Visit Dominica
Follow a road into rainforest, stop beside a river for a swim, then keep going until the island turns volcanic. Dominica is one of the Caribbean’s most mountainous islands, with waterfalls, hot springs, dense forest, black-sand beaches and steep interior valleys packed into a relatively small area. It suits travellers who want to hike, swim and explore rather than spend the whole trip around a resort pool. Morne Trois Pitons National Park is the clearest example of what makes the island different. The UNESCO World Heritage Site protects tropical forest, volcanic peaks, fumaroles, hot springs, freshwater lakes and the Boiling Lake, all within a 7,000-hectare landscape. Dominica also has the Waitukubuli National Trail, a long-distance route crossing rainforest, villages, farmland and mountain terrain, so there is plenty here for people who want something more active than conventional Caribbean sightseeing. Give yourself at least a week, preferably longer if you want to combine hiking, waterfalls, coastal time and different parts of the island. The terrain and road network mean journeys can take longer than the distances suggest, and heavy rain can affect trails and access. Build the trip around a few strong bases rather than trying to rush everywhere. Add Dominica to your list and see the Caribbean at its most rugged and green.