Dominica!

We were able to escape the winter cold for several days in the eastern Caribbean island of Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) in mid-February and it was a welcome respite.

Located in the Lesser Antilles, Dominica is part of The Commonwealth and its primary language is English.

Dominica also shares its currency, the Eastern Carribean Dollar (XCD or $EC), with nearby island nations that are also in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (all except British Virgin Islands, which uses the U.S. dollar). The U.S. dollar is also widely accepted in Dominica.

U.S. News and World Report calls Dominica "the Caribbean's best kept secret." It sure felt like a secret when we were able to enjoy some of its most well-known attractions either by ourselves or with only a small number of other people. Our experience was the opposite of that written about in Disappointed in Dominica and I believe that's because we did not travel to Dominica via cruise. In fact, we intentionally avoided the most well-known sites on the day with the largest cruise ship in Roseau's port.

We flew into and out of Dominica (with connections in Miami) via the Douglas-Charles International Airport (airport code DOM and formerly known as Melville Hall Airport) in northeastern Dominica.

Indeed, the availability of a direct flight from Miami to Dominica was one of the reasons we decided to go to Dominica after being interested in it for several years (since seeing it featured in Ocean Treks "Nature Island" episode with Jeff Corwin).

Specific details of our visits to attractions in Dominica (offically called Commonwealth of Dominica) are discussed in these individual blog posts:

• Snorkeling at Champagne Reef
• Snorkeling at Scott's Head
• Bubble Beach Spa
• Whale Watching
• Morne Bruce Viewpoint
• Cabrits National Park and Fort Shirley
• Trafalgar Falls
• Emerald Pool
• Jacko Falls
• Spanny Falls
• Indian River
• Snorkeling at Toucari Beach
• Syndicate Nature Trail
• Papillote Tropical Gardens
• Titou Gorge
• Mero Beach
• Dominica Botanical Gardens
• Batibou Beach
• Pointe Batiste Estate Chocolate Factory
• Red Rocks
• Flying To and From Dominica
• Driving in Dominica
• Dining in Dominica
• Kootney Resort
• Dominica During COVID
• What We Missed in Dominica
• Dominica Travel Tips

By flying to Dominica and staying for several days, we were able to experience the "Nature Island" on very intimate terms. It was an amazing experience due to its natural beauty, its welcoming and helpful residents, and the feeling of having all of the benefits of this beautiful island shared only by the residents and ourselves (and a very small number of fellow tourists). Other than the airport, there were no lines, no waiting for another group of tourists, and many opportunities to speak with the locals in an unhurried manner.