Dominica

Why Dominica?

Accommodations

Don’t expect to find large chain hotels and resorts here. Tourism is still in its infancy in many ways on Dominica. The island’s accommodation choices include a few lovely eco-resorts, like Rosalie Bay Resort, where I stayed, several small hotels and dive resorts on the Caribbean Sea, and others sprinkled throughout the island. Cottages and apartments are also available.

Activities

Snorkeling, diving, hiking through rainforest to waterfalls and even a boiling lake, turtle watching (nesting and hatchling release, if you time it right!), whale watching, bird watching. Dominica’s Morne Trois Piton National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Beaches

Many of Dominica’s beaches are volcanic in nature and have black sand; many have rocky shores. Other beaches have brown sand, with near-white beaches on the northern coast.

Food and Drink

Fresh fish and seafood is served throughout the Caribbean. If you want to eat local, try Dominica’s national dish, Callalou. Callalou was named Dominica’s official national dish in 2013, replacing Mountain Chicken, actually the legs of a frog called the Crapaud, endemic to Dominica and Montserrat, which has become rare due to overhunting. Callalou soup is a one pot meal combining leaves of green leafy vegetables such as spinach mixed with seasonings, provisions, meat and coconut milk. Callalou itself is the edible leaves of the Amaranth plant and can be cooked as a vegetable similar to spinach. The local beer is Kubuli, brewed with 100% national spring water. Its Macoucherie rum is made with local cane.

Getting There

Airport code: DOM. There are no direct flights from U.S. mainland. Direct flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) are available, as well as connecting flights from nearby islands, including Antigua (ANU), Barbados (BGI), St. Maarten (SXM), Guadeloupe (PTP), and Martinique (FDF). Direct flight from Canada: Toronto (YYZ)

Location

Dominica is in the middle of the Eastern Caribbean archipelago, just a few miles from Martinique to the south and Guadeloupe to the north.

Vibe

The Dominican people are friendly, welcoming and eager to share their island home with visitors who enjoy nature and exploring lush, tropical surroundings.

Tourism Website: Discover Dominica

If you go, don’t miss:

Snorkeling or diving at Champagne Reef, where volcanic vents release warm, bubbling water so you feel like you are swimming through a glass of champagne. Sit in one of the “hot tubs” to feel the heat!

Champagne Reef, Dominica (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

Visit one or more of Dominica’s waterfalls, like Trafalgar’s twin falls and Emerald Pool. There are many more, some more accessible than others.

Emerald Pool, Dominica (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

The Kalinago Territory, where Carib Indians, Dominica’s indigenous people, live on a 3,700 acre Territory on the east coast of the island. Visit to experience their ancestral roots through their crafts, canoe building and traditional culinary activities. Shopper’s alert: Bring home hand-woven baskets, mats and other items made from larouma reeds.

Kalinago Territory, Dominica (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

Enjoy a delicious lunch (or even stay) at Papillote Wilderness Retreat. Don’t miss walking through its surrounding botanical gardens with its and hot mineral pools and waterfall.

Beehive Ginger, Dominica

Creole Fish Plate (© Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

Turtle nesting on Rosalie Bay Resort’s black sand beach.

Leatherback Hatchling, Dominica (Marine Creatures)

Published articles on Dominica:

Irresistible Island

Travelers and turtles find paradise at a resort on the Caribbean island of Dominica

As a young girl growing up in Minnesota, Beverly Deikel never dreamed she would one day move to Dominica in the Caribbean to help protect endangered sea turtles. The island’s lush, volcanic landscapes, waterfalls and rivers captivated her. “Its natural beauty drew me back again and again,” she said, “and I knew it was the place I wanted to be.”

Read the rest of the article, published in AAA’s Home & Away magazine (Hoosier edition) by opening a PDF here: AAA Home & Away Rosalie-Bay-Resort

Rosalie Bay Resort, Dominica

Simply Magical. Those two words carved into a sign at the entrance to Rosalie Bay Resort were brought to mind over and over again as my husband and I immersed ourselves in the sights, sounds, and smells of this 22 acre eco-resort on the island of Dominica. We had passed through its gates in darkness, weary after a full day of travel. After dropping our luggage, we headed for the inviting, open-air Zamaan Restaurant steps away, where we devoured freshly caught red snapper and washed it down with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Then we happily sank into the comfy king bed in our gingerbread cottage nestled by the sea…

Read the rest of the article on TravelSquire.com at this link: https://travelsquire.com/rosalie-bay-resort-dominica/

Dominica, West Indies

A natural choice for nature lovers

Mesmerized by the thousands of warm bubbles surrounding me as if I were sitting in a giant glass of champagne, I settle slowly into one of several underwater hot tubs—heated geothermal springs created by volcanic gases released from the sea floor. I snorkeled here at Dominica’s Champagne Reef on a day excursion from a cruise ship a few years ago and had hoped to return, as it’s rated one of the Caribbean’s top snorkeling and diving sites. Finally, I was back, and this time with my husband…

Read the rest of the article on TravelSquire.com at this link: http://travelsquire.com/dominica-west-indies/

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