Dominica: Culture, history and things to do

Explore Dominica’s Kalinago culture, colonial history, river journeys and volcanic landscapes.

Dominica’s cultural and historic sites sit alongside memorable ways to experience its rivers, coast and rainforest. This guide brings together places to learn about Kalinago life and the island’s past, as well as outdoor stops shaped by its landscape.

1. Dominica Botanic Gardens

   Things to do, Saint George

   Established in 1890, the Dominica Botanic Gardens pair indigenous plant life with island history. The aviary offers a chance to see the Sisserou parrot, and a school bus crushed by a baobab during Hurricane David remains on site.

2. Fort Shirley, Cabrits National Park

   Things to do, Saint John

   Fort Shirley’s restored barracks and cannon-lined ramparts tell the story of an 18th-century British garrison. Visitors can also learn about the 1802 revolt of the 8th West India Regiment.

3. Fort Young Hotel

   Accommodation, Saint George

   Roseau’s waterfront Fort Young Hotel is built into the stone walls of an 18th-century British fort. Cannons remain on its seafront terraces.

4. Indian River

   Parks & Nature, Saint John

   Licensed boatmen row visitors along the shaded Indian River, where herons, crabs and iguanas may appear on the banks. Guides share stories about the river’s wildlife and its appearance in Pirates of the Caribbean.

5. Kalinago Barana Aute

   Things to do, Saint David

   Kalinago Barana Aute introduces visitors to the Kalinago community through guided walks, craft demonstrations and performances. The site includes a karbet meeting house, a herbal garden and cascades at the Crayfish River mouth.

6. Morne Trois Pitons National Park

   Parks & Nature, Saint Patrick

   Morne Trois Pitons National Park encompasses volcanic peaks, crater lakes and rainforest. Its trails range from short walks to full-day hikes, with Boiling Lake, Freshwater Lake and the Valley of Desolation among its features.

7. Scotts Head Peninsula

   Things to do, Saint Mark

   At Scotts Head, a narrow pebble isthmus links the fishing village to a headland, with Atlantic surf on one side and the Caribbean on the other. The Kalinago knew the tombolo as Cachacrou.

8. Titou Gorge

   Things to do, Saint George

   At Titou Gorge, visitors swim through a narrow volcanic slot canyon to a small waterfall. The gorge also featured in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.