Let’s prepare ourselves for travel. Here are some ideas on what you can do now. Don’t forget to pick up some Spanish!
Preparation
Buy the ticket, take the ride. – Hunter S. Thompson
Be prepared. – Boy Scouts’ Motto
Physical
See the travel clinic for recommended vaccinations and medications. Be sure you are “up to date” on Hepatitis and Tetanus shots. You may be advised to take an anti-malaria treatment and more.
We require medical Travel Insurance for each traveler. Research and purchase travel insurance (interruption, medical or emergency may be applicable, do do choose medical, which is inexpensive). I use, www.insuremytrip.com . They offer more than 100 plans from 18 insurance providers, but also publishes useful trips about travel safety). This another www.squaremouth.com (offers online applications that help travelers “easily and instantly” compare all the major travel insurance plans).
2026 Travel considerations
✓ Complete your Dominican Republic eTicket
The Dominican Republic E-Ticket (Electronic Ticket of Entry and Exit) is the mandatory digital immigration and customs form for all travelers visiting the Dominican Republic. Complete your E-Ticket application online before departure to speed up your arrival process at any Dominican airport.
https://www.travelsmarttravelfast.com/en/dominican-republic/eticket
Cost
$200 (approx) $10 to enter the country, $40 or more to Sisters for food and expenses. For souvenirs and restaurants, have $1’s ready. Most will take it dollars at the Dominican pesos exchange rate, but won’t give change in USD of course. The rate is 59.45 pesos to $1 USD. You can also use credit cards at some restaurants and shops.
Spiritual
Reflect on what you would like from the week and set your intentions. What gifts to you have to bring? How will you make the trip more enjoyable for the girls and the other travelers? Are you open to try new activities, new food, new language, new culture? What do you want from the trip?
Legal
Make sure you have your passport and it is current. Make sure the emergency contact Google Sheet is up to date.
Cultural
Read fiction or non-fiction about the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean. Some suggestions include In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez (also a movie with Salma Hayek), Travel books with historical summaries, Sugar (HBO movie available on Netflix. It’s more about DR baseball than the girls, but it’s all related.) and Caribbean by James Michener (book on CD available at Hennepin County libraries).
Review a map of the country.
Do a news search on the web about the Dominican Republic to find out recent events/hot topics.
Learn some Spanish, at least the “Must Know Phrases” later in this booklet. Subscribe to Spanish Word of the Day at http://www.transparent.com/, Listen to “Coffee Break Spanish’ on your computer or iPod through iTunes or at http://www.radiolinguamedia.com/cbs/www/index.html, go to a Spanish Langauge Mass at Sagrado Corazon in Minneapolis or Assumption in Richfield, check out language books and audio programs at the library. Attend community ed classes.
Packing List
Donation List from Past Trips
Although we’ve brought things in the past, we’ve pivoted to bringing money, which is more easily packed. And shopping there supports local businesses.
“When meeting people from a foreign culture, offer a few gifts that reflect your interests as a gesture of friendship. Better yet, give things you’ve created yourself. Also, explore their interests and their culture. Ultimately, the best way to forge a lasting friendship is to create something together. Whether it’s a meal, an art project or a spontaneous dance party, when you create something with others, you build a connection that lasts a lifetime.” – International Diplomacy Guidebook, from the Blue Man Group
Campamento 2026 