About Us

In 2005, a dream came true when we purchased a spectacular mountainside farm near Puerto Plata that commands a million-dollar view of the ocean and rolling terrain below. (This website’s banner is the view from our gallery.)

We planned to develop a sustainable ecotourism project, a place that would cater to groups of any type but particularly to the many student- and service groups that come and get involved in local communities.

We built our retreat to fit right into the local village of Tubagua (meaning “splendid sea” in the indigenous Taino Indian language). We wanted to create a place that would provide an authentically rural Dominican experience, all the while ensuring the proper levels of comfort, hygiene and security required by responsible organizing institutions.

We originally thought that we would just open and close whenever a group came along. But the amount of interest from independent travelers caused us to change our tack, and now we are open for individuals as well as groups.

Truth be said, Tubagua Plantation, being as it is in a rural setting, is a great place to stay for one or two nights, unless your intention is to relax, paint, write an important document such as a novel or your will, or birdwatch. And while we welcom this type of guest, we recognize that most people want to be a little more active; thus we found ourselves helping people to round off their DR visit with a few days at the beach, a visit to Santo Domingo or other activities. When friends would come to visit, we would loan them a cell phone, just in case they lost their way or needed help with a little translation.

Out of this came the initiative to put together the idea of combining the sum total of 25 years of experience, connections and resources accumulated while assisting visitors to the Dominican Republic into the unpackaged travel proposal presented on this website, a service that we think can really simplify and enhance the experience of traveling around this country.

“The outcome of life’s journeys depends so much on who’s your guide”

Over the years as tourism grows and tourist businesses grow along with it, many of these now mammoth corporations have become faceless, anonymous, driven by automated web sites and manned by employees who don’t really care whether you go to The Dominican Republic, or Mexico, or Cuba, as long as you buy something.

Ironically, the fact never changes that the richest, most unforgettable travel experiences ensue from the quality of the human connections you make along the way—not from the bottom-line efficiency of hotel chains and travel giants.

Each of the base camps in this network are small lodges, guesthouses or B&B’s, owned and operated by individuals who have a passion for the region they have chosen to live in. Each base camp is as different, quirky, original, as the people who run it. However the one common denominator is their willingness to do more for their guests than just hand them a key and a towel. By linking up this kind of people we can offer a solid network of support all around the country, one that imposes no structure on what you do or how you do it; it is simply there for when you want it or need it.

We care that you come to the Dominican Republic. We care that you leave enriched with lifelong memories of a unique travel experience.

Read More:

Book this for as low as $75 per person per day: see rates and trip budgeting info

Check out Base Camp One, where the adventure begins

The Dominican Republic: travel info

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