We like to go out to dinner at night, explore towns, go hiking. So Dominica sounds good. Is it safe for our son to go to town at night? Any recommendations on places to stay near town or within walking distance? Dive operators?
Any help would be appreciated. We have also dived Grand Cayman and enjoyed it as well.[/QUOTE]
Hi Lin,
I've been to Dominica twice and heartily recommend it. (Do a search on this board and you'll see my comments in detail). But it's not all things to all people...The diving is excellent; among the best I've done in the Caribbean. The hiking IS the best I've done almost anywhere (and I've done plenty), if you can handle very steamy, wet rainforest hikes. The island is Lost World beautiful with breathtaking mountain vistas, dense, lush rainforest scenery and rivers/waterfalls galore.
But "going out to dinner at night" or going "to town at night", I wouldn't be so enthusiastic about. Dominica's capital, Roseau, is quite rustic, other than a few buildings along the quayside. The island as a whole is not (or was not as of my last visit two years ago) set up for tourism to any extent. There's crushing poverty among many of its residents.
That said, though, I found Dominicans to be almost universally friendly and accomodating and never threatening. If you want to try to get the best of all worlds, you may want to stay at the Fort Young hotel,
http://www.fortyounghotel.com/
a somewhat "upscale" establishment (in comparison to others on the island) right on the edge of town, from which you guys and your son could easily stroll into town. How much you'll find going on there at night is a different story although, again, my visit there predated what I understand to be substantial cruise ship traffic in recent times that may have spawned more tourist infrastructure.
I dove both times with Dive Dominica
http://www.divedominica.com/
and found the operation to be very pleasant, with comfortable boats, good briefings and divemasters willing to find the "good stuff". They were not, however, into babysitting mode and expected divers to take care of themselves. Dive Dominica operates out of the grounds of the Castle Comfort hotel which they own. It's about a 15 minute walk from town along a pretty funky, narrow sidewalk on the main road. The Castle Comfort is basic but very comfortable with home-cooked island-style food served communally on the porch.
Hope this helps.
Best Regards,
