You or probably several people you know have been to Jamaica, Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, maybe even Saint Lucia. But do you know anyone who has been to Dominica? Dominica is a truly off-the-beaten path destination, with only three direct flights from mainland USA per week (American Airlines out of Miami), with most other flights having connections in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
If you’re a curious traveler who dares to go where few have trekked, Dominica should be catapulted to the top of your bucket list. And don’t get it twisted that all Caribbean islands are the same, because Dominica is unique to region in more ways than one. If you’re curious as to what makes Dominica so special, here are 10 incredible things to do when visiting “The Nature Island.”
1. Visit a Black Sand Beach
If you’re looking for white sand beaches, Dominica is not the place for you. Since the island is volcanic, just about all of the beaches are black sand beaches. Don’t let this deter you; black sand beaches are strikingly beautiful and make for great photos (especially if you have a drone!).
- Fashion tip: Black sand beaches mean black bathing suits. They pop better and you won’t have sandy residue ruining the color.
2. Swim or Tube through Titou Gorge
If you’re a movie fan, particularly of Pirates of the Caribbean, then this setting might look familiar. That’s because Titou Gorge is where part of Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed. Even if movies aren’t your thing, the waterfall found within the gorge is worth it even without the reference. There is no entry fee, but you might want to consider renting a floaty since it can get quite deep and the water pulls you at a steady current. Speaking of the water, get ready to cool off quickly from that Caribbean sun, because it’s cold!
3. Hike Trafalgar Falls
Calling Trafalgar Falls a “hike” is a little bit of a stretch, as it’s really more of a ten-minute walk, but this was my favorite waterfall I saw in Dominica. There’s a small gazebo area to take in the falls, but go toward the left, and you’ll see a small set of stairs going downward. If you head down that way, you can get much closer to the 125-feet tall falls, taking in their majestic beauty up close and personal. Note that there is a $5 entry fee to Trafalgar.
4. Go Horseback Riding Through Cabrits National Park
As a woman who has solo traveled to over 70 countries, there are still some things I’ve never done in life. One of those things was horseback-riding, but that changed when I visited Dominica. Yes, at the ripe age of 33, in one of the least visited Caribbean islands out there, I finally rode my first horse. How’s that for a travel story?
I was a little nervous to do so, but I took the chance with Rainforest Riding. They are located just down the road from the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa, and I rode a horse both directly on the beach and throughout Cabrits National Park. The ride was about 45 minutes, and I saw plenty of lush flora and fauna, and even a few crabs along the way.
5. Head to Wotten Waven Hot Springs
Wellness junkies, rejoice. Dominica has the best natural outdoor spa I’ve ever experienced. For a real treat, head to Ti Kwen Glo Cho hot springs, which has a $10 entry fee. Not only is it filled with different pools filled with natural sulphur water, but my absolute favorite part was a bathtub in the middle of the forest. Taking a bath in the middle of nature amongst the insanely beautiful flowers of Dominica quickly became my epitome definition of heaven on earth. I was in there for a good two hours, and they pretty much had to drag me out.
6. Eat Local Food
Caribbean food, despite being overly-generalized, greatly varies from island to island, and Dominica is no exception. You’ll notice provisions on every menu, which simply means a combination of root vegetables like sweet potatoes, yams, and plantains, typically served alongside rice. You’ll, of course, try plenty of fresh seafood, and you’ll want to grab some curry chicken or curry goat. For a unique fun fact about Dominica’s food, ask a local about “mountain chicken.” Mountain chicken is actually a giant frog, and was the national dish of the island until the frog species became endangered. So, safe to say you won’t get to try mountain chicken during your visit to Dominica, but you will certainly see lots of frog references all over the island.
7. Attend a Rum Tasting
When in Rome, baby, err… when in the Caribbean, one must drink rum. Bush Rum is a common locally sourced rum of the island, and I highly recommend attending a rum tasting so you can sample some. I attended one at my hotel, InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort and Spa, where I tried variations like ginger-infused rum and lemongrass-infused rum. I even ended up behind the bar at one point, so, hey, you never know what kind of trouble the rum from Dominica will get you into.
8. Stay at InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa
I am fortunate to travel frequently for both pleasure and professional reasons. More so on the professional side, I’ve stayed in some of the best hotels and resorts all around the globe. So, when I say a hotel blew me away, I really mean it, and I can’t emphasize enough how much I loved the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa. This hotel is above and beyond. The pools are pristine, with one offering a swim-up bar, all encased by the serene backdrop of the natural beauty of the island. There are frog statues, giving nod to the mountain chicken I mentioned under “Eat local food.” The attention to detail is top-notch, with even the door handle leading into the hotel being a black octopus.
The rooms are comfortable, and offer balconies overlooking the pool area and out into the Caribbean Sea. But the best of the best was the spa. I took a natural mud bath naked in nature (yes, completely butt naked), and had the best massage of my life. One thing to note about this hotel is that it is about an hour and a half from the airport, and the ride both to and from is rough thanks to the island’s natural terrain. If you have a sensitive stomach, you might want to consider taking something prior to the drive. I pride myself on having a strong stomach and it was rough for even me. However, any ride is totally worth it to arrive at the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa.
9. Dive or Snorkel in Champagne Reef
Diving and snorkeling are common activities to partake in when in the Caribbean, but they’re pretty much required when you’re in Dominica. Why is that, you ask? Oh, because Dominica is home to something called Champagne Reef, a continually bubbling colorful underwater formation. The reef garnered its name from the constant bubbling, which is due to the underlying volcanic thermal water. You might not be able to swim in actual champagne, but in Dominica, you can get pretty close. Cheers to that!
- Are you an avid snorkeler or diver? It’s well worth investing in your own gear, like my hot pink one set in the photo above.
10. Relax.
You’re on island time, baby. Grab a cocktail, sit by the pool, go lay out on a black sand beach, grab lunch by a waterfall, take a bath in nature. Whatever it is, Dominica’s immeasurable natural beauty makes it easy to leave your worries at home and immerse yourself with your surroundings. Turn that brain off and relax.
DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!
DISCLAIMER II: InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa hosted me for three nights