The Caribbean's 'Nature Island' Is A Safe And Affordable Stunner Brimming With Culture

If you're searching for an affordable tropical vacation, head to Dominica for a Caribbean vacation that won't break the bank. Sometimes confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is a striking island nicknamed the 'Nature Island.' It's known for its pristine coast and lush rainforest, the Caribbean's longest trail which spans over 110 miles, and its twin waterfalls that flow from separate sources and meet in a stunning jungle setting.

Dominica is relatively untouched by overtourism, with a focus on eco-tourism, low-cost outdoor activities, affordable accommodation, and authentic cultural events. The island's cultural diversity is on full display during events held throughout the year, from concerts that highlight local Creole music to their unique take on Carnival, with street parades showcasing colorful, elaborate costumes. Plus, compared to some of its surrounding Caribbean island neighbors, Dominica is also safe destination, as the U.S. State Department classifies it as "Level 1: Exercise normal precautions."

The island is situated between the French territories of Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south, but for this lesser-known Caribbean island, reaching Dominica is easier than one might think. The island has two airports, but most international visitors arrive at the larger Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM), located on the northeastern coast. American Airlines offers direct flights from Miami while United Airlines has non-stop service from Newark.

To truly see the nature that Dominica offers, hike the Waitukubuli National Trail, the Caribbean's first and only long distance walking trail. Connecting the north of the island to the south and spanning over 115 miles, it covers over fourteen segments. For $40 USD, you can buy a 15-day hiking pass, allowing you to see the diverse ecosystems of the island, from the rugged mountains and lush rainforests to local villages and pristine beaches. You can register and purchase a pass at the Forestry, Wildlife, and Parks Division in the capital. Plus, if you only want to hike one segment of the trail system, you can buy a day pass for $12. While guides aren't mandatory, they are recommended for some of the more remote difficult segments of the trail.

In the southern part of the country, visit the island's most popular natural wonders in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a terrain of pristine rainforests and waterfalls. Just a 20-minute drive from the capital Roseau you can walk to a picturesque viewing platform to witness Dominica's breathtaking twin waterfalls, Trafalgar Falls. Along a different short walk in the same national forest you'll discover the famed Emerald Pool, a jade-green, fern-draped swimming hole fed by another waterfall. 

For more experienced hikers, visit the island's tallest waterfall, 200-foot Middleham Falls, where trekkers are rewarded with a secluded, refreshingly cool pool to swim in — beware the current cam be strong her. After a day of exploring, Wotten Waven Hot Springs is a must to relax in the steaming mud pools and natural hot sulfur springs. Entry fees to natural attractions are super affordable: a weekly pass for $12will give you access to the island's most popular national parks and wilderness areas.

The Caribbean is famous for celebrations of Carnival, and Dominica is no different. Every year for Carnival just before Ash Wednesday, Mas Domnik takes place in Roseau, a lively street festival that combines African and French influences with parades, costumes, food, and non-stop music and dancing. Roseau is also home to the World Creole Music Festival every October, where performers play to three days of packed crowds with a diverse style of rhythms, from Bouyon and Cadence-Lypso to New Orleans-style Zydeco. Here, the day passes or weekend passes for music events are a fraction of the cost of similar events in the U.S. For even more culture, visit the Kalinago Barana Autê, a center to learn about the island's Indigenous Kalinago people. This immersive experience includes a guided tour of a traditional village, arts and crafts demonstrations, and baking demonstrations to learn how to make cassava bread, with an entrance fee of about $8.

With no high-priced chain resorts in sight, Dominica welcomes travelers with an experience that's easy on the wallet and gentle on the environment. Accommodations range from simple guesthouses and locally run eco-lodges which can be booked for as little as $50 to cozy rustic beach cottages starting at about $130. Even upscale boutique resorts often cost considerably lower here than in the surrounding islands. To stay within your budget, eat where the locals do for around $5 a meal, enjoy delicious street food, or splurge on a 3-course meal that would only run you about $56 at the time of writing.