{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "EducationalOccupationalProgram", "name": "Dominican Republic Cacao & Culture Program", "provider": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "AEA Study Abroad", "url": "http://www.aeastudyabroad.com" }, "timeToComplete": "P8D", "hasCourse": [ { "@type": "Course", "name": "Cacao Heritage & Agriculture", "description": "Tours of organic cacao plantations, hands-on planting, tasting, and harvesting activities." }, { "@type": "Course", "name": "Community Engagement", "description": "Meetings with women’s organizations and cultural leaders." }, { "@type": "Course", "name": "Caribbean Culture & History", "description": "Guided tours in Santo Domingo, El Seibo, and coastal Boca Chica." } ] }

🇩🇴 AEA Dominican Republic | Cacao & Culture

📅 Itinerary

🛫 Day 1: Travel Day to Dominican Republic

  • Flight to Santo Domingo

🏙️ Day 2: Santo Domingo Tour

  • Morning colonial city tour
  • Meetings with cacao producers, Ministry of Tourism & Agriculture
  • Travel to San Francisco de Macorís

🌱 Day 3: San Francisco de Macorís

  • Visit organic cacao plantation
  • Hands-on activities: planting, tasting & interactive tours
  • Transfer to Los Botados → Stay at Tour de Chocolate guest house
  • Home-cooked dinner

🍫 Day 4: Los Botados

  • Visit cacao farm in Vincentillo: harvesting, tasting, hot chocolate sampling
  • Lunch with women’s community organization
  • Taste marmalade & chocolates made locally

🤝 Day 5: Los Botados & El Seibo

  • Community day with Women Esperanzas Unidas
  • Explore El Seibo city in the afternoon

🌄 Day 6: Los Botados – Free Day

  • Optional countryside walks
  • Riverside picnic lunch
  • Horseback riding through hills

🏖️ Day 7: Boca Chica

  • Travel to the coast for Caribbean beach day
  • Evening farewell dinner

🛫 Day 8: Departure

  • Return flight to USA

📦 Program Includes

  • 📚 Academic & professional excursions
  • 🧑‍🏫 Bilingual guides & cultural field trips
  • 🎟️ Entrance fees & reservations
  • 🏨 Accommodation in 3-star hotels (twin for students, single for faculty)
  • 🍽️ Daily breakfast, welcome & farewell dinner
  • 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 On-site coordinator during excursions
  • 🗺️ Orientation sessions & city maps

🌍 Overview

The AEA Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 Cacao & Culture Program immerses students in the history and culture of cacao while engaging with local communities and women’s organizations. From colonial Santo Domingo to organic cacao farms, and finally the Caribbean coast, students learn through all five senses.