✺ Jobs and pay
How much do tourism jobs actually pay in Las Terrenas?
Nine local tourism trades, the average pay for each, what you learn and where you start.
Let's talk about money
When a young person in Las Terrenas tells their family they want to train in tourism, the first question is usually: and what does that pay?
It is a good question and it deserves a clear answer. Here are the nine trades we teach, with the average monthly salary for each in the local market, and what it takes to get there.
Food and beverage
Professional cook
- Average salary: RD$18,000-20,000/month
Specialist bartender
- Average salary: RD$15,000-17,000/month
Waiter
- Average salary: RD$15,000-17,000/month
One thing the figures do not show: in food and beverage, tips can double the base salary. Carlos, from the 2024 cohort, puts it in one line.
Now I work as a bartender and I earn more in tips than my base salary. Incredible!
It is also the area where promotion can come fastest where there is talent. María arrived not knowing how to make a sandwich and left, three months later, as a sous chef.
Hospitality
Concierge and guest relations
- Average salary: RD$16,000-18,000/month
Reception and front desk
- Average salary: RD$15,000-17,000/month
Housekeeping and maintenance
- Average salary: RD$14,000-16,000/month
Hospitality has the clearest promotion ladder of the three areas: hotels promote from within and value someone who already knows the house. Ana started in housekeeping and was a supervisor within six months.
It is also where English pays off fastest. Luis, on reception, practises every day with guests from Europe and the United States — and that English is his for life.
Local tourism
Sales and tourism products
- Average salary: RD$22,000-24,000/month plus commission
Activities coordination
- Average salary: RD$21,000-23,000/month
Certified tour guide
- Average salary: RD$20,000-22,000/month
This area has the highest averages and is also the most seasonal. And it is the one that lends itself best to working for yourself: Roberto, from the 2024 cohort, works today as an independent guide.
I now work as an independent guide. In high season I can earn RD$60,000 a month. I love my job!
Starting your own business here takes little up-front investment. That is the real difference this specialisation makes.
How to read these numbers
They are local market averages, not promises. What you earn depends on the establishment, the season and, above all, on you.
The starting wage is not the ceiling. Almost every testimonial above describes a move upwards within the first year.
The season rules. In local tourism and food and beverage, high and low season are felt. Hospitality is the steadiest of the three.
English multiplies. It is the factor that fastest separates two people in the same post. That is why we teach it from week one in all three specialisations.
Where you start
The programme lasts 12 weeks and is free for selected students: training, materials and certification at no cost.
Weeks 1-4
- Fundamentals: English, maths, computing and your life project.
Weeks 5-12
- Work-study: three days of practice in a partner company, two days of class at Sienna Village.
Week 12
- Job readiness, interviews, graduation and certification.
Groups are capped at 12 students per specialisation, there are three cohorts a year, and support continues for six months after you graduate.
To apply: be between 18 and 22, live in Las Terrenas, and be able to give it twelve full weeks. No previous experience is needed. We start from zero.