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Home / TRIP IDEAS / A-List Travel Advisors / The "Nature Isle" of the Caribbean Is Home to Lush Rain Forests, Five-Star Hotels, and a Vibrant Creole Culture

The "Nature Isle" of the Caribbean Is Home to Lush Rain Forests, Five-Star Hotels, and a Vibrant Creole Culture

2023-02-18  Maliyah Mah

When it comes to the number of unspoiled landscapes in the Caribbean, Dominica is in a class all by itself.

Caribbean islands
 

Dominica, also known as the Nature Island, stands out among the other islands in the Caribbean due to its commitment to conserving its varied and, for the most part, untouched natural outdoor activities. This has earned the island its aptly descriptive moniker. A full schedule in Dominica might not involve a day spent at the beach at all, in contrast to many of the other islands in the region, which might invite visitors to laze around on the beach with a drink in hand. The lush greenery (rain forest covers about two-thirds of the land) is the primary attraction of a trip to this tropical paradise. This tropical paradise features a diverse range of vegetation that extends to all of the island's edges, as well as volcanoes, black sand, hot springs, and waterfalls all over the island.

Dominica is the ideal holiday destination for city people who wish to trade in their skyscrapers for picturesque mountainside views or trade in their frustrating traffic jams for the opportunity to hike through hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails. Continue reading to find out how to organize the trip of a lifetime to Nature Island.

Finding Your Way Around Dominica

Dominica is now more accessible than ever before from the United States thanks to American Airlines' decision to begin flying multiple direct flights weekly from Miami International Airport (MIA) beginning in December 2021. If you are travelling to Dominica from another Caribbean island, you have the option of flying with InterCaribbean Airways, Liat, or Caribbean Airlines. InterCaribbean Airways provides flights from Barbados, Tortola, or St. Lucia; Liat provides flights from Barbados and Antigua; and Caribbean Airlines provides flights from Trinidad and Barbados.

The Perfect Time to Go to Dominica

Visit Dominica
 

The music, food, fashion, and art of Dominica are all excellent examples of the country's unique Creole culture, which is a fusion of West African roots, indigenous Kalinago heritage, and French and British influences. Carnival in February (which is normally held two days before Ash Wednesday), the World Creole Music Festival in October, and generally towards the end of the year are the ideal times to witness and experience this colourful spectacle. If seeing whales is high on your bucket list, the best time to go whale watching is between the months of November and March.

The Top Activities Available on Dominica

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Hiking along one of this island's seemingly endless hiking trails is, without a doubt, one of the very finest ways to take in its breathtaking scenery. The hike to Syndicate Falls is considered to be an easy one because it only involves a small amount of elevation gain; however, you should be aware that it does involve some muddy sections (especially due to the fact that the rain forest has intermittent downpours), as well as hopping rocks across two rivers. The payoff is well worth it as Syndicate Falls is a breathtaking attraction that flows into a revitalizing water base that is ideal for cooling off in.

Scotts Head is a massive peninsula that lingers off the southern tip of the island. It is connected to the mainland by a narrow and rocky strip that touches the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. Scotts Head can be reached by walking (or driving) up a steep, paved incline. The view from the top of the mountain is really stunning.

An excursion further on the Indian River provides a calming and otherworldly sensation. After your tour guide pushes off from the dock in a brightly coloured wooden rowboat, you will have the impression that you are in an uninhabited region within three minutes. The palm trees that line the water stream are laden with an abundance of flowers and plants that cascade down the sides of the stream.

The unrivalled opportunities to enjoy nature are not limited to the coastlines either. Dominica has emerged as a leading location for several types of diving, including free diving, scuba diving, and snorkelling. Champagne Beach and Scotts Head are two of the most popular destinations.

Last but not least, Wotten Waven is an open-air thermal spa that is encircled by beautiful woodland on all sides. It features two heated sulphur pools, a mud pool, individual sulphur baths, waterfalls, and a variety of other amenities. After partaking in all of the endless activities that the island has to offer, your muscles will thank you for coming here to relax.

The Top Accommodations Available on Dominica

Stay on Dominica
 

You can get the most out of your trip to Dominica by dividing your time between the north and south sides of the island. This will give you the opportunity to participate in excursions specific to each region and give you access to a wider range of lodging options, all of which will enhance your trip.

 

The InterContinental Dominica Cabriites Resort & Spa, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2023, is a great place to start your journey in the north of the island. This stylish resort will be tucked away in the bosom of Cabriites National Park, and will have numerous outdoor pools, an on-site spa, beach access, and a sophisticated design to match the tranquil surroundings.

Jungle Bay,
 

The next step is to head south to check into Jungle Bay, an eco-friendly luxury resort that features villas that have been meticulously handcrafted with woven furniture and wooden furniture that has been finished to a high standard. The resort is known as the Edible Resort, so be sure to take the Garden Tour while you're there. The head of landscaping will lead you on a discovery walk to see more than 75 different types of native plants and trees that are located on the property. Along the way, you'll be offered many freshly picked fruits and spices. During the Herbal Experience, you will learn about and taste local traditional cures, as well as brew your own tea blend from herbs and flowers that are produced on site.

The Top Restaurants and Bars Around Dominica

Dominica's food is as delicious and varied as the island's many different ethnic influences because of this. The Keepin' It Real restaurant is located right on the sand and serves regional cuisine. You should try the grilled lobster topped with peppers and onions or the local catch of the day served with péze (smashed green plantains), rice, beans, baked macaroni pie, and salad. Both of these dishes are served with a side of rice and beans.

In the Wotten Waven region of the island is where you'll find the charming restaurant and bed-and-breakfast known as Le Petit Paradise. It is owned and operated by the same family. You should contact ahead if you plan on going there because the menu varies depending on what ingredients are most recently available.

Roseau, which the locals will simply refer to as "town," is home to an overwhelming number of restaurants and eateries. You can get traditional cuisine at Old Stone Restaurant and Pub, or you can buy nibbles and fresh fruit juices from any of the numerous vendors who are selling food on the street.


2023-02-18  Maliyah Mah