Wanderlust Caribbean - Adventure Travel Boutique Hotel

What an EPIC experience. My husband and I booked the 7-day Explorer Package this December, and truly our only complaint is that we wish we'd booked a longer stay. Tom and Sharie are an incredible couple; their passion for Dominica, adventure, and connecting with people (locals and guests alike) is undeniable and infectious. We also spent a lot of time hiking and snorkeling with Bam Bam, who is an amazing font of knowledge (and patience, haha -- we are not the fastest hikers). Although we ran into some unusually rainy weather that threw off a few plans, Tom, Sharie, Bam Bam, and everyone else we toured with made sure we still had loads of fun. We enjoyed a variety of hikes, some fantastic snorkels, explored the coast and beaches near Wanderlust, dined at several local establishments (where we had the freshest seafood and Tom literally knew EVERYONE -- and they were all so glad to see him/welcome us, making it all the more special) ... and we still ended up with a bit of time to soak up the view from our balcony and relax in our lovely room. Finally, I have to mention the food. We anticipated loads of delicious, fresh fruits and juices following our call with Tom, but that didn't prepare us for the absolutely UNREAL meals we had on property. Every breakfast had us laughing in disbelief -- we couldn't imagine it being better than the day before, but somehow, they just got more and more delicious. (Also, they're too humble to admit it, but we honestly found their rum punch to be the best on the island. And Sharie's coquitos! YUM!) That said, Tom and Sharie are the first to say this is not the vacation for everyone, and that's true. It's active, it's rugged, and while the service Wanderlust provides makes it feel luxurious, all the best stuff requires some effort. So, if you're looking for a "lay on the beach, sip a daiquiri" kind of vacation, this might not be it. But if you love being in nature, seeking adventure, meeting kind people, and eating fresh food ... well, you won't find a better place than Wanderlust Caribbean. We're already planning our return with a group of friends -- and we have SUCH a list of things we can't wait to do!

Staying at Wanderlust was amazing and allowed us to visit so many places around Dominica that would be completely inaccessible without the hotel’s guidance. Our hike to Victoria Falls was my personal favorite, and as an active 16-year-old it felt like a real adventure. The trail was nearly deserted and involved many river crossings and bouldering, which my family wouldn’t have the confidence to do without our local Wanderlust guide Bam Bam showing us the way. The falls itself were amazing and completely untouched by mass tourism or commercial activity, as we were one of only two small groups on the trail. The small group travel size (5–9 people) also allowed for a very personalized experience, which was great. Tom and his crew were very knowledgeable, capable, and hospitable, which added to the experience. The breakfasts every morning were tasty and filling to fuel the start to our daily adventure. Awesome and would totally recommend!

What a wonderful stay! Tom and team were truly amazing! Years of thoughtful curating experiences really showed, and our entire family benefited. The hikes were fantastic, and we were able to see much of the island many people don’t get a chance to experience. It’s rare to find such a knowledgeable and kind host, Tom is very genuine, authentic and a wonderful human being. I hope our travels bring us back again one day! I would rate it more than five stars if I could.

Where do I begin? Like many other reviewers, I'm a lifelong avid planner, but after a challenging year, I wanted to change things up and let someone else handle the details. Wanderlust Caribbean MORE than delivered.||From the moment we arrived and were greeted with their homemade rum punch (which my husband and I agree was the best we've ever had), a map, and an overview of the plans for the week, we knew we were in the right place. Tom and Sharie are kind, knowledgeable, inspiring, and their passion for this work shines through in every detail. ||Although an unusually rainy weather event prevented us from completing a couple of planned activities (canyoning and the last 1/3 or so of Boiling Lake), we had an absolute blast -- so much so that we're already planning to return (with friends!). Every day included the most delicious food, exploring via hiking and/or snorkeling or SUP, insights about the island/people/history ... there was never a dull moment. Some of the highlights included touring with Bam Bam; not only did he point out interesting plants and fruits during hikes, but while snorkeling, he dove down, pointed out fish and coral, then came up to tell us about it. We've snorkeled a LOT, but that was a first! ||When we did carve out a little downtime, we realized we could absolutely spend an afternoon sitting on the balcony of our charming room, gazing out at that view, with no problem at all. (Especially since we'd picked up some rum punch and fresh fruit to enjoy!)||We really appreciated the way Tom and Sharie approach bookings; when they schedule a call with you, they're truly making sure that what they offer is a good fit for you. This ensures that everyone there is on a similar, if not the exact same, page, and part of the fun was sharing these adventures with another guest.||If you're reading this and the other reviews and thinking, gosh, this seems too good to be true, you're not alone. We had the same thought. But after a week at Wanderlust Caribbean, we can say unequivocally that this is all absolutely true, and probably fall short of what the true experience is. We honestly can't wait to return -- this time, for a few more days. Once you see how much you get out of this trip, you'll understand that it's honestly a bargain. You're not only in a GORGEOUS, peaceful location (some of our favorite adventures didn't even require us to get in a car), but you get to do SO much -- without the stress of figuring out how to get there, where to park, how much to pay, whether you've chosen the best option, etc.

We had a fantastic stay at Wanderlust Caribbean and can’t say enough good things about our time there. Tom and Sharie were wonderful hosts and really make sure that everything runs smoothly, that folks are having a good time and have everything they need for a great week. The accommodation is beautiful, clean and comfortable with incredible views of the ocean and cliffs beyond. We loved having someone else do the driving and plan the fun group excursions. I particularly enjoyed the canyoning and the snorkeling, as well as the coastal neighborhood walk led by Tom. The food we enjoyed at the hotel was amazing and hats off to Sharie and her helper who made each meal better than the next! Dominica is a true gem of the Caribbean and I’m looking forward to another return.

My sister and I wanted to visit a country with a warm climate, where we could actively enjoy nature. We agreed that Dominica and The Wanderlust would meet our needs, and they sure did! Tom and Sharie are wonderful, compassionate hosts, and are well-respected throughout Dominica. The hotel is in a beautiful location, and our 2 BR apartment was clean, comfortable, and nicely decorated, with a gorgeous view. Tom and/or BamBam (an awesome person and guide) drove us around the island and led us on hikes through the jungle/rivers and on beautiful snorkeling excursions. The waterfalls and swimming pools are exhilarating! We also participated in canyoneering (gorgeous, but a little scary for me), soaked in hot sulfur pools, toured the local chocolate factory, and visited a fascinating permaculture farm. Tom was so accommodating and supportive when I had trouble keeping up with the group…thank you for coming up with solutions! Finally, the meals served at the Wanderlust were so delicious…kudos to Sharie and Kanishia! It was a vacation that my sister and I enjoyed immensely, and we’ll never forget the hospitality of our hosts and the Dominican people!

We stayed at Wanderlust the first week of February in 2025. Tom and Sharie are the most wonderful hosts. They support the local community, and everyone knows them. |If you are coming to Dominica, this is the place to stay. They feed you breakfast, pack you lunches on your adventures, and either provide wonderful dinners or guide you to the place to have a great dinner! We stayed at the two-bedroom apartment, which was the last available room. It was wonderful. It is very spacious, with great views and comfortable beds. We had a full refrigerator, coffee maker etc., but you don't need to worry about food as they provide great coffee and fresh juices each morning (I'm still dreaming about some of those juices!). They do accommodate special diets as well. ||We started our trip off doing the Boiling Lake hike, and that probably wasn't a good idea on our part as we had been traveling, and it took a couple of days to transition from the cold of Illinois to the humidity of Dominica. We are pretty athletic for some people in our early 50s, but we were worn out for the following days. If we had to do it again, we would probably do that excursion last, if possible. Regardless, you have options daily for your adventures, which is nice! The island is one of the most beautiful places, with mountains, volcanoes, and beaches. It's a hiker's paradise in the Caribbean! ||We loved how Tom, Sharie, or Bam Bam took us places daily. When we return, I'll bring gifts for Bam Bam, as he went above and beyond to help us along our adventures! Also, the local lady who made our food was terrific! We can't say enough. The food at the resort at night was delicious! ||We liked having the air conditioner in our room at night, as we are used to sleeping cool at home. We did have some issues with getting hot water, but Tom identified the problem while we were there and was working on getting it fixed. ||Unfortunately, we had to cut our trip short. I stumbled on a rock, and my hand fell into a sea urchin. (Stay away from rocks when you have your snorkeling gear off, and don't try to overdo it when you are tired.) Haha. (just make sure to purchase travel insurance as the hospital on the island isn't like the States, and for specific injuries, you'll need to head back home)||We can't wait to come back, though.. and plan on bringing friends or family!

Our family of 10 spanning 3 generations loved Wanderlust Caribbean! Tom and Sharie were the best hosts. The hotel is lovely with beautiful views. The fabulous hiking and canyoning activities were challenging and adored by the kids and grandkids (a bit too difficult for 80+ year olds). There are less challenging activities for grandmas and grandpas. The food was delicious - mostly fresh fish and locally grown fruits and vegetables. The people from Calibishi who were part of the "team" were skilled and a delight to know. If you are looking for an adventure vacation this is a fabulous place to go.