We’ll explore historic districts and landmarks, go to museums, hear from Dominican scholars, chat with locals, and visit small businesses and family farms.

But don’t worry: we also create our itineraries with plenty of time to relax on the beach and explore on your own.

Culturismo travelers are curious, adventurous, and eager to connect with others. If that sounds like you, you’ll be a good fit!

Our trips are active but not physically challenging. We’ve hosted adults of all ages—from mid-20s to mid-80s, and everyone in between.

Culturismo is also an LGBTQ+-friendly business. For more information about traveling safely while queer, see “Is it safe?”

Absolutely not! While in Las Terrenas, we will have multiple beach days. We will also cross Samaná Bay by boat to reach Los Haitises National Park.

Santo Domingo hugs the Caribbean Sea but there are no beaches in the city. Our hotel, however, does have a swimming pool.

Sustainable tourism is a style of travel that seeks to minimize traditional negative impacts of tourism while amplifying the positive.

We strive to practice sustainable tourism by choosing locally-owned accommodations, restaurants, and businesses, giving you a chance to put money in the hands of people on the island, instead of foreign-owned conglomerates.

Wherever possible, we work directly with Dominican operators, guides, and owners.

Nope! We’ve got you covered. Our guides speak Spanish fluently, and can help you communicate anything you might need. The readings prepared especially for our travelers are in English.

That said, we will provide you with some “survival Spanish” resources, and we encourage you to practice!

We’ll provide you with a detailed packing list when you book your tour. That said, you don’t need to bring anything special, nor are any special inoculations needed for the DR.

We will certainly help you with dietary restrictions, as explained in Culturismo’s Terms and Conditions.

We’ve hosted vegan guests and can ensure there’s always an option for vegetarian and vegan diners. Our welcome dinner is hosted at Time, a vegetarian restaurant.

We can also accommodate gluten-free needs (rice is a Dominican staple) and other allergies. Since our guides speak Spanish, we can help you communicate your needs.

As in all countries, there is some street crime in the Dominican Republic. That said, our tour focuses on two main locations: the Colonial District in Santo Domingo, and Las Terrenas, a beach town in Samaná.

Both locations are popular with and safe for tourists, with a special tourist police who are always there to help. The crime rate is low in both areas, though as with any city, you should always exercise caution, particularly against pickpockets.

Your safety is our main priority, and we will always be available to help you should you feel unsafe.

LGBTQ travelers: Homosexuality is not criminalized in the Dominican Republic, though gay marriage is not legal. However, while more conservative than destinations in the US and Europe, cultural attitudes, especially in the areas we visit, have become more progressive. We’ve met queer Dominicans and tourists on past trips, and two of our operators are queer. We will always do everything we can to make you feel welcomed and safe. If you have concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly.

More detailed and logistical information will be provided to you once you book your tour. We’ll cover topics like:

• The exchange rate

• Tipping culture

• International phone plans

• Weather

• Health concerns

If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to culturismodr@gmail.com!

We provide a transparent quote with no hidden costs.

As we work on our webpage, the best way to reach us is through our email (culturismodr@gmail.com).