"Not your typical vacation" Dominican Republic by fairy_dust

Dominican Republic Travel Guide: 3,714 reviews and 6,633 photos

The Survivors of the DR - Dominican Republic

3 weeks in the DR

I went to the Dominican Republic in 2001, with a Church program. A group of us went there to see and learn about poverty and justice issues in the Third World.

We didn't stay at a fancy all-inclusive resort, we stayed at a private home in San Cristobal with minimal comfort. I felt like I was on Survivor (but I think that's a good thing!) We also stayed with host families for a week in different towns (mine was in Consuelo). We also visited Santo Domingo (the capital), El Cacao (a coffee plantation village), and a batey (where sugar cane planation workers live). We saw and met the poorest of the poor in Dominican Republic.

We learned a lot in our experience, and now we are using what we saw and learned to teach others about poverty, faith, and justice in Third-World countries.

The Cast of Survivor - Dominican Republic

The ladies of Survivor after Tribal Council :D

Survivors:

Adam
Amanda
Amelie
Caolan
George
Jill
Julie
Kelly
Krista
Louise
Melissa
Naomi
Pat
Rebecca
Tiffeny

Leaders:
Joe (our Jeff Probst!)
Maureen
Cathy
Alicia and Quinn (2 girls from Ontario who helped with the program)

Dominicans who helped with the program:
Miguel and Amado - helped with activities and took us on tours
Luis - helped the leaders
Juan - our host, he owned the place in San Cristobal where we lived
Aney - our bus driver
Marta - our cook

Wanting to return...

Breakfast in the jungle

I must go back to Dominican Republic someday, I love it too much. The experience I had there was so much better than any all-inclusive beach vacation at "Tropical Paradise Hotel" where you only meet rich tourists. I went to meet the people, and experience life in a Third World country.

At our centre in San Cristobal, we lived together Survivor-style. With our host families, we learned about family life in the DR, and shared our experiences with one another. Me, Krista, Tiffeny, and Jill lived in a small sugar-factory town called Consuelo, George lived in a coffee plantation village in the mountains called El Cacao, Caolan and Julie lived in Bateys, Rebecca lived close to Santo Domingo, Pat lived near the Haitian border, and others lived in other places scattered all over the country. Experiences with living among the locals and seeing the life outside of the beach resorts are what make a stay in the Dominican Republic truly a journey to remember.

Last visit to Dominican Republic: Jun 2001
Intro Updated Aug 7, 2004
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Reviews (30)

Meeting children in a batey - Dominican Republic

Meeting the people Things to Do (4)

This could be a must-see or an off-the-beaten-path thing. Outside all the fancy resorts and touristy stuff, it's great... more travel advice

Tiffeny in Miguel's pickup truck - Dominican Republic

Among the locals... Transportation (3)

If you get a chance to live among the locals, you'll likely get to ride the back of a motorbike or pickup truck. In my... more travel advice

Me and local Dominicans braiding Tiffeny's hair - Dominican Republic

Hair braiding Tourist Traps (1)

Sometimes, locals on the beach will offer to braid your hair for money. Someone offered to braid hair extentions into my... more travel advice

The children of a batey we visited - Dominican Republic

Meeting the poorest of the poor Off The Beaten Path (1)

Since we were in the DR for a Church trip, to learn about poverty and injustice in the Third World, we visited some... more travel advice

Local Customs (6)
See All Dominican food
Shopping (2)
See All Souvenir shops
Nightlife (2)
See All Partying with the locals
Restaurants (2)
See All Fast food Survivor-style

Warnings Or Dangers (7)
See All Funny story - extreme politeness can...
Sports & Outdoors (1)
The local young men love sports
What to Pack (1)
For 3 weeks in the sun
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Comments (24)

Redvelvet215 May 19, 2010 at 10:04 PM Report Abuse

I am a hair braider in New Hampshire and Massachusetts and 600 pesos is very cheap that 16 american dollars. It is no way you are going to have someone to braid extensions in your hair for that cheap.
DAO Nov 10, 2009 at 1:18 PM Report Abuse

Would prefer a 'wow - you still have all your extremities and are alive' kiss in Krakow.
sourbugger Oct 4, 2008 at 10:36 AM Report Abuse

interesting page, especially the well written warnings and dangers part. cheers.
marielexoteria Dec 26, 2007 at 1:11 AM Report Abuse

I'm glad you liked your experience in my country. Merry Christmas and greetings :)
BAMA222 May 4, 2007 at 10:06 AM Report Abuse

IM LANDING IN SANTO DOMINGO AT 130 PM ON MAY 14TH 2007 IM NEEDING TO GET TO BAYHIBE LA, ROMANA TO THE DOMINICUS BEACH RESORT WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST MEANS OF TRAVEL TO GET THERE AND ABOUT HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ME IN US DOLLARS
disnavarro Jan 16, 2007 at 12:57 PM Report Abuse

Brugal is a great rum... you can also try Barcelo.
melosh Mar 19, 2006 at 5:03 PM Report Abuse

I enjoyed your tips. I was starting to think people only went to DR for the resorts.
spanishguy Feb 6, 2006 at 1:59 PM Report Abuse

You did a perfect job there. Thank you for share it.
VeronicaG Jan 28, 2006 at 12:10 PM Report Abuse

What a wonderful trip you had to the DR...and common sense tips, too! You've left your heart there, Amelie!
Brookeybabey Dec 18, 2005 at 6:45 PM Report Abuse

wow i think its awesome what you did in the dominican i did the exact same thing about a year ago and lived with a family in consuelo as well.. lol i was jsut curious if maybe even met some of the same people.. liek miguel possibly with his truck haha