Dominica Itinerary: One Week in Paradise

Dominica has everything a traveler could want, from deep sea diving and beautiful black sand beaches to luxury resorts and fantastic fresh food. Not to mention friendly, knowledgeable, and talented people!

Copy my Dominica itinerary for a vacation like no other with rainforest hikes, black sand beaches, lively Kweyol music, and much more. After reading this article, I think you’ll understand why it’s my favorite Caribbean island to visit.

And if you enjoy this post, you’ll also love my list of fun things to do in Dominica!

Is Dominica a good island to visit?

Dominica is a volcanic island located in the West Indies with a population of about 70,000 people. Known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica is home to one UNESCO World Heritage Site and several nature preserves. If you’re interested in an outdoorsy vacation with natural beauty and amazing local food, this is the destination for you.

The way of living is in cooperation with nature. Dominica’s responsible land use, emphasis on herbal knowledge, and high number of centernarians have attracted studies by the World Health Organization. After the Netflix series on Blue Zones, I noticed so many of the markers of a Blue Zone exist in Dominica.

This island is harder to get to and unspoiled so the vibes are less commercial than others I’ve visited. Although the names are similar, having been to both, it should never be confused with the Dominican Republic! No shade.

Dominican languages include English and Creole and the currency is Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD). The local time zone is Atlantic Standard Time, which aligns to Eastern Standard Time, depending on the time of year (Dominica doesn’t observe Daylight Savings Time).

Check out top hotels in Dominica on Expedia!

Best Time to Visit Dominica

Dominica is truly beautiful, lush, and warm year-round, with average lows in the 70s and average highs in the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit! There is, however, a rainy season, which coincides with hurricane season and runs from June to October. This is also the low season for travel.

Keep this in mind if your primary aim is to engage in outdoor activities like hiking and free-diving, which are weather dependent. You can still do these things during rainy season, but there will be fewer opportunities for them during the season’s peak in August.

For budget-conscious travelers, I recommend traveling during the low season as prices for accommodations and flights are typically cheaper and attractions are uncrowded. I visited Dominica in May, which was hot and humid with some rainy days and plenty of suitable weather for every activity I wanted to get into.

Dominica has unique holidays that highlight their blended African, Indigenous, and European culture and I plan to return during the fall for Creole Heritage Month in October and Dominica Independence Day on November 3rd.

While you’re planning your trip, check out my Dominica packing list and women’s outfit ideas!

How to Get There

Coming from the United States, most flights will depart from Miami, Florida. I flew out of Houston via American Airlines to Miami then to Douglas-Charles International Airport (DOM), which is located on the northeast side of the island near the Atlantic Ocean. From my experience, the airport is very small and straightforward, with just one terminal, so it doesn’t have the capacity for as many flights as other major Caribbean airports.

A new airport located in Wesley, Dominica, is slated for completion in 2025. The new flight schedule is expected to accommodate more flights, including more direct flights, and more carriers! This will definitely improve how to visit Dominica in the future.

Dominica travel requirements for American visitors stipulate that you must hold a valid passport and proof of a return ticket. Wondering how long can I stay in Dominica? No tourist visa is required if you plan to stay for fewer than 21 days, and this applies whether you’re traveling by air or as a cruise passenger.

And if you’re vacationing to Dominica from a nearby island like St. Lucia or Guadeloupe, check out the ferry schedule with options for Roseau and Portsmouth.

As far as immigration procedures, there’s a customs form you can either complete in advance online or on a hard copy upon arrival. I did the digital version of the form and found the entry process to be smooth and quick once I got to the airport.

Read my best tips for traveling on a budget before you book your ticket to Dominica!

How to Get Around

In Dominica, they drive on the opposite side of the road from the US. This is not new to me, having driven in Turks and Caicos and Grand Cayman before; however, the winding one-lane mountain roads take skill to navigate. Some are very narrow and steep, and falling rocks are an issue during particularly stormy weather.

For these reasons, I opted not to rent a car and relied on transportation from my accommodation. Taxis and public transit are also widely available. But if you do plan to drive, download a few Google Maps routes for use offline before you depart.

As a passenger, I sometimes got motion sick between the elevation and twists and turns in the road, so here’s a tip to help avoid that: Keep your eyes on the road–literally! Don’t look around at the sky, sea, and passing flora and fauna.

Check out rental car options in Dominica!

Where to Stay

I stayed at Jungle Bay Eco-Resort in Soufriere and it was perfect for a solo traveler. All kinds of excursions that people come to Dominica for were part of my all-inclusive package and I made several travel buddies during the adventures and mealtimes.

This hotel has a luxury vibe while staying in harmony with nature and attracts all kinds of travelers. I met folks on their honeymoon, babymoon, girls trips, and more!

Here’s my full review of Jungle Bay Resort in Dominica, including the pros and cons of this property.

Dominica One Week Itinerary

Arrival Spa Day

I arrived in the afternoon on Isidore Monday, which is a locally-celebrated holiday and got a tour of the resort then settled in for some low-key activities before the bustle of the trip properly began.

Herbal Experience Class – This experience was offered at Jungle Bay’s onsite spa and was a great primer to the beautiful plants I would see throughout the rest of my trip. We learned about Dominica’s abundance of healing plants used in teas and tinctures and more.

And the class culminated with us crafting our own custom tea blends to sip and wind down with!

Signature Massage – One of my favorite parts of staying at Jungle Bay was the daily spa treatments included in my rate. And I took full advantage. Kicking things off with the signature Jungle Bay massage is something I still thank my past self for to this day. Five stars!

Hiking to Paradise

Perdu Temps Hike – We started bright and early to walk and climb along the Perdue Temps River up a rainforested mountain, retracing the steps of Dominican Maroons. This hike is no joke, and the change in elevation plus the steep inclines put my knees and my lung capacity to the test. But the views and snacks nature provided along the way were lovely.

We wrapped up the first half of the hike at a local off-grid homestead that truly felt like paradise with an orchard and garden, animals, and a crystal-clear stream we drank from close by!

Here’s everything you need to know about the Perdu Temps Trail hike experience!

Pedicure – I figured after all the time in hiking boots, my feet could use a treat so I went back to the Jungle Bay Spa for a pedi. This wasn’t my favorite service but I was worn out for the hike so I still found it relaxing.

Recovery Day

Jungle Bay Pool – After a strenuous excursion through the rainforest, a chill lounge day was in order so I had breakfast outside then spent the morning lounging at the infinity pool overlooking Scott’s Head before heading the spa, yet again, for a much-appreciated back massage.

Caribbean Cooking Class – In the afternoon, Chef Wendy taught us how to cook a couple of Dominican staples, including pumpkin soup and green papaya salad.

Check out my list of the best foods to try in Dominica to ensure you have the yummiest trip ever!

Day Trip to Soufriere

Bubble Beach was one of our first stops for a half-day in Soufriere and is a nice stop all by itself but also close to other historical landmarks and local attractions. If you visit early in the morning or around sunset, you can see the fishing boats coming in and going out from the docks. This area supplies roughly 40% of the island’s seafood!

Bambooze Sulfur Baths is a must-visit, in my opinion. This manmade hot springs is different from others I’ve gone to because the pools are infused with minerals like sulphur from the surrounding volcanoes. Soaking the afternoon away here was so relaxing, it made me good for nothing for the rest of the day!

Lunch – I did drag myself to the Calabash Restaurant at Jungle Bay for a light lunch and rum punch, which was deliciously strong.

Between one day spent climbing the hilly roads of Soufriere, soaking in mineral pools, and the rum punch, I took one of those naps where you wake up and forget what year it is.

Read my list of the best things to do in Soufriere, Dominica!

Waterfalls and Champagne Reef

Middleham Falls Hike – I have zero pictures from this hike because it was also taxing. I don’t know if I was easier than the Perdu Temps or if I was just primed for it by then but it seemed slightly less arduous. Like hiking Perdu Temps, hiking to Middleham Falls also had a fabulous payoff.

We climbed to a stunning viewpoint of the waterfalls then scrambled down to swim in the pool at the bottom of the falls. One of those unforgettable experiences, for sure.

Champagne Reef is unique Dominica bucket list item that I recommend to anyone who goes to the Nature Island. The thermal activity on and around the island produces champagne-like bubbles in the water that are so cool to see and feel. Additionally, it’s simply a solid snorkel spot with colorful coral reefs and plenty of marine life to ooh and ah at.

Read my guide to snorkeling in Champagne Reef if you plan to pencil this activity into your vacation!

Bush Rum Tasting + Liming was the perfect way to end the day back in Soufriere. We tasted a variety of local Dominican rum flavors and Kubuli beer, which is brewed with fresh local spring water. And I learned how to play dominoes (no judgement) while listening to Dominican Creole music and ocean waves.

Touring the Capitol

Old Market of Roseau is closely tied to the history of Dominica as part of the transatlantic slave trade, enslaved people’s resistance, and local commerce. I throughouly enjoyed the sites, sounds, and smells and purchased lots of cooking goodies for myself and gifts for my family and friends here. It’s close to the cruise port and lots of other landmarks.

Roseau Botanic Garden might sound boring to some but I love strolling through botanic gardens around the world to get a sense of the local plant life. Though, Dominica has many more ways to do this than other destinations, so if you want to skip this you can.

Here’s a review of visiting the Roseau Old Market, including what to bring with you and what to buy!

Trafalgar Falls took significantly less effort to get to than Middleham Falls and I was so grateful. This site actually has two separately sourced waterfalls that flow near to each other and we even spotted a bush rabbit along the path up!

Kayak to Scott’s Head I ended the day kayaking with other hotel guests on a guided jaunt out to Scott’s Head at sunset. We also paddled through some water caves before weather made us head back.

Departure Day

Breakfast – One last meal before ending my Dominica island trip was a must and the Calabash Restaurant did not disappoint with a traditional Dominican breakfast and loads of fresh starfruit, pineapple, melon, and mango!

Checkout – I settled up with the front desk staff and bought a few items at the gift shop that I hadn’t found elsewhere like strong Dominica coffee, and exchanged my money then headed to the airport. It’s the convenience for me.

Remember how I mentioned that the airport is small and road conditions can get dicey? Yeah, make sure you leave extra time to get to and through the airport

Check out my Antigua & Barbuda travel guide to copy this part of the itinerary, too!

Dominica Travel Tips for Solo Travelers

In case you couldn’t tell, I had a blast in Dominica and it has been my favorite Caribbean island to date. This destination is not specifically marketed for solo travels but my experience was still amazing. I had zero concerns moving around a woman on my own.

I’ve raved about traveling solo to Dominica so much that nobody in my circle wonders is Dominica worth visiting? And now, I’ve hopefully indoctrinated you into exploring Dominica in 2025, too!

Read my advice for solo female travelers and apply it to any destination!

More Favorite Caribbean Destinations

Solo 5 Day Grand Cayman Itinerary

Turks & Caicos Solo Female Getaway Guide

Dominican Republic Multi-City Travel Guide

I hope my 7 days Dominica vacation itinerary helps you plan the best trip ever. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this solo Dominica travel guide for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!