As Dominica's capital city, Roseau is the major port of entry for the island, whether you're flying in or coming by cruise ship. While the city's compact downtown area is great for shopping, dining, or just taking a stroll, many travelers skip over it in favor of destinations further afield.
Inland from Roseau, the village of Laudat is the gateway to the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Dominica's main attractions. Laudat is only about a 25-minute drive from Roseau, so most people don’t stay here, though there are a few accommodation options for those who wish to spend the night.
A short drive inland from Roseau, the tiny town of Wotten Waven draws in travelers with its numerous hot springs pools. The baths here are fed by sulfur-rich geothermal waters heated by the Wotten Waven Caldera, one of nine active volcanoes on the island.
At the northern tip of Dominica, the Cabrits Headland juts westward into the Caribbean. To the north is Douglas Bay, and to the south, the charming town of Portsmouth. Canvassing the entire peninsula is Cabrits National Park, a 1,313-acre (531-hectare) area of pristine tropical jungles, wetlands, and coral reefs.
Situated in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Freshwater Lake—aka Warmae Letang—is the largest lake on the island. It's the headwaters of the Roseau River and is a popular spot to visit if you want to see Carib hummingbirds in their natural habitat.
Located behind the Dominica Museum in Roseau, this atmospheric covered market along the seafront sells fresh fruits, spices, handmade knickknacks, and typical tourist souvenirs and t-shirts. Carrying a history of over 300 years, the market was the setting for important political meetings, the center of the island’s colonial slave trade, and where executions were carried out.
Known as one of Dominica’s most beautiful stretches of white sand, this Caribbean beach is north of the town of Portsmouth. Purple Turtle Beach is a great spot to swim, sunbathe, or take in the sunset (it faces west and features golden-hued sands flecked with black and water that’s crystal blue.
