Harry Alvarez
Harry was born in New York City, and at 6 months old, relocated to his family's native home in the Dominican Republic. Ever since, he has lived in the cultural and physical space between the Dominican Republic and the United States. Harry has been working in the travel industry in the Caribbean and Central America for more than a decade and has led and managed programming in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. Harry currently lives full time in Santo Domingo. When not personally participating in our clients' experiences you can find him cooking or gardening with his partner Lauren and two sons.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I specialize in showing travelers a different side of the Dominican Republic. While a resort can offer a nice beach vacation, there is so much more to see in the DR. The ecotourism potential of the DR is a hidden gem, and I love exposing travelers to this. Few know that we have the highest peak in the Caribbean, the biggest sand dunes in the Caribbean, and many diverse microclimates to explore."
How did you get involved in travel?
"
In 2008, I took a break from my pre-med coursework to lead experiential travel programs in Costa Rica for a student travel company, and I found my true calling. Before then, I thought I was going to be the next Che Guevara, driving around Latin America curing people. That summer, I realized there are many ways to help people, and travel done correctly is one of them. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to sustainable travel, working to include locals and have a positive impact on the local economy."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"When my now wife and I took our first backpacking trip together, we ended up stuck on a tiny island the size of a city block in San Blas, Panama. The sailboat we were taking to Cartagena, Colombia, didn’t have enough passengers to sail. We spent almost a week on that island, and it became a treasured memory. Sometimes, when we travel, letting go of the itinerary and letting the place impact us is the best thing we can do. It opens us up to great experiences alongside locals."
