Dominica: The Best Kept Secret in the Caribbean

The Caribbean is synonymous with hedonism — from the mass tourist Mecca of the Bahamas to the off-the-beaten-path divers’ paradise of Bonaire. What you might not know about the Caribbean, however, is that it’s also home to one of the most appealing — and inexpensive — expatriate and retirement havens in the world. This little-known gem, though off the well-trodden path taken by most travelers, has a lot to offer. So if you’re longing for the good life in a tropical haven, duck the crowds and head to Dominica.

With no direct flights from North America or Europe, Dominica is welcome retreat of peace and quiet in the Caribbean’s sea of mass tourism. Roughly halfway between Martinique and Guadeloupe, the island is splendidly underdeveloped. A land of waterfalls, rivers (365 of them), hot springs, and lush rain forests, Dominica is the Caribbean’s most rugged isle. Instead of luxury resorts and long stretches of crowded white sand beaches, you’ll find volcanic mountains, intimate beaches, little-explored reefs and small hotels.

If you think that living in the Caribbean full- or part-time is a luxury only the rich and famous of the world can afford, think again. Unlike most of the Caribbean’s islands, which cater to tourists and the high-end market, Dominica’s prices are refreshingly down-to-earth. For example, right now you’ll find:

A beautiful private 1.7-acre lot with ocean views for only $37,000, and a 1/2-acre lot with ocean views located only 15 minutes from the airport: asking price: $50,000 (located just an hour from the capital), both perfect places for your dream home (which can be built for as little as $24,000-$40,000).

A 4-bedroom fixer-upper overlooking the ocean for $97,000 or a stunning 3200-sqare foot home with 4-bedrooms and 3.5 baths on 1/4 acre lot with ocean views for $229,000.

A 2.15-acre riverfront lot with cocoa, coffee, grapefruit and bamboo trees on the property waiting for your dream home for $105,000.

A nice 2-bedroom home with fruit trees (pineapple, avocado, etc.) on the property, close to beaches and waterfall can be yours for only $100,000 or best offer.

A fully-furnished 2-bedroom, 1-bath starter home renting for $562 a month, with stove, refrigerator and a comfortable hammock for relaxing on the patio. Only a 15-minute drive to the capital.

Outside of the costs, there are other reasons to consider Domnica, including:

Fishing…snorkeling…diving in the ocean…swimming and bathing in or any of the hundreds of area rivers, waterfalls and natural hot springs…and exploring lush tropical mountains and valleys as beautiful as anything you’ve seen anywhere in the world.

Exotic cuisine and some of the best seafood in the world for as little as $5 per person. You can have a variety of downright cheap fresh fruit juices and the best rum in the Caribbean for prices starting at $4 a bottle (a big one).

First-class communications: residential telephones and cell phones are reliable and high-speed Internet access is readily available.

Peace and privacy! This place has no enemies, good international relationships, some of the world’s strictest banking secrecy laws, and is almost crime-free.

Long stays as a tourist without bothering with fussy immigration, straightforward residency requirements and relatively simply process for obtaining citizenship and a local passport.

Easy-going and friendly English-speaking neighbors, and small, intimate hotels, restaurants and bars.

All this makes little-known Dominica well worth investigating.