Dominica
Where to stay
Rosalie Bay Resort: Low-rise "eco-boutique" resort. Includes 28 spacious rooms, with fine meals and well-planned daily activities around the island. During high season (March to mid-September), rooms start at $188 for a garden view or $299 for an oceanfront view (Rosalie, Dominica; 1-800-831-9249; rosaliebay.com).
Secret Bay: Six eco-friendly villas and bungalows tucked into a palm forest overlooking a cliff on the ocean, with beaches. Rooms run $450-$1,300 a night (Ross Blvd., Portsmouth; 1-767-445-4444; secretbay.dm).
Where to eat
Islet View Restaurant and Bar: Inexpensive open-air restaurant that serves fresh fish and chicken, banana bread, plantain chips and local beer (Castle Bruce; 1-767-446-0370).
Diane's "Free D" Place: Fifty feet from the beach where small, colorful open fishing boats are launched. Eat outside and watch the street life of this small community unfold, then stroll out to the half-hour climb at Scotts Head.
What to do
Waitukubuli National Trail: 115-mile trek runs along farms, coastlines, waterfalls and steep forest (1-767-266-3593; waitukubulitrail.com).
Kalinago Barana Aute: A reconstructed settlement by the island's indigenous Caribs. The cultural center offers historical tours, musical performances and native foods in an exquisite coastal setting. A site pass and tour start at $10 (1-767-445-7979; kalinagobaranaaute.com).
Cabrits National Park: The protected site overlooks the Caribbean and features a restored garrison from the 18th century. The park also includes rain forest and wetland habitats, and coral reefs (http://bit.ly/1hEkWsN).
