Recommended Packing List

This packing list is a compilation of recommendations by 4T staff and former program participants modified for your specific program itinerary. It is more important to us that you consider the need of each item below than to actually bring everything itemized on this list. You will find that you will be able to economize in several areas by bringing a single item that is capable of covering two or more of the needs listed below. We, by no means, are encouraging you to partake in a massive shopping spree just for the purposes of your trip to the DR. However, if it is on this list, then it is something that we (or those who have come before you) view as important to your comfort, safety and overall preparedness.

A few points worth mentioning…

Attire & The Big City
Like most Latin-American countries, the DR tends to be more formal than those of North America in several aspects of everyday life. This is particularly true for dress. Out of respect we encourage you to adjust your behaviors to those more in-line with our country-hosts. Dominicans, of all social classes, take great pride in their appearance. In larger cities, such as Santo Domingo and Santiago, men wear pants or jeans with a short or long sleeved shirt and shoes (as opposed to sneakers) even in casual situations. Despite the warm climate, shorts tend to be worn only while at the beach, during sports, or in touristy locations. Women have it a bit easier in that tasteful shorts, slacks, jeans and sundresses are all common in the city, although Dominican woman certainly go all-out at any opportunity to dress up.

In regards to workshops, presentations and traveling throughout the interior of the country it is generally better to be a tad overdressed than a tad underdressed.

In the tourist centers, such as Cabarete, Puerto Plata, Samaná, and, even the mountain city of Jarabacoa, the above does not necessarily hold true.  Feel free to dress as you like and appropriate to the weather.  Please note that mountain towns, such as San Jose de las Matas, tend to be cool in the evenings.

Attire & Excursions or Service Projects
We encourage you to bring causal and comfortable summer clothing that is appropriate for the excursions and projects in your itinerary. Be aware that clothing may get very dirty or very wet in excursions that involve caving, canyoning and the like, as well as most service projects. Although limited laundry service may be available, it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring "old clothes" that can stand up to the wear and tear of the kinds of activities we like to do. It is very common for our guests to "retire" items of clothing and shoes on the last day of their trip with us.

Getting It All Here and Back
We ask that you bring two backpack/bags:

1. day pack, small backpack or fanny pack - this bag will stay with you during the entire day. Your water bottles, rain gear, bathing suit, small towel, snacks, camera, sunscreen, bug repellent, flashlight, personal first aid kit, and other such items that you would like access to during the day will go in here. Generally, you will repack this bag ever day according to the day's itinerary. We encourage you to pack everything inside a waterproof trash or zip-lock bag as added insurance.
2. large pack, duffel bag or suitably-sized suitcase - this bag will contain all of your clothes and items that you don't need with your during the day. You will have access to this bag in the evening and the morning or whenever we are at the hotel/campsite. This bag will frequently travel separately from the group. Again, we recommend that everything is protected from rain in plastic bags within.

REMEMBER: IF YOU BRING IT, YOU CARRY IT. KEEP IT COMPACT AND LIGHT!

HEAD

• sunglasses
• baseball cap / sun visor
• prescription lenses / contact lenses (plus backups)

TORSO

• 1 or 2 work shirts
• 3 or 4 t-shirts / tank tops / casual shirts for beach & hanging out
• 5 or 8 nice shirts for city touring
• 1 rain jacket (shell layer)
• 1 long sleeve shirt / pullover / sweatshirt / light fleece for cool nights (middle layer)

LEGS

• 1 work shorts / pants
  
• 2 or 3 shorts / board shorts / pants for beach & hanging out
  
• 3 or 4 nice pants / skirts / jeans for city touring

FEET

• 1 pair sturdy-soled / light hiking / approach / sneakers (work & excursions)
• 1 pair flip-flops / sandals / sneakers (beach & hanging out)
  
• 1 pair comfortable / sturdy-soled / shoes/nice sneakers (city touring)
  
• extra shoe laces

OTHER BASICS

• underwear
  
• socks
• pajamas
• bathing suit
• small / medium-sized towel
  
• personal toiletries
  
• personal medications

EQUIPMENT & GEAR

• sun block (minimum SPF 15)
  
• bug repellent (with DEET or Picaridin)
  
• 2 1-liter personal water bottles
  
• bandana / scarf
  
• camera & film (plus extra batteries)
  
• flashlight / headlamp (plus extra batteries)
  
• personal first aid kit
  
• hand sanitizer
  
• pocket knife
  
• watch / alarm clock
  
• small travel games / playing cards
  
• mask & snorkel
  
• manageable musical instrument

DOCUMENTS

• valid passport (plus copy of picture page) or legal equivalent
  
• health / travel insurance (copy of policy, insurance card, phone numbers of providers)
  
• airplane ticket (plus copy)

ACADEMIC MATERIAL

• Spanish-English dictionary
  
• small notebook / journal (plus pens / pencils)
  
• pleasure novels / educational texts