# Offbeat Travel > Offbeat Travel is a locally owned destination management company (DMC) operating in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Founded in 2019 by Ricardo Romero, Harry Alvarez, and Wainer Ocampo — the team has been operating in Costa Rica since 2005 and the Dominican Republic since 2012 — Offbeat designs and operates locally led travel programs for three audiences: tour operators and travel brands (Travel Partners), educators running study abroad and service-learning programs (Education Abroad), and families or individuals seeking authentic experiences (Tailor-Made Travel). Offbeat is a ground operator — its team lives and works in the destinations, handling everything from guides and logistics to vendor relationships and safety protocols on behalf of its clients. ## Services Offbeat serves three distinct audiences. Each service page describes what Offbeat provides for that audience. - [Travel Partners](https://www.offbeattravel.com/services/travel-partners): White-label and co-branded destination management for tour operators and travel brands. B2B service. - [Education Abroad](https://www.offbeattravel.com/services/education-abroad): Study abroad and service-learning programs for educators and their students. Includes pre-departure support, local guides, and full logistics. - [Tailor-Made Travel](https://www.offbeattravel.com/services/tailor-made-travel): Custom family vacations, couples trips, and individual travel planned by local teams. ## Destinations - [Costa Rica](https://www.offbeattravel.com/destinations/costa-rica): Operating since 2005. Rainforests, volcanoes, sea turtle conservation, and community-driven experiences. - [Dominican Republic](https://www.offbeattravel.com/destinations/dominican-republic): Operating since 2012. Caribbean beaches, mountain villages, cultural immersion, and community service programs. - [Puerto Rico](https://www.offbeattravel.com/destinations/puerto-rico): Operating since 2021. Old San Juan, El Yunque, bioluminescent bays, and cultural experiences. ## Our Approach - [Safety and Security](https://www.offbeattravel.com/approach/safety-and-security): Risk management, Cornerstone Safety Group partnership, trained local teams, vendor vetting, and 24/7 emergency support. - [Responsible Travel](https://www.offbeattravel.com/approach/responsible-travel): Local hiring, locally owned vendors, community-driven service projects, and ethical tourism practices. - [Experiential Learning](https://www.offbeattravel.com/approach/experiential-learning): How Offbeat designs travel that promotes personal growth, cultural understanding, and meaningful connection. - [Photography](https://www.offbeattravel.com/approach/photography): How Offbeat approaches photography with intention and respect across its programs. ## About - [Our Story](https://www.offbeattravel.com/about/our-story): Founded by three travel professionals from Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic who believe tourism can be a force for good. - [Our Team](https://www.offbeattravel.com/about/our-team): Local guides, program managers, and leadership based year-round in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. - [Our Partners](https://www.offbeattravel.com/about/partners): Community organizations, industry associations (SYTA, Forum on Education Abroad, ATTA, Tourism Cares), and safety partners. ## Impact - [Impact Reports](https://www.offbeattravel.com/impact/reports): Annual reports on community service project outcomes since 2022. - [2025 Impact Report](https://www.offbeattravel.com/impact/2025-impact-report) - [2024 Impact Report](https://www.offbeattravel.com/impact/2024-impact-report) - [2023 Impact Report](https://www.offbeattravel.com/impact/2023-impact-report) - [2022 Impact Report](https://www.offbeattravel.com/impact/2022-impact-report) ## Sample Itineraries Itineraries are tagged by service type: EA = Education Abroad, TM = Tailor-Made Travel, TP = Travel Partners. All itineraries are customizable. ### Costa Rica - [Arenal Reforestation Project](https://www.offbeattravel.com/itineraries/costa-rica-arenal-reforestation-project) [EA]: Reforestation and community service near La Fortuna. - [Costa Rica Off the Beaten Path](https://www.offbeattravel.com/itineraries/costa-rica-off-the-beaten-path) [TP]: Multi-region adventure with community impact for tour operator groups. - [Pacific Surf and Adventure](https://www.offbeattravel.com/itineraries/costa-rica-pacific-surf-and-adventure) [TM]: Pacific coast surf, hiking, and wildlife from Drake Bay to Manuel Antonio. - [Volcanoes, Cloud Forest, and the Blue Zone](https://www.offbeattravel.com/itineraries/costa-rica-volcanoes-cloud-forest-and-the-blue-zone) [TM]: Arenal, Monteverde, and the Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone. - [Young Explorers in the Rainforest](https://www.offbeattravel.com/itineraries/costa-rica-young-explorerers-in-the-rainforest) [TM]: Family itinerary through Costa Rica's rainforests and wildlife areas. ### Dominican Republic - [Batey Life and Immigration](https://www.offbeattravel.com/itineraries/dominican-republic-batey-life-and-immigration) [EA]: Student immersion in batey communities with service projects. - [Caribbean Hydrology and Water Systems](https://www.offbeattravel.com/itineraries/dominican-republic-caribbean-hydrology-and-water-systems) [EA]: STEM-focused water systems and aqueduct construction. - [Dominican Business and Culture](https://www.offbeattravel.com/itineraries/dominican-republic-business-and-culture) [EA]: Business, entrepreneurship, and cultural immersion in the DR. - [East Coast Adventure](https://www.offbeattravel.com/itineraries/dominican-republic-east-coast-adventure) [TM]: Beaches, culture, and adventure along the Dominican east coast. - [Mountains to Whales](https://www.offbeattravel.com/itineraries/dominican-republic-mountains-to-whales) [TM]: Cordillera Central highlands to Samaná whale watching. - [STEM Marine Conservation](https://www.offbeattravel.com/itineraries/dominican-republic-stem-marine-conservation) [EA]: Coral reef restoration with FUNDEMAR in Bayahibe. ### Puerto Rico - [Escape to Vieques](https://www.offbeattravel.com/itineraries/puerto-rico-escape-to-vieques) [TM]: Bioluminescent bays, beaches, and island culture on Vieques. - [Puerto Rico: Colonization Today](https://www.offbeattravel.com/itineraries/puerto-rico-colonization-today) [EA]: History, politics, and community resilience in Puerto Rico. ## Blog - [Blog](https://www.offbeattravel.com/blog): Travel insights, destination guides, staff stories, and perspectives on responsible travel from the Offbeat team. ## Other - [Careers](https://www.offbeattravel.com/careers): Opportunities for guides and operations staff in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. - [Contact Us](https://www.offbeattravel.com/contact): Inquiry forms for travel partners, educators, and families.