All team members are personally responsible for the following expenses:

• Passports- must not expire within 6 months of the trip!
• Updated immunizations per your personal physician
• $100 registration fee (non-refundable)
• Round-trip flights, checked bag fee for 1 personal bag, if needed (Flights approx $850-$1,000)
• Incidentals, including meals out, excursions and souvenirs (suggest $200-300​)
• Lodging for the week- will be impacted by team fundraising received by deadline (approximately 90 days before departure, will be specified at 1st team meeting)

​All team members are requested to make team meetings a high priority. As a group, the team is encouraged and mentored in terms of fundraising, for the benefit of the whole team (to help offset lodging and needed supplies).

Sisters Village will cover checked bag fee ($40 each) for supply bag only, also tips for the following service persons in the DR: hotel staff, bus driver, interpreters. Team members are welcome to provide additional tips for excellent service.

Team facilitator will receive a $250 stipend in recognition of the following responsibilities:

1.  Scheduling and running team meetings
2.  Collecting and submitting funds for lodging in the DR
3.  Travel day assistance (baggage, customs, etc) 
4.  Other admin/planning tasks as needed
5.  In addition, the team facilitator receives fundraising offset as a team member

Team members will receive a year end receipt for tax purposes with the net expenses (registration plus lodging minus fundraising- equal share- received by deadline) recognized as a charitable deduction for tax purposes.
 

​​Health Questions
Please check this link from the Center for Disease Control for recent updates.
https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/americas-caribbean/dominican-republic
​
1. Will I need any special vaccines?

• Make sure your tetanus and other routine shots are up to date. Your primary doctor can assist in these decisions.
• As of April 2025, the CDC strongly recommends full vaccination for Covid -19, seasonal flu and Hepatitis A  prior to travel to the DR.  Again, please discuss with your own physician. 

2. What about mosquito-borne illnesses (malaria, zika)?

• Anti-malarial medications can be prescribed for you by your family doctor. Zika creates higher risk of consequences during pregnancy. Please consult your physician if you are planning a pregnancy. For both of these viruses, the best advice is liberal use of mosquito spray.

3. Any other suggested medications?

• ​Many team members bring a prescription of Cipro for use in case of travelers' diarrhea.

Travel FAQ

1. American Airlines flies to Puerto Plata, DR on the north coast. Team members travel together into Puerto Plata. Each team member is responsible for their own airline ticket expense.
2. Your passport needs to be valid for 6 months following the trip.
3. The Dominican Republic observes Atlantic Standard Time year round.
4. Weather: Beautiful Caribbean climate: weatherspark.com/y/26770/Average-Weather-in-Puerto-Plata-Dominican-Republic-Year-Round