 4. The Dominican Switzerland
The agricultural region of Constanza is famous for cultivating a variety of crops such as strawberries, flowers, vegetables, as well as for livestock and poultry farming. Constanza is locally known as “Switzerland of the Caribbean” for its unique cool climate conditions and high-altitude location.
Service-Learning: Comprehensive Agricultural Immersion – Hands-on experience in sustainability.
- The Pine Promise: A Reforestation Initiative – Habitat restoration project.
- From Root to Fruit: Farm Operations and Interactive harvesting.
- From Field to Box: A journey through the packing line.
On-tour Transportation
- Private comfortable bus
- On board the bus: bottled water
Hotel Accommodation
- Locally owned 3-star hotel in Constanza. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Continental breakfast
- Lunch at a local restaurant
Scheduled Activities
- Pine tree planting initiative
- Agricultural tour. Harvesting food crops.
- Crop food packing factory
DAY 5. Constanza - Jarabacoa
After breakfast we are going to visit a livestock and poultry farm where you will see a variety of domestic animals. Find out the agricultural practice of breeding, raising and managing livestock and poultry for various products of human consumption. Then, we will explore natural stages and techniques of organic coffee production process.
Service-Learning: Integrated Farm Experience.
- Integrated Livestock and Poultry farm exploration. Welfare and well-being of Domestic animals.
- Unlocking the Aroma: Artisan organic coffee production process.
- Creative Expression: What was the most surprising and interesting thing you learned last days.
On-tour Transportation
- Private comfortable coach
- On board: bottled water
Hotel Accommodation
- Riverside 3-star hotel in Jarabacoa. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Continental breakfast
Scheduled Activities
- Livestock and poultry farming
- Dominican organic coffee production
- Enjoy a free evening and dinner on own in Jarabacoa hotel
DAY 6. Jarabacoa Adventures
After breakfast at your riverside hotel in Jarabacoa, board authentic safari trucks for a scenic ride to the rafting base. Following a professional safety briefing and equipment fitting, embark on an exciting white-water rafting adventure on the Yaque del Norte River, the Caribbean’s longest river, surrounded by breathtaking mountain landscapes. After the adventure, enjoy a traditional Dominican lunch before returning to the hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the river, relaxing in the natural surroundings, or enjoying the hotel’s facilities.
Service-Learning: Adventure, Leadership & Sustainability
- Examine the relationship between river ecosystems, local communities, and sustainable tourism while strengthening teamwork, trust, and leadership through experiential outdoor learning.
On-tour transportation
- Safari trucks
Hotel Accommodation
- Riverside 3-star hotel in Jarabacoa. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Continental breakfast at the hotel
- Traditional dominican lunch
Scheduled Activities
- River Rafting Adventure
- Enjoy a free evening and dinner on own in the hotel
DAY 7. Dominican Rum Production
The Eastern region of the Dominican Republic stretches out like a green ocean of sugarcane plantations shaped by centuries of agricultural traditions. Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of sugarcane—from planting and harvesting to it transformation into world-renowned Dominican rum. After the rum production class you will enjoy Boca Chica beach with both a buffet lunch and an open bar included.
Service-Learning: The Field of Sweetness: Exploring Sugarcane Production.
- The True Price of Sugar in frames of Dominican Society Life: A Service-Learning Investigation.
- The Cane cycle and its field experience. Sweets in a Healthy Life Discussion.
- Artisan Rum Crafting – How a plant becomes a spirit: from fermentation to bottling process.
On-tour transportation
- Private comfortable coach
- On board: bottled water
Hotel Accommodation
- Conveniently located 3-star hotel in Santo Domingo. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Continental breakfast in Jarabacoa hotel
Scheduled Activities
- Sugarcane plantations
- Rum factory tour
- Boca Chica Beach visit. Lunch on own on the beach
- Enjoy a free evening with dinner on own in Colonial Santo Domingo
DAY 8. Santo Domingo - Azua - Santo Domingo
Experience authentic charm of the province of Azua. Explore banana plantations and find out about harvesting and preparation process for trading. After midday we are going to the local beach for lunch and fun.
Service-Learning: Banana Plant Farming: The Banana Supply Chain Studies.
a) Understanding Banana Plant Farming – Why it’s not a tree or a bush – What is it?
b) The Lifecycle of Banana – Hands-on work that benefits the plantation and the community.
c) Efficiency in Produce: Banana Harvesting & Packing Operations.
On-tour transportation
- Private comfortable coach
- On board: bottled water
Hotel Accommodation
- Conveniently located 3-star hotel in Santo Domingo. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Buffet breakfast in the hotel
Scheduled Activities
- Banana plantations
- Banana packing factory
- Public beach in Azua with lunch on own
DAY 9. Departure. SDQ Airport
Airport transfer. Departure to SDQ International Las Americas Airport
Included Meals
- Buffet breakfast 7:00 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Santo Domingo Hotel
- Check out at 12 p.m. (the latest time)
Included SDQ Airport Transfer
- Private group transfer from Santo Domingo hotel to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ).
- Depart at any time.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
Arrival & Departure
The Dominican Farming and Production Explorer group educational tour is quoted per student, based on a minimum required group size of 16 students, with all participants arriving at and departing together from Santo Domingo International Airport. Additional private airport transfers can be arranged for an extra charge.
Accommodation & Rates
All published rates are per student per the group tour package (Dominican Logistics Package), based on double occupancy (sharing a DBL room with twin beds).
Accommodation includes:
- 4 nights at a 3-star hotel in Santo Domingo
- 2 nights at a 3-star hotel in Constanza
- 2 nights at a 3-star hotel in Jarabacoa
Breakfast is included throughout the stay.
- Supplemental Rates: Rates for single occupancy (SGL room) or a third person in a double room are available upon request.
- Age Restriction: This tour is exclusively for participants aged 18 years and older.
- Pre/Post-Tour Services: Extra nights in Santo Domingo Hotel or additional airport transfers can be arranged at a special rate. Please inquire at the time of booking.
We recommend bringing:
- Water shoes
- Beach towel
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Any personal medication you may need
Health, Safety & Dietary Requirements
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants, please review the following requirements carefully.
- Dietary Requirements
Please advise your booking agent of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. While we strive to accommodate requests, we must assess in advance whether we can fully meet your needs for all included meals and food-related activities. - Health & Fitness Acknowledgement
All participants must be in good physical and mental health. This tour is not suitable for individuals with certain conditions, including but not limited to: heart disease, vertigo, seizures, balance disorders, or severe allergies to foods or materials involved in the tour activities. - Participation Restrictions
For safety reasons, participation is not recommendable for:
- Pregnant women.
- People who do not meet the health and fitness criteria outlined above.
The Published Program Student Fee = Per-Person Dominican Logistics Fee Includes:
- Group meet-and-greet upon arrival | bottled water
- Round-trip group airport transfers: SDQ Airport – Santo Domingo – SDQ Airport
- Private group transportation throughout the tour | Daily bottled water
- 2 nights at a 3-star hotel in Constanza
- 2 nights at a 3-star hotel in Jarabacoa
- 4 nights at a 3-star hotel in Santo Domingo.
- Hotel accommodation is based on double occupancy (sharing a double room with twin beds)
- Meals: 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, welcome dinner
- Official tour guide assistance
- Days 2-8: Full-Day interactive activities as outlined in the detailed itinerary
Not Included:
- Farewell Dinner
- Local taxes and applicable payment fees
- Airfare and airport fees
- Mandatory international medical and travel insurance
- Meals not indicated as included in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Booking Terms and Conditions
All requests must be submitted via email to book@academtours.com
Group tour dates are proposed by an educational institution or any other organization in its e-mail quote request. A college or university group leader, or another authorized representative, may submit a booking or amendment request in accordance with the educational institution’s requirements.
We do not charge enrollment fees; however, a non-refundable deposit of USD 300.00 per student is required to confirm and guarantee your booking for the Dominican Farming and Production Explorer educational tour.
Early Bookings: For each student enrolled more than 90 days before the arrival date with a USD 300 non-refundable deposit paid, a USD 100 early-booking discount will be applied to the published student Dominican logistics fee.
Extra Nights: Additional pre- or post-tour nights in Santo Domingo are available upon request. A special rate of USD 110.00 per double room (twin beds for two guests) per night, including buffet breakfast, applies.
Payment Instructions
To confirm the Dominican Farming and Production Explorer student group tour package, a non-refundable deposit of USD 300.00 per student is required.
The remaining balance must be paid in full no later than 22 days before the group’s arrival in the Dominican Republic.
You may choose to pay the full balance at once or arrange an approved payment plan after booking.
All payments must be made in USD by bank wire transfer or by credit/debit card via Payment Link. An additional processing fee applies to card payments.
Cancellation Policy
You may cancel your Dominican Farming and Production Explorer student group booking up to 22 days before the first tour date. The USD 300.00 deposit per student is non-refundable.
For cancellation requests received 21 to 8 days before the first tour date, a refund will be issued less the non-refundable USD 300.00 deposit per student and an additional per-student USD 200.00 cancellation fee.
No refunds will be provided for cancellation requests received within 7 days of the first tour date.
Early Booking
For each student enrolled more than 90 days before the arrival date with a USD 300 non-refundable deposit paid, a USD 100 early-booking discount will be applied to the published Student Dominican Logistics Fee.
Complimentary Faculty Leader
For every 10 paying students, 1 faculty leader receives the Dominican Logistics Fee FOC (Free of Charge), including accommodation and all land services included in the published program. International airfare, medical and travel insurance, and personal expenses are excluded.
Group Enrollment Bonus
Groups of 21 or more students enjoy additional savings and enhanced benefits.
2027 Special Offer — Bookings made in 2026
- 16 paying students: 2 faculty leaders receive the Dominican Logistics Fee FOC.
- 25 paying students: Every 26th student receives the Dominican Logistics Fee FOC.
From: USD 1,700
