Dominican Business and Culture
Food manufacturing, tourism policy, sugar's social legacy, film production, and sustainable coffee across Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macorís, Jarabacoa, and Santiago
Industry, Policy, and Community Across the Dominican Republic
From Factory Floors to Government Ministries
This study abroad program covers the Dominican Republic's economic landscape through direct access to the people and institutions that shape it. Students visit Goya's production facilities, tour La Aurora Cigars (the country's oldest cigar producer), and see the growing film industry at Lantica Studios. Meetings with ASONAHORES (the national tourism association) and MITUR (the Ministry of Tourism) connect business operations to national policy. At UNPHU in Santiago, Centro León provides cultural context through its exhibitions on Dominican art, history, and identity.
Community, Legacy, and the People Behind the Economy
The program also examines how industries affect the communities around them. A visit to Ingenio Porvenir, a historic sugar mill, traces how sugar production shaped migration, labor, and the batey communities that still exist today. ASCALA, a grassroots organization working with batey families, shows the other side of that story — education, advocacy, and long-term social mobility. In Jarabacoa, students visit Café Monte Alto for sustainable coffee production and meet the women of Club de Madres La Nueva Esperanza, a community group focused on entrepreneurship.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Eight days across the Dominican Republic's business landscape, from food manufacturing and tourism policy in Santo Domingo to sustainable agriculture and community advocacy in Jarabacoa and Santiago. Every element of this itinerary can be adjusted to fit your program's learning objectives.
Day 1: Arrival in Santo Domingo
Arrive in Santo Domingo and transfer to your hotel in the historic Colonial Zone. After check-in, gather for a welcome orientation covering program objectives and an overview of the Dominican Republic's economic and cultural landscape. Enjoy your first taste of traditional Dominican cuisine at a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Lodging: Hodelpa Novus Plaza, Santo Domingo
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Goya and ASONAHORES
Visit Goya's production facilities to see large-scale food manufacturing and distribution in the Caribbean market. Learn about supply chains, branding, and the company's role in supporting local producers.
In the afternoon, meet with representatives from ASONAHORES, the National Association of Hotels and Tourism, to explore the impact of tourism on the Dominican economy. Discussions focus on sustainability, hospitality trends, and the country's positioning as a leading destination in the region.
Lodging: Hodelpa Novus Plaza, Santo Domingo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 3: Ingenio Porvenir and ASCALA
Travel to San Pedro de Macorís to visit Ingenio Porvenir, a historic sugar mill. Learn how the sugar economy shaped migration patterns, labor systems, and the development of batey communities — settlements originally built to house sugarcane workers and their families. The visit covers both the economic significance of sugar production and the complex social challenges that emerged alongside it.
In the afternoon, meet with ASCALA, a community-based organization that works directly with families in batey communities connected to the sugar industry. ASCALA focuses on education, youth development, legal documentation support, and advocacy for the rights of children and migrants, many of whom are descendants of Haitian sugarcane workers who historically labored at mills like Ingenio Porvenir. Through conversation and site visits, see how ASCALA's programs respond to the generational effects of the sugar economy by promoting access to schooling, civic inclusion, and long-term social mobility.
Lodging: Hodelpa Novus Plaza, Santo Domingo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 4: Lantica Studios and Juan Dolio
Visit Lantica Studios, the Dominican Republic's premier film production facility. Learn about the country's growing role in the global film industry, including tax incentives, infrastructure development, and the economic ripple effects of international productions.
In the afternoon, head to Juan Dolio for time along the Caribbean coast.
Lodging: Hodelpa Novus Plaza, Santo Domingo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 5: Transfer to Jarabacoa, Café Monte Alto, and Community Engagement
After breakfast, transfer to Jarabacoa, a mountain town known for its lush landscapes and cooler climate. Visit Café Monte Alto to learn about sustainable coffee production from bean to cup. Then meet with the women of Club de Madres La Nueva Esperanza to hear about their community initiatives and entrepreneurial efforts.
The day concludes at Sonido del Yaque Eco Lodge, where you explore environmental sustainability practices and the surrounding natural landscape.
Lodging: Hotel Pinar Dorado, Jarabacoa
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 6: La Aurora Cigars and Centro León
Visit La Aurora Cigars Factory, the oldest cigar producer in the Dominican Republic. Observe the craftsmanship and tradition behind one of the country's most iconic exports, and learn about production processes, global markets, and brand legacy.
In the afternoon, explore Centro León in Santiago, a cultural institution that highlights Dominican art, history, and identity. Its exhibitions provide context for the country's social and cultural evolution.
Lodging: Hodelpa Garden Court, Santiago de los Caballeros
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 7: Return to Santo Domingo and MITUR
Travel back to Santo Domingo. In the afternoon, visit MITUR (Ministry of Tourism) to discuss national tourism strategy, development policies, and public-private collaboration. The meeting provides a look at how tourism is managed and promoted at the governmental level.
In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner to reflect on the week.
Lodging: Hodelpa Novus Plaza, Santo Domingo
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport. Depending on flight schedules, there may be time for last-minute shopping or a walk through the Colonial Zone. ¡Adiós, República Dominicana!
Meals: Breakfast
What happens when you visit Dominican Republic
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