Volunteer in the Dominican Republic

Santiago was originally named, “Santiago de los Treinta Caballeros,” or Saint of the 30 Gentlemen, and is the second largest city in the Dominican Republic. It is known as the “heart city” because of its fertile surroundings and central location. It is a thriving metropolis surrounded by cocoa, tobacco, coffee, and rum production. Individuals who volunteer in Santiago can visit farms and museums and learn about the area’s various trades.

Santo Domingo, the nation’s capital city, was founded in 1496 and is filled with examples of baroque architecture and the city’s Colonial Zone is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is home to a lot of firsts for the Americas. The first castle, monastery, and cathedral were built in Santo Domingo, and it is the first European settlement. Volunteering in Santo Domingo provides volunteers with not only meaningful placements but also interesting sites to see and things to do. This southern coastal city even has a dance club inside an underground cave!

A handful of Dominican Republic volunteer programs are available in other cities and rural areas of the country.

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Latest Program Reviews

Best Summer Ever in the Dominican Republic!

November 21, 2025by: Sarah Phillips - United StatesProgram: VISIONS Service Adventures: Dominican Republic

10

This was honestly one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. The program was amazing! We got to do so many cultural activities, like learning traditional dances (the community was so good and super patient with us lol) and playing dominos almost every day. Dominos got intense but in a fun way, and everyone in the community was really welcoming. My favorite part was definitely the service work. We taught English to kids, which I was kind of nervous about at first, but it ended up being really fun and I actually felt like I was helping. We also worked on building a classroom for a local school, and seeing it come together was seriously awesome. It made me feel proud to be part of something that will stay there after we left. I made great friends, learned a ton, and had so many moments I’ll never forget. I totally recommend this program if you want a mix of fun, culture, and real community service. It was honestly life-changing!

Best Summer Ever in the Dominican Republic!

November 21, 2025by: Sarah Phillips - United StatesProgram: VISIONS Service Adventures: Dominican Republic

10

This was honestly one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. The program was amazing! We got to do so many cultural activities, like learning traditional dances (the community was so good and super patient with us lol) and playing dominos almost every day. Dominos got intense but in a fun way, and everyone in the community was really welcoming. My favorite part was definitely the service work. We taught English to kids, which I was kind of nervous about at first, but it ended up being really fun and I actually felt like I was helping. We also worked on building a classroom for a local school, and seeing it come together was seriously awesome. It made me feel proud to be part of something that will stay there after we left. I made great friends, learned a ton, and had so many moments I’ll never forget. I totally recommend this program if you want a mix of fun, culture, and real community service. It was honestly life-changing!

Mrs

October 23, 2025by: Dignae Peter - TanzaniaProgram: Volunteer World: Best Volunteer Abroad Programs Worldwide

10

New culture, new people, New Life. When we exchange our perspectives, ideas and plans to make a world better place for everyone. It's good to go different places it helps me view life in many directions