Roseau among top eight Caribbean towns

Street in Roseau

Dominica’s capital, Roseau, was named among the top eight Caribbean towns by CNN and Lonely Planet.

A feature, which looked at towns across the Caribbean, was published on the websites of both organizations on the weekend.

The feature was described as follows: “Life’s not always a beach. The Caribbean may win hearts for its white-sand beaches on perfect turquoise coves and high-end villas with moored yachts, but there’s another part of the story: its towns. Some have histories that predate the Pilgrims, cobbled centers that gaze out at the water and enough attractions to justify carving a day or two away from those perfect stretches of sand.”

Roseau is seventh on the list. The following was written about Dominica and Roseau : “The Caribbean’s most unique island – the last to be colonized, the most mountainous of the Eastern islands – Dominica is sometimes seen as the ‘anti-Caribbean’, considering its lack of sandy beaches or flashy resorts. Unsurprisingly perhaps, visitors often consider it the friendliest. And because it’s so small – just 29 miles by 16 miles – you can set up in its lively capital of 15,000 residents living in cute stone-and-wood historic homes, Roseau (ROSE-oh) and day trip to waterfalls and open-air hot spring pools in the rainforest, or beaches with snorkeling spots that bubble like champagne from offshore volcanic vents (it’s safe). The best day trip involves a tough six-hour hike up to reach the Boiling Lake; it’s best done with a guide. There are no direct flights outside the region; the best gateways to Dominica are via Antigua, Sint Maarten or Barbados on American Eagle or LIAT.”

The other towns are San Juan, Havana, Willemstad, Jacmel, Cockburn Town, Santo Domingo and Oranjestad.

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66 Comments

  1. Proud Dominican
    March 28, 2012

    I am always representing my country. I have no problem telling ppl that I’m from Dominica when they ask where my beautiful accent is from. I was born a dominican and I will always be a dominican. Respect de Nature Isle!!!! Much Love DA. Proud to call u home!!! :-D

  2. Dominicalivingin US
    March 27, 2012

    Yes, Dominica may need a little facelift, we must look on the bright side Dominica is finally getting the exposure it needed. let us embrace it and look on the positive side, remember not only Dominican read these comments think of the message we are sending out to the world. when we talk down on our beautiful island.

  3. trax
    March 27, 2012

    I totally agree wit you on the points that were raised. In fact roseau has the potential to be the number one with proper development of existing resources.

  4. lisad
    March 27, 2012

    I dont understand why people who call themselves dominicans can express such distasteful comments when something positive is said about their country. some Dominicans are very unappreciative and only seem to give thumbs up to the doom and gloom of the country.Say what you all want but dominica is still the sweetest.

  5. simply blessed
    March 27, 2012

    Roseay, the best town everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

  6. tutunee
    March 27, 2012

    i hope they wasnt being sacarstic,, hehehehe :-D way to go roseau>>

  7. CLARKE
    March 27, 2012

    THEY SAY ALL U CAN SEE IS BUSH BUSH AND MORE BUSH IN D/A BUT UNDER ALL THIS BUSH LIES THE TRUE BEAUTY.WAY TO GO D/A ALWAY PROUD OF U.DOMINICAN TO THE BONE

  8. Tiger
    March 27, 2012

    Who was the judge of that contest, Stevie Wonder?

    I have travelled thoughout the Caribbean and I must say, Dominica is one of the most beautiful islands (if not the most beautiful). But Roseau is a different story. So the judges did not see all those old buildings with rusting galvanized roofs? All the old abandoned buildings? And the broken sidewalks? And the buildings that have not been painted in 100 years?

    I might get 100 thumbs down, but nobody can convince me that Roseau makes the top 10 most beautiful Caribbean towns. At least not from what I have seen in the other islands.

    • Had a laugh!
      March 27, 2012

      Well you sure have me cracking. Could not help but laugh. Lol

    • Zuma
      March 27, 2012

      Tiger please put a knob in it.

      have you ever heard of the the RUSTIC?, maybe that WAS ONE OF THE ELEMENETS THE JUDGES WERE LOOKING FOR AND ROSEAU FITTED THE BILL.

      • Tiger
        March 27, 2012

        Not rustic, rusty.

    • Malgraysa
      March 27, 2012

      They obviously missed out Pond or Silverlake. I don’t know who was the tourguide but they obviously did a good job. Reminds me of Rosie Douglas’ visit to N. Korea all these years ago and singing the praises of that country on his return.

    • Tiger
      March 27, 2012

      Just you you guys understand how screwed up that contest was, I was in Cockburn Town, Grand Turk about two months ago and I did not see anything that even resembled a town. Grand Turk is one dry desolate little rock in the middle of the Atlantic. I saw more donkeys roaming freely than people on that little island.

      When they said this was one of the top towns in the Caribbean, I knew this was a joke contest. The only good thing about Cockburn Town (and it is not even in the town proper) is the Magaritaville where I drank my belly full of expensive Budweiser and frolicked in the pool.

    • TheDiva
      March 27, 2012

      When was the last time you were in Dominica. I was just there at the end of February…looks like there have been amazing improvements to me.

    • simply blessed
      March 27, 2012

      Tiger? who are you, really.

    • forreal
      March 27, 2012

      but that is what they mean,beauty because of how it looks,you dont get it,they are not looking for them fast pace towns,just check the places they pick to show you,old san jaun,curacao for its colorfull looks,cuba still original,that is the attraction,just check it out good.

      • Justice and Truth
        March 27, 2012

        @ forreal

        There is a lot of poverty in Cuba. Visitors to Cuba are not allowed to really see what it is like, i.e., the poverty and no doubt run-down buildings. They only see the resorts and beautiful areas.
        I suppose they were referring to the beautiful sceneries as in Dominica.

    • Anonymous
      March 28, 2012

      u most be from haiti ah tiger

  9. pouxy
    March 27, 2012

    Roseau would be NO.1 if only they bwould fix the PARKING PROBLEM.How about an elevated parking lot across Roseau River?

    • TheDiva
      March 27, 2012

      There have been provisions made for parking. Funny enough, its elevated across from Roseau River.

  10. Peacock Proud
    March 27, 2012

    Ay ay I’m proud.That’s great. Congrats. At least we have a positive side displayed in the US that which the gays have tried to eradicate with their twisted story. Take that Gay men!

  11. AmazingFace
    March 27, 2012

    SMH, anyway, some of us Dominicans really putting the H in HYPOCRITE eh!!!. Couple days ago a whole bunch of you all on here were ASHAMED to be called Dominican because two gay men broke our laws.

    Today all of you smiling and happy, “proud to be Dominican” because we came in at 7th place in some article CNN and Lonely Planet cooked up.

    Our perception is really SKEWED. Why do we wait for other people to VALIDATE us??? SMH.

    • Anonymous
      March 27, 2012

      you are so right. Keep see-sawing between whichever master speaks louder at any point in time.

    • hmmm
      March 27, 2012

      my dear u hit the nail on the head. from where i sit, that is what is humiliating. Not what two gay men had to say about us AFTER THEY BROKE OUR LAWS!

    • LawieBawie
      March 27, 2012

      Don’t generalise!! I was angry that those gay men broke our laws but even then I was and still remain a very proud Dominican!!

  12. My2Sense
    March 27, 2012

    I sure am proud of Roseau but I hope this report doesn’t cause us to become complacent. While the town may have scored high in this test, we should not lose sight of the fact that we could do a lot better in our capital city.

    We scored high here because of this list’s criteria – towns that are somewhat non-traditional and/or historic. Roseau fits that bill to the T, but our basic infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, standardized buildings, parking facilities, waste management, etc) leaves a lot to be desired.

    Other nuisances such as strays dogs, derelict vehicles (in the environs of Roseau) and vagrants (commonly referred to as “paros”) also bring down the value of our beautiful city.

    So while we praise ourselves, let us also take stock of our shortcomings and make moves to change them.

  13. Mahaut.
    March 27, 2012

    Lets build better infrastructure in Roseau. We do not need more American style restaurants. The city still looks like it was in the 1980’s. Pottersville, Lagon and the River Streets area needs a face lift.

  14. Phenomenal Woman
    March 27, 2012

    Finally some positivity for our country…lets move on from there.

  15. apache.
    March 27, 2012

    i am dominican,but honestly i never liked roseau and never will.everywhere in DA but not roseau.

    • Anonymous
      March 28, 2012

      u most be from marigot or deep country maybe thats why only time allu does come roseau is shopping day lol\

  16. Observer
    March 27, 2012

    Boy ….. I feel so good today as a Haitian citizen just by seing one of my home towns (Jacmel) placed among the best of the Caribbean! We are not what they always say we are.
    God is in control.

  17. yep
    March 27, 2012

    not all you nuh that were worrying about the spin of some gay , forgetting all what your country had to offer and still does even after that melee!

  18. March 27, 2012

    AS A BORN DOMINICIAN AM ALWAYS PROUD OF MY COUNTRY AND HEARING THIS GOOD NEWS BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES BRAVO DOMINICA AM COMING BACK TO MY ROOTS.

  19. Josette
    March 27, 2012

    Good tings a gwan. It pays to uphold our laws, customs and mores. America upholds theirs, for instance, a woman cannot breast feed her baby in public but in Dominica she can. Let’s keep it so, nice job.

  20. Ostrich
    March 27, 2012

    I am always proud to be Dominican no matter what the story is good or bad I will defend my people and my country to the very bitter/sweet end. I LOVE YOU DOMINICA AND FELLOW DOMINICANS.

  21. Richards
    March 27, 2012

    They were looking at the preservation of historical features and history not overall development. Don’t you see in the same breath that they indicated “no direct flights to and from the destination outside the region”? Roseau has been disregarded therefore, underdeveloped. This city of ours needs allot of work to really look like something. Thought there were more than 15,000 people living in Roseau.

  22. March 26, 2012

    Sorry but today I must release the vyay ole DA ways! Roseau I from, Roseau I raised. 5th street is where the carnival is, ball heads I eat, music I play music I hear, river I go and bathe, sea I go and swim, presbetry and government yard I thief mango, convent, wesley and smss I tackle woman, peebles park I take a foot, bayfront I lime. I live with me mother, my granny next door, max and dem in the yard, ak and black down bath road, limere down the street, kill klown living by my uncle and whole night is dominoes!!!! When I want to free up or when I feeling sick I check the rasta for the good herbs, not just cess nuh, awa! veh vehn tea, tabak zombie, sulphur for my skin, hibiscus to wash my locks, as long as zootie doh bite me. I don’t know why I left my jerusalem and go and live babylon. Jah live in Dominica! And everytime we mess up Jah does just send a tropical storm to humble us.

  23. Gr8
    March 26, 2012

    The layout is great but the streets sidewalks and the dilapidated buildings are negatives.

  24. Anonymous
    March 26, 2012

    After reading the article and reading these positive blogs for Dominica reinforces that I am not crazy to love and appreciate my country as much as i do. I want to warn those Dominicans
    both here and there who are so critical about
    Dominica that for us to appreciate what we have
    we nee to travel visit and live in another country
    to apreciate what we have.People who visit seem to
    appreciate Dominica than many of us.So let us work
    together and do whatever we can to help make it
    better for all of us

  25. Roseau
    March 26, 2012

    Boy, Respect my city!!!!! Forget about Tarish pit, blue blue and New town, Roseau is where it’s at!!

  26. lucian/ dominica
    March 26, 2012

    bravo . bravo . c my island looking how beautiful
    .just pray for unity and ask jesus to walk on d/ca more often.skerrit and ministers b honest to the people and the island of dominica mix with the locals poeple try finding out what they need…u know skero the local poeple can give you great advise.

  27. me
    March 26, 2012

    always knew my Roseau despite all its flaws was one of the best towns in the region we have a better layout than tons of the other towns in other islands! Lets go DA

  28. Justice and Truth
    March 26, 2012

    Dominica must be among the top eight because I was born and brought up there to adulthood. :lol: :lol: :lol: I continue to be proud of DA.
    I noted in the article mention was made about wooden houses. How long ago was this report prepared? Obviously, they may not have gone to Goodwill and upper Goodwill, upper Belfast and other areas with some beautiful, modern concrete houses. Some of those houses look like mansions.
    What sets Dominica apart is non-sandy beaches/not enough of them. However, as much as I admire those other countries, I would not trade beautiful Dominica, the Nature island for them.
    This reminds me that once when I visited DA I stood in my parents’ home, in the kitchen. A mountain could be seen in the background. Viewing the scenery and admiring it I blurted out, “This is so beautiful.” My mother asked, “What is?” I told her the mountain and scenery are beautiful. She replied: “You never saw it before.” Back to reality, I laughed. :)
    Well, there are times we forget our beautiful country with its sceneries especially when we reside overseas.
    Dominica has it all. There is none to compare.
    What DA needs now are repairs to the roads in Roseau and also the culverts should be covered that people do not fall in them and break an ankle, arm or leg. I know of a DA national on a visit some years ago who broke her ankle in Roseau. Due to this her visit was not an enjoyable one. Those streets and culverts need to be repaired.
    During carnival celebrations people have to be careful that they do not get hurt. I do think that it is high time that the government do something about them.
    This is what Alwyn Bully should concern himself with rather than change the date of carnival. If he wants more visitors to DA then ensure that the streets are repaired. Streets that are not repaired make Roseau, the primary place and visit for also tourists, look terrible and poor. He should lobby the government for this repair to make Roseau look (more) beautiful and welcoming.

    • Realist
      March 27, 2012

      And what is wrong with wooden houses?

      We Dominicans dont yet understand the uniqueness of what we have. Concrete houses in the suburbs of Goodwill etc may be ‘modern’ but they are boring. You can see them anywhere.

      However historic Roseau houses of wood and stone are charming and full of character. That is what gave us the rating. The overhanging verandas of King George V Street, the cathedral, the old post office, the Botanic Gardens, the Public Library and its grounds. These and more make Roseau special. And yet over the years so many times people have talked about tearing them down etc.We have no aesthetic appreciation.

      Hopefully such awards will make us look again at what we have and how we can promote it.

      • Justice and Truth
        March 27, 2012

        @ Realist

        You missed my point. Re-read my comments. I was not referring to the quaint buildings with the verandas. They are beautiful in themselves. They should not be demolished but only repaired if they are in need of repairs. Yes! They should be considered historical buildings. Generally, historical buildings as also the Library are unique. They could be improved for wider space but not demolished. I do appreciate beauty.

      • Genuine Realist
        March 27, 2012

        Hey dude this name (REALIST) is already taken by someone else. You are free to assume another handle to avoid confusion. I still agree with your comment though

    • lorenzo
      March 28, 2012

      how many countrys have black sand peoples its a natural wonder to have black sand on the beaches

  29. justice
    March 26, 2012

    I am very proud of my country and I am pleased that we are recognize. It’s not always about sky Scrapper and high end resorts. Sometimes u got to admire the simplicity of life. DA I LOVE U JUST THE WAY U R. Keep it simple keep it sweet. Whoever want. it high speed will have to move out

  30. March 26, 2012

    wow cnn did the damage control for us… so ya’ll see no biggie here… arrest all those who break our laws and keep d.a beautiful….

  31. Postich
    March 26, 2012

    Roseau looks so good from afar. The view from the morne or a cruise ship. It’s a different beast at ground level.

    • Richards
      March 27, 2012

      You are so accurate. Well said my friend.

  32. malabu83
    March 26, 2012

    Good job Roseau and the people of Dominica.

  33. forreal
    March 26, 2012

    well i have been to san juan,if roseau is held in that same self esteem as san juan,as a highly regarded destination,then i am very proud,being a born and bred roseaunian and all :) shout outs to roseau massive,and all dominican people, looks like if they cannot fly in,they will swim in to find us lol.

  34. Realist
    March 26, 2012

    Hmmmmm it seems that exposuree from this gay boat melée is starting to pay some dividents. :-D

    • Nou Nou
      March 26, 2012

      Hehehehehe boy allu u Dominicans bad!!! Mag way sah

    • Anonymous
      March 27, 2012

      Do you really think an article that was published on Friday has anything to do with that crap. Use you common sense

  35. Sisserou
    March 26, 2012

    Positive indeed!!!!

  36. Mate
    March 26, 2012

    I love this article. This is so true! Dominica, my beautiful Caribbean Island! I LOVE YOU!

  37. jaun mahaut
    March 26, 2012

    beauty at its best…best place in the world :) :mrgreen:

  38. Amanda
    March 26, 2012

    Proud of my beautiful country !!

  39. Ras
    March 26, 2012

    If you look close enough, you’ll see me standing on a roof.

  40. real possie
    March 26, 2012

    I would like to be a fly on prevost wall to hear what he have to say when he read this.What ever his name is.

    • Richards
      March 27, 2012

      They were looking at the preservation of historical features and history not overall development. Don’t you see in the same breath that they indicated “no direct flights to and from the destination outside the region”?

    • Anonymous
      March 27, 2012

      y? everything a us magazine say is law the dge i wonder by what standards the judge,a city without proper side walks no toilets stagnant water dog droppings everywhere? ah boi :-| :-|

      • lisad
        March 27, 2012

        You did not read the criteria. Some of you think is skyscrapers, people hustling and bustling that make a city beautifulwe have rare beauty

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