As travel continues to recover from the pandemic and restrictions lift, Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a) is offering new hotel deals, exciting adventures and increased airfare for U.S. travelers. Due to popular demand, Dominica’s distinctive hotels have also announced extending popular package specials and excursion deals to new and returning guests. Dominica is recognized in providing limitless adventure and thrill without the environmental harm, proving to be a positive model for sustainability and eco-tourism.
“We are excited to be partnering with American Airlines to offer direct U.S. travel access to our unique island,” says Colin Piper, Discover Dominica Authority’s CEO/Director of Tourism. “To have more than half of our U.S. travelers arriving from these direct flights is a testament to the work we have done in making this happen. This partnership has been a perfect opportunity to continue reaching new heights and offer even more incredible offerings for travelers to discover ‘The Nature Island’.”
AIRLINE NEWS
In December 2021, American Airlines announced its first direct flights to Dominica from the United States. Departing from Miami, Fl, travelers now have the luxury of arriving on the island in just three hours. This past spring, the flight expanded from just three days a week to daily, due to high demand. American Airlines operates an Embraer Regional Jet (ERJ) 175 with a capacity for 76 passengers, 12 first-class seats and 64 main cabin seats. Since announcing its official launch in December 2021, 65% of US travelers visiting Dominica have traveled to the island from these direct flights. For more information on tickets and purchases, visit https://www.aa.com.
HOTEL DEALS AND SPECIALS
Rosalie Bay
Eco-resort Rosalie Bay is offering guests a Rejuvinature package, which focuses on holistic methods of vacationing. The holistic, boutique resort embraces the natural elements of health and wellness, engaging visitors with three pillars representing their program – “Live Well,” “Eat Well” and “Glo Well.” Within these pillars, fitness programs, farm-to-table cuisines and organic, herbal spa treatments are tailored to each guest’s vacation preferences. The Rejuvinature package includes a 3-night hotel accommodation, breakfast for two, one detoxing spa treatment, yoga, roundtrip airport transfer and more. All packages are offered through December 16, 2022. For more information, visit www.rosaliebaydominica.com.
Manicou River
A collection of hand-crafted wooden cottages, a bar and bistro, the idyllic Manicou River is situated among the trees on a mountainside overlooking the Caribbean Sea, offering a true nature experience. The fully off-grid hotel is well-spaced apart, offering privacy and peace. All the sustainable hotel’s plumbing is rainwater, and all of the electricity is solar powered, making the hotel one of the only 100% energy self-sufficient hotels on the island. Available now through October 31, 2022, the hotel is offering a special package for two, inclusive of a welcome cocktail, a daily full breakfast is offered daily and a nightly 3-course dinner featuring local specialties, farm-to-table produce and fresh, native ingredients. For more information, visit www.manicouriver.com.
Jungle Bay Resort
Jungle Bay Resort is a nature-inspired luxury escape, connecting each guest to the soul of Dominica. The nature resort is now offering their Adventure Wellness Package year-round, including accommodation in their eco-villas, farm to table meals and juices, daily spa treatments and yoga sessions. Their adventure package also includes access to island excursions including hikes throughout their more than 300 miles of trail, exploring hidden waterfalls, snorkeling in Champagne Reef, ocean kayaking, visiting the island’s hot springs, cooking classes, herbal tea tastings and local rum samplings. For more information on this deal and more, visit https://www.junglebaydominica.com.
Hibiscus Valley Inn
Due to popular demand, the Hibiscus Valley Inn has extended their 7-night adventure package for new and returning guests. The week is planned for visitors, filled with adventure excursions every day. Guests can enjoy guided hikes through Twin Falls and Dominica’s luscious rainforests, visits to the Morne Trois National Park, river tubing, river boat rides through Portsmouth and Fort Shirley, experiencing the Boiling Lake, and relaxing days on some of the island’s unique, black sand beaches. For more information, visit https://hibiscusvalley.com.
Citrus Creek Plantation
For families looking to experience Dominica together, Citrus Creek Plantation is offering their “4toExplore” package through December 22, 2022. This package includes a 3-night stay in their Riverside cottage, self-catering breakfast, airport transfers, guided tours through the botanical gardens, Trafalgar Falls and Titou Gorge, all site passes, and daily lunch and dinner accommodations. For more information, visit https://citruscreekplantation.com.
TOURS AND ATTRACTIONS
Whale Watching Cruise
Dominica is the one of the only countries in the Caribbean where sperm whales roam its waters all year long. Exploring the island’s oceans and marine life is essential to the Dominican experience, and the Whale Watching Cruise excursion grants the opportunity for guests and their families to dive right into the island’s vast waters. Sperm whales are usually viewed between Scotts Head and Portsmouth and offer not only a chance for visitors to witness these animals in all their natural glory but also offer incredible views over the mountains and villages of Massacre, Jimmit, Warner, and Layou, to name a few.
Island Style Fishing with Captain Jerry
Exploring Dominica’s oceans has never been easier than Island Style Fishing with Captain Jerry Daway. Captain Jerry has more than 30 years of fishing experience and 25 years of whale watching and diving experience. The certified dive master and boat captain takes visitors on a voyage out to the Caribbean waters with opportunities to swim with the island’s resident sperm whales and explore marine life. Choose from half or full-day trips of deep-sea sport fishing adventures, offered year-round.
Snorkeling in Champagne Reef
Named for the bubbling waters rising from volcanic thermal springs on the ocean floor, travelers are invited to discover Champagne Reef’s dazzling undersea creatures and their homes with this guided snorkeling tour. Perched on the edge of a submerged volcano, Champagne Reef attracts snorkeling enthusiasts around the world, offering potential encounters with the remains of the 17th century Spanish shipwreck and high viewing expectancies of a myriad of sea life including sponges, lobster, parrot fish, and a resident population of Hawksbill turtles. The snorkeling tour is approved by the Environmental Health Department and NISE-certified Discover Dominica authorities with CB DECO registration handle every Champagne Reef Snorkeling Tour. Drinks are available at the dive center with each snorkeling ticket granting guests access to the beach for the rest of the day. For more information on reservations and package specials, visit www.whalewatchdominica.com.
PADI Discover Scuba Diving
Dominica offers certification courses for scuba diving enthusiasts and the PADI Discover Scuba Diving program is a perfect way to get your feet wet with this sport. This program is a diving experience for adults and children aged 10 years and older, offering shallow watered breathing exercises and basic instructions at its commencement, then taking guests on their first real dive around Champagne Beach’s famous bubbles and marine life from Champagne Reef. With certified instructors accompanying every diver, guests can experience the thrill of being surrounded by colorful fish, vibrant reefs, and the rich Caribbean experience Dominica brings to its deep blue seas. For more details, visit www.whalewatchdominica.com.
Wacky Rollers River Tubing Adventure
Dominica is home to 365 rivers – one for each day of the year. For those travelers looking to experience Dominica’s rivers, Wacky Rollers River Tubing Adventure offers a river tubing tour with a combination of fast rapids and slow flowing pools. The river tubing experience is not only an exciting river adventure but also a peaceful voyage surrounded by the island’s luscious rainforests, spectacular beach and volcanic scenery.
Wacky Rollers Jeep Safari
Experience unobstructed 360-degree views of Dominica with Wacky Rollers Jeep Safari tour. The adventure begins with some sightseeing on a short drive through Roseau and Morne Bruce leading towards the renowned Trafalgar Falls for a brief 10-minute walk through its lush rainforest. The jeep safari tour continues to Titou Gorge – the picturesque location where Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean 2 – Dead Man’s Chest filmed Captain Jack Sparrow’s infamous run from the island’s natives. Guests can swim between the mountains of the gorge to find its crystal-clear waterfall before returning to their hotel where delicious rum punch will be served.
Cooking with Daria
When it comes to Caribbean cuisine, there is nothing more authentic than a culinary experience with the well-renowned local chef, Daria. Cooking Class with Daria offers guests the opportunity to learn the secrets of traditional Caribbean cuisine using the island’s native and freshest produce, including seasonal menu ingredients like coconut rice, peas, tropical salads, and Creole fish. Let’s not forget the custom libations – guests enjoy their meal with a glass of island rum punch made fresh upon arrival.
