Location: Roseau
Top Things to do in Roseau
The 9 Best Things to Do in Roseau, Dominica
Roseau (Dominican Creole: Wozo) is the capital and largest city of Dominica, with a population of 14,725 (as of 2011). It is a small and compact urban settlement, in the Saint George parish and surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, the Roseau River and Morne Bruce. Built on the site of the ancient Kalinago Indian village of Sairi, it is the oldest and most important urban settlement on the island of Dominica.
Restaurants in Roseau
1. Middleham Falls & Ti Tou Gorge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 373 reviews
Reviewed By Mark B
What a great hike!! The approximately 1.5 mile hike to Middleham Falls begins at the small parking area with pavilion and bathrooms. The hike begins immediately with a fairly long ascent (about 600' in elevation gain). The trail passes a private residence and crosses several creeks. The hike traverses a beautiful rainforest with some very large bulletwood trees (Manilkara bidentata). When you get close to the falls, you pass by a very steep volcanic escarpment. The waterfall is beautiful and, at 275', is the tallest waterfall on the island. A small pool at the base of the falls is inviting but fair warning--the water is about 68 degrees F!
Titou Gorge is located in a completely different place, not sure why it is listed together with Middleham Falls. The gorge is located at the base of the hike to the Boiling Lake. The water in the gorge is also very cold (68 degrees F) but the gorge itself is so beautiful!! I cannot stand cold water but I braved it in order to swim into the gorge. You can swim about 400' or so into the gorge until you get to a small waterfall and the water pressure is too great to keep swimming further. Don't miss the chance to see this--brave the cold water!!!
2. Papillote Tropical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
Wander through the Papillote Tropical Gardens. Flowering jade vines of an unbelievable shade of blue, huge pink or red ginger blossoms, aroids, begonias, bromeliads,ferns, indigenous orchids and heliconias form sumptuous compositions to tempt artists, botanists, gardeners and photographers. Frogs and other creatures live contentedly with 30 kinds of bird and 19 species of butterfly amongst hot and cold Waterfalls and soothing hot mineral pools.
Reviewed By MalcolmWoolston
After visiting the falls Papillote was the perfect place to relax and get something to eat. The scenery was outstanding and it really was like being in an island paradise, relaxing and truly mesmerising. If you eat in the restaurant try to get a table at the back overlooking the Gardens. Here you can enjoy traditional island fare whilst enjoying some of the best views of the island. I will be revisiting for sure.
3. Champagne Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 464 reviews
Reviewed By Gregg B
We had a rather slow day chasing and swimming with the Sperm whales so stopped here on our way back to the marina/hotel. The geothermal activity is very close to the surface here so you get bubbles. Our guide told us that as a young man they would catch fish and dig holes in the beach. The heat would cook the fish in the sand. The snorkeling is OK, the reef is OK. Worth a visit if you're staying on the island and have the time.
4. Mero Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 187 reviews
Reviewed By Jesse M - San Rafael, California
Staying in Mero is a great experience, very friendly people and good food at Romance cafe. The beach is always kept very clean and there are plenty of small Cabanas if you need a little shade. The bay is easy to swim in with a very small shore break and great views of the Caribbean sea.
5. Morne Bruce
Overall Ratings
4 based on 89 reviews
A wooded mountain with sweeping panoramic views at its higher elevations.
Reviewed By Halkidis - Naantali, Finland
We took a taxi(private tour) from Roseau Cruise Port and first stop after city was Morne Bruce. Great views overlooking city, our ship and sea. Few kiosks/stalls selling beverages, souvenirs etc. too . Definitely worth of stop and few pics if you have a car/taxi
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 336 reviews
The forty acres of garden include orchid trees, bottle palms, the Carib Wood tree and an unidentifiable no-name tree.
Reviewed By trescomania - Hampshire
The plants were lovely, but not well labelled. It would have been nice to have a guide. The school bus was interesting - flattened during a hurricane - miraculously, it was empty at the time. Dominica looks a lovely island, but we couldn't get to see a great deal as there were no trips on offer.
7. Waitukubuli Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By Madalyn H - Huddersfield, United Kingdom
The National Trail is a great innovation by the local tourist authorities, and regrettably was significantly damaged by Hurricane Maria. Whist short sections have been restored it is unlikely that any significant and continuous lengths will be open again until the 2018/19 hiking season. Before planning a holiday around the trail we recommend checking the status carefully with the tourist authorities/local accommodation providers
8. Old Market Square
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 74 reviews
A historic cobbled square often crowded with vegetable vendors.
Reviewed By charlesthebarles - wilmington, NC
Roseau's waterfront and the area surrounding Old Market Square are colorful and authentic--probably the least spoiled capital city left in the Caribbean Islands. (There is no vulgar gated cruise port at the harbor with obscene chain stores like Diamonds Intl, Columbian Gems, etc.) We found the compact and low-rise cityscape to be wildly varied with architecture ranging from old wood structures with filagree balconies to the no less decorative cement buildings ubiquitous in the Caribbean...all maintained to various degrees. Some Dominicans set up tents under which to sell their wares while others put merchandise on tables out on the irregular sidewalks (where they existed). People were very friendly, and we bought a number of souvenir items like T-shirts, mugs, and hats after some mild bargaining. But our experience with the native crafters was that they were proud, unwilling to negotiate, and we had to respect that. Since we found Roseau to be one of only a few port cities on our 15-island cruise where the emphasis wasn't on crass commercialism, it earned a *very* special place in our hearts.
9. Roseau Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
This museum highlights the island's cultural and natural history.
Reviewed By CherylandBrett - Simpsonville, South Carolina
We enjoyed the short climb of stairs to the museum and spent just under an hour. Well worth the $3 per person fee. Lots of history from British rule to now, interesting display of the volcanic activity, and some original furniture. The poor Victor phonograph needed to be restored. Too bad we weren't staying longer!
