Dreaming of a Caribbean getaway as of late, but Cancun, Punta Cana and the like––and their jam-packed resorts and lack of authenticity––just don’t do it for you anymore?
Worry not: there is a lesser-known sunny spot in the Eastern end of the turquoise sea where the coastal views are just as beautiful, the nature far more abundant, and most importantly, there are no surging crowds to ruin your perfect beach day.
Oh, and have we mentioned they’re actively encouraging Americans to visit?
This winter, the laid-back island of Dominica is the place to be. Read again, Dominica. Not the Dominican Republic.
Here’s how they differ:
Wait, So This Is Not Punta Cana We’re Talking About?
Not even remotely.
For starters, Dominica is a separate country altogether.
Though it shares an uncannily similar name, it has no substantial historical links to the Dominican Republic (DR), home to popular resort towns like Punta Cana and Puerto Plata.
It was colonized in different periods by the French and the British, before obtaining its independence as a sovereign nation, whereas the Dominican Republic is culturally Hispanic.
Additionally, the official language is English––with some French inflections––not Spanish, and Dominica is a single-island nation, unlike the DR, which shares Hispaniola Island with Haiti.
Finally, while the more famous Dominican Republic is characterized by its sprawling coffee plantations and sandy coastline, Dominica is volcanic in nature:
What Makes Dominica Special?
It’s commonly referred to as the ‘Nature Island of the Caribbean‘, as it plays host to unique geological formations and a rich wildlife, attracting adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Despite being tiny, being slightly smaller than New York City, at only 29 miles in length and 18 miles in width, with a population of just over 73,000 people, Dominica suffers from no shortage of natural wonders:
Its most famous park is Morne Trois Pitons National Park, boasting a wide range of verdant ecosystems, dense rainforests, volcanic peaks, and even dotted with thermal pools.
It can easily be visited from Roseau, the island’s capital, with guided visits costing $140 per person on GetYourGuide.
Other must-see attractions include the Valley of Desolation, a partially-challenging hike leading to a mist-covered Boiling Lake, one of the largest in the world, Titou Gorge, filled with emerald water flowing in from mountain creeks, and the landmark twin Trafalgar Falls, cascading over verdant slopes.
As the Convention of Biological Diversity notes, over 65% of Dominica is covered by natural vegetation, so there’s truly an infinity of stunning preserves to discover.
Look At All These Amazing Crowd-Free Beaches
It’s not a Caribbean vacay without some quality beach time, and we’re glad to report beaches in Dominica are nowhere near as crowded as Cancun’s, or Tulum’s, or Montego Bay’s, or any other Caribbean destination you can possibly name.
From the unique Champagne Beach, which gets its name after the volcanic bubbles rising from warm water hugging the shoreline, to the trendy Mero, one of a handful of swimming sites on Dominica with restaurants and other tourist amenities, it always feels like it’s ‘low’ season.
The whole island sees an average 200,000 visitors per year, of whom only 75,000 are not cruise ship visitors: in other words, it’s virtually undiscovered, and it’s no wonder they’re now launching a winter campaign to attract Americans.
There are now a number of beachfront hotels offering ‘Pay for 4, Stay for 5′ or ‘Pay for 6, Stay for 7′ séjour deals, and even tour operators and car rental companies have joined in, slashing prices by between 10 to 20%.
Feel enticed to stay in Dominica for more than just a stopover?
Check out Portsmouth Beach Hotel, with room rates starting at $108, Coco Mango Suites, where a private studio will set you back by $94-a-night, or if you don’t mind a little bit of splurging, the luxurious Rosalie Bay Eco Resort & Spa, $242 with breakfast included.
Roseau Is Incredible For Culture!
If you’re looking for a cultural immersion in your free time in between beach time and jungle excursions, Roseau is a great place to be based.
Dominica’s small, compact capital is located on the island’s southwest coast. It has well-preserved 18th-century colonial architecture, lively street markets where you can find everything from freshly caught fish and fruit to meticulously carved handicraft items, and exotic Botanic Gardens.
The cobblestone-covered Old Market was formerly a slave auction site, and despite its dark past, it now houses a fruit market, and it’s right next to the Dominica Museum, a source of national pride, chronicling the island’s complex History, from its settlement to the slave period to independence.
If you’re hoping to sample the local cuisine while in Dominica, Roseau is then definitely the place to go:
Lacou Melrose serves delicious ceviche and refreshing passionfruit-based drinks, Ruins Rock Cafe is famous for its value-for-money and signature mountain chicken (not made from actual chicken, but a type of native Dominican frog), and Ocean’s Edge is great for seafood with a view.
How Safe Is Dominica?
If you’re concerned about safety going to the Caribbean this year, you should know that nothing sets Dominica quite apart from the Dominican Republic than safety levels.
Don’t get us wrong, the DR’s resort zones are pretty safe for Americans, but definitely don’t go about dando papaya as a gringo in a suburban district of Santo Domingo if you don’t want to get robbed blind.
Dominica is considered to be a very low-risk destination according to U.S. authorities, being listed as a Level 1 country, in the same category as places like Iceland, Switzerland, Finland and Japan, with low to negligible crime, and no travel warnings in place.
In the State Department’s own words, you’re free to exercise ‘normal precaution’ when visiting Dominica:
This means watching out for pickpockets, as uncommon as pickpocketing may be, even, keeping an eye on personal belongings when going to the beach, and avoiding hiking in unmapped areas alone.
This winter, you can fly nonstop to Dominica (DOM) from Miami (MIA), 7 times a week with American Airlines, at a total flight duration of 3h25, and the lowest one-way fare in December being $401.73, as seen on their official website.
From February 2025, United will also be launching nonstop flights from Newark (EWR) once-a-week every Saturday.
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