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Have you been dreaming of a Caribbean getaway lately, but Cancun, Punta Cana and the like – and their overcrowded resorts and lack of authenticity – are just not for you anymore?
Don’t worry: there is one lesser known sunny spot on the east side of the turquoise sea, where the coastal views are just as beautiful, the nature much more abundant, and most importantly, there are no big crowds to ruin your perfect beach day.
Oh, and did we mention they’re active encouraging Americans visiting?
This winter the relaxed island of Dominica is the place to be. Read again, Dominica. Not the Dominican Republic.
Here’s how they differ:
Wait, so this isn’t Punta Cana we’re talking about?
Not even remotely.
To start, Dominica is a completely different country.
Although it has an eerily similar name, it has no substantial historical ties to the Dominican Republic (DR), home to popular resorts like Punta Cana and Puerto Plata.
It was colonized by the French and the British at different periods before gaining its independence as a sovereign nation, while the Dominican Republic is culturally Spanish-speaking.
Additional, the official language is English––with some French inflections––not Spanish, and Dominica is one island, unlike the DR, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
While the better known Dominican Republic is characterized by its vast coffee plantations and sandy coastline, Dominica is volcanic in nature:
What makes Dominica special?
It is usually called the ‘Natural island of the Caribbean‘, as it is host to unique geological formations and rich wildlife, attracting adventurers and nature lovers alike.
Despite being small, slightly smaller than New York City, only 29 miles long and 20 miles wide, with a population of just over 73,000 people, Dominica has no shortage of natural wonders:
The most famous park is the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, with a wide range of green ecosystemsdense rainforests, volcanic peaks and even dotted with thermal baths.
It can be easily visited from Roseau, the island’s capital, with tours costing $140 per person. 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, the Titou Gorge. filled with emerald green water flowing from mountain creeksand the landmark Trafalgar Falls, cascading over verdant slopes.
Such as the Convention of Biological Diversity notesOver 65% of Dominica is covered in natural vegetation, so there is truly an endless number of beautiful natural areas to discover.
Look at all these amazing beaches with no crowd
It’s not a Caribbean vacation without some quality beach time, and we’re happy to report that the beaches in Dominica aren’t nearly as crowded as those of Cancun, or Tulum, or Montego Bay, or any other Caribbean destination you can name.
From the unique Champagne beach, which takes its name from the volcanic bubbles rising from warm water along the coastline, to the trendy Mero, one of the few swimming spots in Dominica with restaurants and other tourist facilities, it always feels like it’s ‘low’ season.
The whole island sees it an average of 200,000 visitors per yearof whom only 75,000 are not cruise ship visitors: in other words, it is virtually undiscovered, and it is no wonder that they are now 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’ stay deals, and even tour operators and car rental companies have joined in, cutting prices by 10 to 20%.
Feeling tempted to stay in Dominica for more than just a stopover?
Check out Portsmouth beach hotelof room rates from $108, Coco Mango Suiteswhere a private studio will cost you $94 a night, or if you don’t mind spending a little, the luxury Rosalie Bay Eco Resort & Spa$242 including breakfast.
Roseau is incredible for culture!
If you’re looking for a cultural immersion in your spare time between beach time and jungle excursions, Roseau is a great place to stay.
The small, compact capital of Dominica is located on the southwest coast of the island. It has well-preserved 18th-century colonial architecture, lively street markets where you can find everything from freshly caught fish and fruit to carefully cut handicrafts and exotic botanical gardens.
The cobbled Old Market used to be a slave auction, and despite its dark past it is now home to a fruit market. It is located right next to the Dominica Museum, a source of national pride, detailing the complex history of the island from the settlement onwards. to the slave period to independence.
If you’re hoping to sample the local cuisine while in Dominica, Roseau is definitely the place to go:
Lacou Melrose serves delicious ceviche and refreshing passion fruit drinks, Ruins Rock Cafe is known for its value for money and its signature mountain chicken (not made from real chicken, but a type of native Dominican frog), and Ocean edge is great for seafood with a view.
How safe is Dominica?
If you’re concerned about safety if you go to the Caribbean this year, you should know that Dominica is nothing different from the Dominican Republic. Republic than safety levels.
Don’t get us wrong: the resort areas of the DR are quite safe for Americans, but definitely don’t go there dando papaya as a gringo in a suburb of Santo Domingo if you don’t want to be robbed blind.
Dominica is considered a very low-risk destination according to US authorities and is listed as a Level 1 country, in the same category as places like Iceland, Switzerland, Finland and Japan, with low to negligible crimeand no travel warnings are in effect.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs own words, you are free to take ‘normal precautions’ when visiting Dominica:
This means watching out for pickpockets, no matter how uncommon pickpocketing is, even keeping an eye on your personal belongings when you go to the beach, and not walking alone in unfamiliar areas.
This winter, you can fly American Airlines non-stop to Dominica (DOM) from Miami (MIA) 7 times a week, with a total flight duration of 3h25, and the lowest one-way fare in December is $401.73, as seen on their official website.
Starting in February 2025, United will also launch nonstop flights from Newark (EWR) every Saturday.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
