Honeymoon in Dominica?
Jul 8th, 2009, 08:14 PM
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Honeymoon in Dominica?
My fiance and I are starting to plan our honeymoon. We're between a trip to Costa Rica or to the Caribbean. If we choose the Caribbean, we're looking for islands that are a bit off the beaten path with a low-key, authentic feeling. We've heard good things about Dominica. Though it sounds as if the beaches aren't the big draw, there seem to be a lot of positives around the culture and the opportunities to explore unique natural settings. Our trip will be in March and we're planning on two weeks.
We're looking for any thoughts/suggestions in terms of Dominca (or other similar islands). Is two weeks too long for that one island? Are there any other islands that we could somewhat easily do a combination with (perhaps St. Lucia)? I've also looked into Guadeloupe, but don't know much about it.
Any thoughts/suggestions/advice would be appreciated!
We're looking for any thoughts/suggestions in terms of Dominca (or other similar islands). Is two weeks too long for that one island? Are there any other islands that we could somewhat easily do a combination with (perhaps St. Lucia)? I've also looked into Guadeloupe, but don't know much about it.
Any thoughts/suggestions/advice would be appreciated!
Jul 9th, 2009, 03:49 AM
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Your island interests are the same as ours, we've been to Costa Rica as well & can't wait to see Dominica. I believe there is a ferry service between some islands...? U could check that out. Another great island is St Vincent/ combined with Bequia.
Jul 9th, 2009, 11:10 AM
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Dominica is a fabulous island with enormous hiking and outdoor opportunities. Very mountainous and unspoilt, however 2 weeks might be a bit long. The flight to Dominica originates in Antigua, so that is an easy place to spend some time, and the two islands are completely different. Antigua is flatter and drier with more of a beach culture and great historical sites. St Lucia is also an easy hop from Dominica but similar in the mountainous aspect though more developed and has a few decent beaches.
Jul 11th, 2009, 11:56 AM
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Heard good things about Dominica and St. Lucia, but never been.
To island hop, you could do several of the Virgin Islands pretty easily with some planning using ferries or perhaps an island hopper flight. Many many low-key off the beaten path islands with beautiful beaches. Some people also hire a sailboat (with captain and cook) to sail through the islands.
St. John, USVI is fantastic.
Caneel Bay is great, low key and nice.
You can ferry from St. Thomas, USVI (airport) to St. John, Virgin Gorda, BVI, Jost Van Dyke, BVI, and Tortola, BVI, all of which would fit your bill.
You could also fly to the USVI through San Juan, PR a common gateway, and do the island of Vieques (small) or Culebra (very small), which are part of Puerto Rico, for part of the time and then on to the USVI or BVI.
Have Fun!
To island hop, you could do several of the Virgin Islands pretty easily with some planning using ferries or perhaps an island hopper flight. Many many low-key off the beaten path islands with beautiful beaches. Some people also hire a sailboat (with captain and cook) to sail through the islands.
St. John, USVI is fantastic.
Caneel Bay is great, low key and nice.
You can ferry from St. Thomas, USVI (airport) to St. John, Virgin Gorda, BVI, Jost Van Dyke, BVI, and Tortola, BVI, all of which would fit your bill.
You could also fly to the USVI through San Juan, PR a common gateway, and do the island of Vieques (small) or Culebra (very small), which are part of Puerto Rico, for part of the time and then on to the USVI or BVI.
Have Fun!
Jul 15th, 2009, 07:52 AM
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I've been to Dominica many times for diving, so I am happy to answer questions. It is a beautiful island with friendly people but it isn't everyone's dream vacation. I think it depends what you want and what your travel style is.
Beaches are almost non-existent. Where there is sand, it is usually dark and not what you imagine a tropical beach to be. A better alternative is to find a rental cottage with a balcony and a sweeping view, then tan there, if tanning is your thing. We sit and look at the view for hours, just relaxing and watching the pattern of the wind on the waves.
Many visitors spend their time at eco-resorts in the rainforest, not doing a traditional Caribbean beach vacation at all. It is very jungley, dark, mysterious, and beautiful back there. Great for birdwatchers and people interested in local flora.
If you are divers or at all interested in getting certified, look into Nature Island Dive. They have a great staff, very low key and nice yet super professional, safe, and skilled. The diving in Soufriere Bay is spectacular- just incredible beauty everywhere you look. They also run snorkel trips, kayaking, biking in the mountains, etc. Truly good people who love the island- half owned by an English couple and half by a local couple who have taken local guys and trained them to be some of the best dive masters I've ever met.
We rent a house when we go, and dive all morning and hike and explore in the afternoons, or chill out reading on our porch and drinking Kubulis (the locally brewed lager- fabulous because of the mountain spring water).
The big outdoor market in Rouseau is a must for foodies. We visit and pick up lots of fruit, amazing vegetables, the roots the locals call "provisions" and experiment with them to make dinner each night. There are a few nicer restaurants in town but if you want to do lots of dining out, Dominica may disappoint.
If you like nature, low key vacations, outdoorsy pursuits, and you are independent and don't demand perfect cleanliness and comfort, you will enjoy Dominica. There are bugs, lizards, etc everywhere, many places aren't air conditioned, and there is a lot of poverty on the island. People are generally very peaceful but it isn't set up for tourists, so there isn't much worry about serving you well in some places.
I was a bit shocked on my first visit by the sort of third world vibe in some parts of the island. I've since learned to appreciate it and see it differently. At the risk of sounding like the sort of smug person who calls themselves a traveller rather than a tourist, I will say that I have friends and family who would hate a trip to Dominica. They want manicured resort grounds, beauty and luxury, etc and would be really disturbed to see people living in shacks made of old billboards and kids bathing at a town water pump.
I also enjoy the luxury sometimes on vacation. It isn't why you go to Dominica though. Dominica has its own attractions but it can be a challenge. Two weeks might get old if you are hot, bitten by mosquitos, sick of limited food choices, etc. Of course, two weeks of diving there would be heaven! It depends on what you want and why you are going.
Once nice idea might be to "rough it" for the first week on Dominica, doing the adventure part of the vacation, then go to St Lucia or somewhere to a more luxurious resort for the second week to chill.
Beaches are almost non-existent. Where there is sand, it is usually dark and not what you imagine a tropical beach to be. A better alternative is to find a rental cottage with a balcony and a sweeping view, then tan there, if tanning is your thing. We sit and look at the view for hours, just relaxing and watching the pattern of the wind on the waves.
Many visitors spend their time at eco-resorts in the rainforest, not doing a traditional Caribbean beach vacation at all. It is very jungley, dark, mysterious, and beautiful back there. Great for birdwatchers and people interested in local flora.
If you are divers or at all interested in getting certified, look into Nature Island Dive. They have a great staff, very low key and nice yet super professional, safe, and skilled. The diving in Soufriere Bay is spectacular- just incredible beauty everywhere you look. They also run snorkel trips, kayaking, biking in the mountains, etc. Truly good people who love the island- half owned by an English couple and half by a local couple who have taken local guys and trained them to be some of the best dive masters I've ever met.
We rent a house when we go, and dive all morning and hike and explore in the afternoons, or chill out reading on our porch and drinking Kubulis (the locally brewed lager- fabulous because of the mountain spring water).
The big outdoor market in Rouseau is a must for foodies. We visit and pick up lots of fruit, amazing vegetables, the roots the locals call "provisions" and experiment with them to make dinner each night. There are a few nicer restaurants in town but if you want to do lots of dining out, Dominica may disappoint.
If you like nature, low key vacations, outdoorsy pursuits, and you are independent and don't demand perfect cleanliness and comfort, you will enjoy Dominica. There are bugs, lizards, etc everywhere, many places aren't air conditioned, and there is a lot of poverty on the island. People are generally very peaceful but it isn't set up for tourists, so there isn't much worry about serving you well in some places.
I was a bit shocked on my first visit by the sort of third world vibe in some parts of the island. I've since learned to appreciate it and see it differently. At the risk of sounding like the sort of smug person who calls themselves a traveller rather than a tourist, I will say that I have friends and family who would hate a trip to Dominica. They want manicured resort grounds, beauty and luxury, etc and would be really disturbed to see people living in shacks made of old billboards and kids bathing at a town water pump.
I also enjoy the luxury sometimes on vacation. It isn't why you go to Dominica though. Dominica has its own attractions but it can be a challenge. Two weeks might get old if you are hot, bitten by mosquitos, sick of limited food choices, etc. Of course, two weeks of diving there would be heaven! It depends on what you want and why you are going.
Once nice idea might be to "rough it" for the first week on Dominica, doing the adventure part of the vacation, then go to St Lucia or somewhere to a more luxurious resort for the second week to chill.
Aug 8th, 2009, 07:46 PM
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I returned from Dominica a month ago and I still can't stop thinking about it. I have to say that most places I go (Virgin Islands, Hawaii, etc) people tell me "you should have seen it 30 yrs ago when I was there... well, no kidding, Dominica is 100 yrs ago. It is so pure and completely untouched.
While it is not known for its beaches, I did some of the most amazing snorkeling in my life! I saw untouched coral and every species of fish in three separate spots!
The hiking and the waterfalls are un-paralleled. Really!
I stayed at the best place ever, and not at all too expensive: rootsjungleretreat.com
It is like eco-friendly camping and Bed and Breakfast combined. Fresh food made every morning. They grow it on property. The place is gorgeous and the people are friendly.
They have kai pais which are huts that you rent. It is straight out of Gilligan's island!
I hope you'll go there. It is truly the most romantic place I've ever been by far.
While it is not known for its beaches, I did some of the most amazing snorkeling in my life! I saw untouched coral and every species of fish in three separate spots!
The hiking and the waterfalls are un-paralleled. Really!
I stayed at the best place ever, and not at all too expensive: rootsjungleretreat.com
It is like eco-friendly camping and Bed and Breakfast combined. Fresh food made every morning. They grow it on property. The place is gorgeous and the people are friendly.
They have kai pais which are huts that you rent. It is straight out of Gilligan's island!
I hope you'll go there. It is truly the most romantic place I've ever been by far.
