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Dominica’s Only Travel Guide You Need For A Great Trip in 11 Easy Steps

Dominica’s Only Travel Guide You Need For A Great Trip in 11 Easy Steps

Dominica’s Background

 

The Ortoroids, Dominica’s initial settlers, came from South America at approximately 3100 BC and stayed until roughly 400 BC. The Arawaks arrived around 400 AD and established themselves. Before colonialism, the island was a stronghold of the Carib people, who moved from South America and drove out the Arawak. When Columbus brought the age of colonialism to Dominica, the Caribs faced the same fate as the Arawaks. Christopher Columbus called it after seeing it on November 3, 1493, a Sunday (Latin: dies dominica, “the Lord’s day”). Columbus dubbed the island Dominica, discarding the Kalinago name “Waitukubuli”.

Dominica was the last Caribbean island to be conquered by Europeans, owing mostly to the ferocious resistance of the local Caribs. While the Kalinago successfully resisted Spanish colonization efforts, the British and French followed in the 1600s, battling one another and the Kalinago for control of the island. The Kalinago gradually lost control of the island as a result of several conflicts and sickness, retreating back to South America. However, roughly 2,000 Kalinago remain on the island today, with the majority residing in the Kalinago Territory in northeast Dominica. Many village names in and around Dominica are a blend of Kalinago, French, and English, representing the previous 500 years of political battles.

The French were the first colonists in 1632, but the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748 decided to regard the island as neutral ground and leave it to the Caribs. Dominica was divided between France and Britain from that time until 1805. French colonists remained in Dominica until 1759 when the island was conquered by the British after defeating France in the Seven Years’ War, and eventually established English as the official language. In 1763, it was formally handed to Britain. Dominica was seized by French soldiers from Martinique in 1778. In 1783, the British reclaimed the island. The French, who had arrived from Guadeloupe at the time, failed to reclaim the island in 1795. The French launched a last attack on the island in 1805, and despite burning the capital, Roseau, they were forced to retreat.

The nation gained complete independence in 1978, with Patrick Roland John as Dominica’s first prime minister, and two years later, a corrupt and authoritarian regime was replaced by Mary Eugenia Charles, the Caribbean’s first female prime minister, who stayed in power for 15 years. Dominica’s 3,000 Carib Indians are the sole pre-Columbian people left in the eastern Caribbean.

Dominica is an independent island nation with its capital, Roseau, on the island’s leeward side. It is one of the Windward Isles in the Caribbean Sea’s Lesser Antilles cluster. The island is located to the south-southeast of Guadeloupe and to the northwest of Martinique. It covers an area of 750 km2 (290 sq mi), and the highest peak is Morne Diablotins, which stands at 1,447 m (4,747 ft). According to the 2011 census, the population was 71,293 people.

The population is mainly of African descent, with some Europeans, people from the Indian subcontinent, and Caribs. Dominica is the only island with a relatively large and distinctive group of Carib Indians, descendants of the people who inhabited the island before European colonization.

Dominica should not be confused with the Dominican Republic, another Caribbean island. Dominica is located halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad & Tobago, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Dominica is known as “The Nature Island of the Caribbean” due to its incredible diversity of flora and wildlife. The country’s outstanding national park system protects most of the island’s biodiversity. If you enjoy nature, this is a fantastic site to visit.

It is the Lesser Antilles’ youngest island, currently being built by geothermal-volcanic activity, as indicated by the world’s second-largest hot spring, Boiling Lake. The island is quite hilly. It boasts stunning and picturesque volcanic peaks. Dominica’s wild nature has earned it the moniker “Nature Isle of the Caribbean.” Morne Diablotin, the highest point on the island, rises 1,447 meters above sea level. The island is home to numerous unique flora, animal, and bird species, as well as lush mountainous rainforests. Some of the western coastal districts have xeric zones, while considerable rainfall occurs inland. Dominica’s national bird, the Sisserou parrot, also known as the imperial amazon and found exclusively on the island, is shown on the island’s flag. The Dominican economy is based on tourism and agriculture.

 

“One of the few Caribbean Islands with so much nature and diversity. With hills, mountains, volcanos, hot springs, falls, and densely forested regions, Dominica is a chunk of paradise waiting to be discovered.“

 

Dominica is the Lesser Antilles’ most densely wooded island. A wide range of birds and animals may be found in the forest. Dominica is home to two parrots: the imperial parrot, or sisserou, and the lesser red-necked parrot. The blue-headed hummingbird is exclusively found in Dominica and the neighboring island of Martinique. The huge frog known as crapaud or mountain chicken, one of the island’s four amphibian species (and a national dish), has long been an iconic feature of Dominica’s wildlife – and a national dish – but it has become critically endangered due to a fungal illness.

The climate on the island is tropical. The northeast trade winds keep temperatures reasonable, although the island is prone to severe rain. Keep an eye out for flash floods, which can occur after strong rains. During the late summer and early fall months, the island may be hit by storms. Dominica was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017, and the island is still slowly – but determinedly – rebuilding. Dominica also features a number of active volcanoes, however eruptions are uncommon.

Regardless of whether you arrive to Dominica by ship or air, your initial impression will most certainly be one of astonishment at the sheer dramatic magnificence of the country, which few Caribbean islands can match. Dominica (locals emphasize the third syllable) attracts independent tourists and eco-adventurers with its boiling lake, rainforest-shrouded volcanoes, sulfurous hot springs, excellent snorkeling, and the Caribbean’s first long-distance hiking route.

The English-speaking island sandwiched between francophone Guadeloupe and Martinique, is similarly developing at a slower pace than its neighbors, with no large cruise terminal or airport capable of handling even medium-haul aircraft. This implies that the island’s traditional character has been retained significantly better than in the rest of the Lesser Antilles.

Dominica is a colorful blend of European and African traditions, including the Caribbean’s unique pre-Columbian Carib Indian people. Dominica’s indigenous inhabitants, known as the Kalinago, live on a 3,700-acre area or reserve on the island’s eastern coast. Migrating in waves from South America as early as 3,000 B.C., diverse tribes made Dominica their home and were well-settled by 1,000 A.D., naming the island “Waitukubuli,” which means “tall is her body” in the Kalinago language.

Despite centuries of vigorous resistance to European colonization, the Kalinagos finally fell to sickness, greed, and tyranny unleashed by the Spanish, English, and French invading powers. However, it is the sole remaining pre-Columbian population in the eastern Caribbean, currently settled in the Kalinago Territory, home to around 2,145 Kalinago. Visitors should discard any illusions of encountering a primitive population dressed in grass skirts performing old rites. They have little in common with the rest of the population. However, a glimpse of their ancestral roots may still be obtained, particularly through their trade, canoe construction, and physical characteristics. Outbuildings of original tribal design, teeming with traditional cultural activities, are certainly frequent.

Dominica’s serenity and quiet, fresh air, colors, tradition, and acceptance of nature all combine to make it an inspiring site for authors, painters, photographers, and scholars. Dominica, unlike other Caribbean islands, lacks large and congested beach resorts.

Traveling across Dominica on your own may not be affordable, but despite the high cost of staying there, you’ll undoubtedly leave this tiny corner of the Caribbean with fresh adventures and lovely memories.

To get the most out of Dominica, you should keep moving so that you may see and do as much as possible of what Dominica has to offer tourists. In our Cruisit Dominica travel guide, we provide a plan that is roughly midway between leisure and exploration. Enter the land and immerse yourself in this perfect spot in the Caribbean. The Dominica travel plan provided below is best enjoyed during the nation’s high season, but you may still enjoy the country during the shoulder season. With its pristine beaches, colonial structures, sunny and clear skies, forested hills, under the shade of a tree, and surrounded by a stunning multitude of landscapes, your Caribbean journey will be exciting.

Also, in our travel guide to Dominica, we will give you all the information you will need to steer through the country at ease. Dominica’s highlights, tips, transportation, top places and attractions, a handcrafted itinerary in Dominica, and more will be provided for you as you read through. If you are excited enough by now, let us dig right in!

Top Places in Dominica

Boiling Lake

The Boiling Lake is a submerged fumarole in Dominica’s Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a World Heritage Site. The lake sits 6.5 miles east of Dominica’s capital, Roseau, and is filled with boiling greyish-blue water surrounded by a cloud of vapor. The Boiling Lake is 200 to 250 feet wide and is the world’s second-largest boiling lake behind Frying Pan Lake, located in Waimangu Valley near Rotorua, New Zealand.

Trafalgar Falls

Warm and chilly water cascades from the waterfall. Trafalgar Falls is one of Dominica’s most popular tourist attractions. These well-known twin waterfalls are about a 20-minute drive from Roseau. The observation point, where you may shoot both falls, is a short 10 to 15-minute walk along a well-maintained route. Stop at the warm spring that flows over the route as you stroll the path. Those who are feeling brave can carry on to swim in the cool waters of the lesser waterfall or discover the hot springs of the highest fall.

Morne Trois Pitons National Park

Morne Trois Pitons National Park is Dominica’s first legally formed national park, founded in July 1975. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1997. The park is named for its tallest peak, Morne Trois Pitons, which translates as “three peaks mountain.” The park is located in a region of high volcanic activity. The Valley of Desolation, an area of boiling mud ponds and miniature geysers, is one of the park’s features, as are the Boiling Lake, Titou Gorge, and Emerald Pool. The mountain is Dominica’s second highest peak, only surpassed by Morne Diablotins.

Champagne Reef

Dominica’s Champagne Reef is well-known for diving and snorkeling, and it is also one of the most pristine. You’ll see a stunning burst of color whether diving or snorkeling in these warm waters. Champagne Reef, named after the bubbling waters flowing from volcanic thermal springs on the ocean floor, draws divers and snorkelers from all over the world. Dominica’s enormous mountains and gorges are well matched by the reef’s falling cliffs and towering volcanic structures.

Emerald Pool

Emerald Pool, located in Morne Trois Piton National Park, is bordered by lush woodland and provides a refreshing reprieve for swimmers and waders on hot days. It’s the most accessible waterfall in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, located about ten minutes off the internal Roseau-Castle Bruce Road.

5-day Itinerary in Dominica

Day 1

 

Arrive at Roseau

Welcome to Dominica! 

Because most planes arrive in the late afternoon, spend your first night settling down and acclimating to the tropics.

If you arrive on one of the morning flights, head into Roseau and have lunch at The Great Old House, which serves great island delicacies like octopus ceviche and curried goat. Take an afternoon whale viewing trip to see resident pods of sperm whales and maybe passing humpbacks and dolphins. Whale sightings are most prevalent between November and March, however the cetaceans may be observed all year in the island’s beautiful seas.

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When it becomes dark, a foreign city may be twice as dangerous - especially if you don't understand the language and are unfamiliar with the area. There is no reason to be alarmed about walking home alone in the dark as there is not enough crime recorded in Roseau to warrant any worry. You can walk safely at night and never worry about crowded areas or unlit alleys or streets, but you can always take a taxi, if you don't feel comfortable. However, be wary of petty crime by taking precautions mentioned in the safety section above.

Getting to Dominica

Dominica is reasonably simple to reach despite being one of the Caribbean's least developed islands. Flights arrive from Caribbean destinations such as St. Maarten, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Antigua. Silver Airways operates numerous weekly flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to the island.

Day 2

 

Reef Dives

Cruise out from Roseau’s docks with Creole Divers Dominica for a snorkeling or diving excursion. The skipper organizes expeditions to Champagne Reef, where you’ll snorkel above volcanic vents that shoot bubble curtains to the surface.

Divers should not miss L’Abime (The Abyss), a cliff with gorgonian fans, black corals, and yellow tube sponges that is teeming with eels, lobster, and all sorts of tropical fish. Nature Island Dive, which collaborates with Jungle Bay in Soufrière, is another fantastic diving operator to consider.

Day 3

 

Chasing Falls

Rent a car or hire a driver for a trip inland via the Roseau Valley, a beautiful area accessible by steep, twisting roads that receives more than 400 inches of rain every year. A visit to Freshwater Lake, which is sometimes enveloped in mist and located at an elevation of 2,500 feet in the middle of an ancient volcano, is a must. Caldera Cafe, located in the little tourist center, serves excellent meat pies and plantain patties as well as a sample of the local bush rums (strong tipples flavored with locally grown parts like ginger and guava).

Trafalgar Falls, a 10-minute walk (watch for shy agoutis along the route!) will bring you to plummeting 200-foot double waterfalls. Wear your suit since there are little pools at the bottom to swim in. Stop next at Titou Valley, where you may swim down a small gorge to a waterfall at the finish (a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed here).

Day 4

 

Hiking Day

Dominica is a hiker’s dream. The journey from Laudat to the flooded fumarole at the Boiling Lake — the world’s second-largest boiling lake, at over 200 feet wide — is a must-do. Be careful, this is one of the most difficult hikes on the island; plan on three to four hours each trip. Hiring a guide to accompany you is not required, but it is advised if you want to get the most out of the trip and discover interesting things about the unusual volcanic landscape along the route. The seething depths are generally shrouded in mist, but on a clear day, you can see all the way to the neighboring island of Martinique.

Treat your body with a dip in the sulfuric hot springs in Wotten Waven, a short drive south, where the unpretentious eatery Le Petit Paradis may heal anything else ails you with their regionally famous handmade rum punch.

Day 5

 

River Adventure

The Indian River is Dominica’s widest, and it’s a beautiful site to go on a rowing safari with Cobra Tours amid blossoming greenery to observe egrets, herons, crabs, and other wildlife. Your guide will almost certainly stop upriver at the Indian River Bush Bar, where you may enjoy the distinctive “Dynamite” cocktail, a powerful rum combination mixed with lime, guinep, passionfruit, and gooseberry juices, then seasoned with island cinnamon. Make your way to Red Rocks for sunset, an interesting volcanic feature along the northeast coast that is especially lovely in the early and evening light.

Depending on your flight, you may have more time on your hand which you can freely stroll around and maybe go shopping. You might also have your flight scheduled for the next day.

In any case, get prepared and head to the airport.

The Most Popular Food in Dominica

Creole culinary techniques profoundly impact Dominican food. The recipes incorporate fresh local ingredients to create Caribbean classics with a local flare. The cuisine is most similar to that of St Lucia and Trinidad. Breakfast is an important meal on the island, and it frequently includes saltfish and fried bread. The most prevalent meats are chicken, beef, and fish, which are frequently served with local vegetables.

Stew Chicken

The most popular meat on the island is certainly chicken. It is frequently stewed with onions, carrots, garlic, ginger, and thyme. It takes a long time to cook until a rich sauce emerges. Rice and peas are frequently offered as a side dish.

Tasty Bakes

This snack is sold at roadside booths all across the island. It’s also served with fried chicken or fish and chips at tiny restaurants. Tasty Bakes are fried dough prepared from flour, water, sugar, and a pinch of salt. It is typically served with a cold beverage.

 

Roasted Breadfruit with Salted Codfish

This classic Creole cuisine may be found all across the Caribbean. Dominica’s version, like others, has its own distinct flavor based on locally available ingredients and seasonal fruit.

Mountain Chicken

If you order this meal, you may be in for a surprise because it does not include any chicken! The term “mountain chicken” refers to a type of large frog common to the area. Dominica’s national meal is the legs, which form the base of a dish. If you’ve ever tried frog’s legs, you’ll know that they taste a lot like chicken. Mountain chicken legs are fried with spices and seasonings before being served with indigenous vegetables such as yams, yucca, pumpkin, and plantains.

Manicou

This Dominican specialty is a wonderful meal that you should certainly try! It is made from opossum and is smoked over a low fire or stewed and eaten with rice. It’s a fantastic pleasure, seasoned with numerous spices! When smoking the opossum, many restaurants use their own specific combination of spices. When cooked in a stew, it’s complemented with plenty of fresh, local veggies and a kick from scotch bonnet peppers!

What's the Travel Budget for Dominica?

Final Thoughts on Dominica's

With diverse relics of its past and rich heritage, breathtaking and bizarre landmarks – great hospitality, exciting festivals, and picture-perfect national parks, beaches, and antique towns, Dominica has a refined and deep heritage that can be seen across the country dating back to 3100 BC. A fantastic option for anyone seeking one of the best Caribbean holiday locations nestled between Puerto Rica and Trinidad & Tobago. Dominica is breathtakingly beautiful, with magnificent national treasures, flora and Wildlife, and spectacular scenery. Would you visit Dominica?

Have you ever been to Dominica? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments area below.

Tags: UNESCO Heritage Sites Emerald Pool Wildlife Trekking Ultimate Guide Prague Ultimate travel guide Cruisit World Cruise it Nature Cruising Caribbean Cruzit Mountains Cruiseit National Parks Trafalgar Falls Backpacking Waterfalls

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