Situated in the capital of Roseau, the Botanical Gardens provide a delightful respite from the inten

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The island of Dominica is located in the Eastern Caribbean between the Islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. Much confusion abounds with the similarity of its name to the Dominican Republic but this little island stands columbia hotel london alone as a sovereign republic, 29 miles long and 16 miles wide.
Dominica is an expanse of luscious green mountains, rainforests and criss-crossed with clear flowing rivers and has rightly earned the title of ‘The Nature Island’. It’s an ideal location for families who want a low-key vacation, adventure and the opportunity to get back to nature. But since you won’t find luxury resorts with pools, water sports and all-inclusive kids clubs you may just wonder what on Earth to do with your family. Let me shed some light on our favourites…
Going to the beach may seem like a no-brainer for a vacation in the Caribbean. However in a region marketed primarily by long stretches of golden sands and turquoise waters, Dominica is an anomaly with black volcanic sands and rocky coastal terrains. But the rumour that Dominica does not have good beaches is simply not true. Your family will have a great time exploring any of the quiet beaches around the island. Our favourite beaches are along the West Coast of the island, primarily: Mero, Coconut Beach and Purple Turtle. All have restaurant facilities nearby.
Hiking columbia hotel london is one of Dominica’s signature experiences and while you may not want to tackle the entire Waitukubili National trail (14 segments which converse the island) with your 5 year old in tow, you can still take a walk in the midst of nature with the little ones. Three very easy hikes even for young children are:
A gentle hike for 10-15 minutes brings you to the viewpoint for the beautiful columbia hotel london twin waterfalls. More adventurous families can take a hike up to the waterfalls themselves on a dry day but a guide is essential for this part of the journey. There are also warm sulphur columbia hotel london pools to dip in so take your swim suit.
There are many other hikes that children can go on depending on their level of fitness. I know that children as young as 8 years old have tackled the arduous Boiling Lake Hike which can take up to 8 hours round-trip! Be sure to use guides for the hikes as they will be able to navigate the terrain and help the kids.
Parents Tip: Emerald Pool and Trafalgar are highly popular attractions columbia hotel london for cruise ship visitors and I don’t advise you go there when there is a cruise ship in town. Unless you happen columbia hotel london to be on that cruise ship of course!
Soak away any stresses with a dip in the hot pools of the Roseau Valley. Natural mineralised hot water bubbles from the core of the Earth and several local businesses in the small village of Wotten Waven have channeled this rejuvenating columbia hotel london water into an array of pools for bathing in.
Walk down a sloping columbia hotel london garden landscape to three bathtubs of flowing hot water, a cold shower and a pool. The tubs are especially great for young children as they can be emptied to a low level and parents can relax. You can also explore another part of the land to find the waterfall and mud bath.
Ti Kwen is a small family run business that keeps itself intentionally quiet so that each visitor can enjoy a serene experience. Quite often I’m the only one there with the children and they can splash and jump to their hearts content while I unwind in a hot tub – it’s a perfect combination!
I call this the ‘party hot water’ due to the fact that it plays a selection of reggae music throughout the day and is highly popular with most visitors. We usually go there for play-dates and birthday parties. The selection of pools at Screws is quite incredible with hot and cold pools of varying sizes and temperatures all hand-crafted out of stone. On departure from the site a plate of seasonal fruits is served, encouraging the kids to delve and try healthy local snacks.
At Tia’s you will find hand-built columbia hotel london rustic accommodation in the form of the ‘Bamboo Cottages’ along with a restaurant and selection of hot water pools for bathing. Tia’s has the advantage of two covered pools for rainy days and one of these is especially made for wheelchair access.
Parents Tip: Try these baths at the end of the day and afterwards the kids will sleep so easily and well! If you will be driving back to your accommodation, give the children an evening snack before the journey and watch them fall asleep. Transfer them softly to bed and cue romance for Mum and Dad
Okay you’ve done the beach, you’ve done the hot springs, now combine the two for double the pleasure at the Beach Bubble Spa. In the southern village of Soufriere just behind columbia hotel london the church is a small path that will take you to the beach. Hot sulphur water trickles from the beach area and combines with the salty Caribbean Sea for a uniquely warm sea bath. A local entrepreneur has recently begun developing the area by placing rocks in the sea to create a safe and shallow pool which is particularly suitable for children. He has also built changing rooms, organised a neatly sculptured beach environment and is currently building a small bar. In exchange for the services he merely asks you to put a donation in the box – sweet!
Situated in the capital of Roseau, the Botanical Gardens provide a delightful respite from the intense heat of town. Here you will find ample space for ball games, hide and seek, running around and picnics. Children particularly love the ‘Bamboo House’ – a circular ‘building’ made from intertwined bamboo. The gardens are home to the selection of captive parrots so they can be seen close up if you don’t spot them at Syndicate Rainforest (see Hiking section, above)
The botanical gardens are also the starting point for the ‘Jacks Walk’ trail which is a step-by-step climb to the top of Morne Bruce to watch panoramic views of the city and coastline. It’s a slightly sweaty journey that will take about 45 minutes – 1 hour round trip but I’ve taken a 3, 4 and 10 year old before and all of them managed the journey there and back down.
Parents Tip: Be aware that the botanical gardens columbia hotel london is also used as a thoroughfare for vehicular traffic throughout the day and is particularly busy between 1-2pm and 4-5pm. Don’t let kids run out on to this road at any time.
Dominica is supposedly a land of 365 rivers. Even if there are not exactly that many, there certainly are enough pristine rivers to bathe in. Since rivers run all over the island it would be futile to give you a list. Simply ask your hotel or tour operator in the location you are staying for a recommendation. columbia hotel london Do be aware that the river water is COLD so try to go when the sun is shining over the area for the most enjoyable experience. Take a picnic and enjoy a day at the river.
Parents Tip: Please take precautions with rivers and ensure that small children have flotation devices attached at all times and do not stray off into any fast currents. Avoid all rivers after heavy rainfall.
columbia hotel london Scuba Divers exalt Dominica as having one of the best underwater environments in the world. Whilst young children may not be ready for deep-sea adventures, non-diving families can still explore the exotic aquatic environment by snorkeling. One of the best places for snorkeling is Champagne Beach in the south of the island which is a designated columbia hotel london Marine Reserve. There is a small charge to enter this beach and the shop at the entrance will collect this fee whilst also offering snorkel equipment for hire and snacks for purchase. Champagne is a very rocky beach but thankfully there is now an elevated wooden walkway that leads to various segments of the beach.
As well as swimming in the rivers you can also take a boat trip on the Indian River. This gentle row-boat tour generally takes 1-2 hours round-trip with a stop at the bar at the end of the river. Fans of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ will see where parts of the movie were filmed.
Cobra Tours are a well-respected company for this excursion and you can contact them through the website: www.cobratours.dm However you can also turn up spontaneously to the river and are sure to find a number of willing guides with boats to take you up on the river.
Known as the ‘whale-watching capital of the Caribbean’, most Dominican whale-watching operators boast of an 80% success columbia hotel london rate at sighting whales and/or dolphins on their tours. This is a half day excursion with the majority of boats leaving in the afternoon for a 4-5 hour round trip. I recently went with my 3 and 4 year old and if they can do it, anyone can! I’m sure older children will be able to appreciate the trip even more and will be less of a handful to entertain and keep safe on a deep sea boat. You can view our whale watching v