There’s a feeling in Dominica right now — a quiet surge, a subtle hum of momentum that you can sense in the air as soon as you arrive at Douglas-Charles Airport.
The first three months of 2025 tell the story: Dominica welcomed 24,321 stayover visitors between January and March, a 9.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
It’s a sign of growing interest in a destination that remains one of the most naturally stunning and refreshingly authentic in the Caribbean.
Why It Matters
Dominica has long been a different kind of Caribbean experience. It’s not about mass tourism or mega resorts — it’s about rainforest hikes that lead to boiling lakes, waterfalls that plunge through jungle canopies, and steaming natural hot springs tucked into riverbanks (yes, we’re talking about Wotten Waven).
This year’s growth points to a quiet transformation, including the major new route that just stated in February on United Airlines out of Newark (a flight that takes about 4.5 hours), complementing service on American Airlines out of Miami that launched back in 2021.
Dominica’s visitors are changing, too. More travelers are arriving in search of digital detoxes, yoga retreats, diving expeditions, and carbon-light itineraries. The island’s community of boutique hotels — from treehouse-style villas to upscale ecolodges — is drawing a different kind of traveler: slower-paced, more intentional, and deeply curious.
What Dominica is doing right now is carving out a niche that feels both timeless and timely — and as the 2025 high season unfolds, the island seems poised to push that growth even further.
Where to Stay on the Nature Island Right Now
Secret Bay
Tucked into the cliffs above the Caribbean Sea, Secret Bay is one of the most acclaimed hotels in the region — a collection of treehouse-style villas with plunge pools, private chefs, and design that melts into the rainforest. It’s a place where luxury is measured not in glitz, but in silence, seclusion, and soul. From your villa deck, you can see parrots flying at eye level and hear nothing but waves and birdsong. Rates at $991.
Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort
In the heart of Roseau, Fort Young has become Dominica’s go-to for travelers who want the comfort of an all-inclusive without leaving town. Built into an old coastal fort, it pairs historic architecture with a dive-forward, adventure-centric approach. You can spend your morning chasing waterfalls, then return for cocktails on the seafront deck before a locally-sourced Creole dinner. This isn’t just a base — it’s a gateway to the island. Rooms starting at $289.
InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa
Set between the ocean and a national park, this resort brings global polish to the wild northern tip of the island. It’s the kind of place where you can start your day in an infinity pool, then hike volcanic trails by midday. With multiple dining concepts and a spa nestled into the landscape, it offers a sleek, low-profile complement to Dominica’s untamed terrain. Rooms starting at $360.
