5 Reasons To Visit Dominica This Year

Dominica, the beautiful island of the Caribbean located between Martinique and Guadeloupe. This gem of an island is not the average Caribbean affair: instead, it has become the ideal eco-tourism site for those who wish to spend some energy in the mountains and undeveloped nature. When you wander the island, you are literally wandering through dense rainforest terrain, up and down mountains, and through volcanic territory. This fascinating island is home to friendly people, stunning views, and budget adventures. Check out our top reasons for visiting Dominica!

1- The Scenery

Local plants include rare orchids and beautiful birds of paradise. The equatorial weather means that it’s sunny, hot, and extremely humid most of the time. This is a true rainforest, getting about six meters of rainfall per year, but the results are an incredibly lush and green environment that is incomparable.

Don’t forget to visit some of Dominica’s incredible waterfalls, such as Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Falls, and Middleham Falls.

2- The Adventures

If you’re ready to get your heart rate up, then Dominica is the place to be.

Diving/Snorkeling: Champagne Reef offers a unique diving experience, letting you see beautifully colored coral reefs and dazzling fish that cover the entire color spectrum. I highly suggest bringing an underwater camera here (I wish I had!). The reef gets its name from the tiny bubbles that rise from the ocean floor, boiling-lake

Hiking: The Monte Trois Pitons national park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is full of incredible hiking adventures. The rise and fall of its many mountains leads you trekking over active volcanoes. The Valley of Desolation is a particularly interesting area, but be extremely careful of the steam vents! The most exciting trek is through the park to reach Boiling Lake, a lake that is at a constant boiling temperature due to the volcano below it. It is an absolutely stunning view, and the hike will take the average climber to the limit of his abilities!

3- The Lonely Planet Recommendation

Lonely Planet has released their long-awaited ‘Best in Travel’ lists, and Dominica ranks in the top 10 countries to visit in 2017! They attribute their recommendation to the beautiful and untouched natural environment of the island, and its great opportunity for eco-tourism. They also cite part of the beautiful history of Dominica and the many activities it holds out to modern explorers.

4- The Island Relaxation

Once you’ve finished with your heart-pumping adventures, it’s time to relax. Dominica is not home to many white-sandy beaches that are common throughout the Caribbean, but there are a few very nice ones. I recommend heading to the town of Portsmouth at the northwestern part of the island to see the lovely strip of beach that they have there. Try the rope swing if you’re really adventurous, or just watch the local kids as they swing into the ocean on a lazy afternoon.