Dominica

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Quick Facts

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Capital

Roseau

Population

71,000

Government

Self governing part of British West Indies

Religions

Christianity (Catholic, Protestant)

Languages

English, Lesser Antillean Creole French

Calling Code

+1767

Nationality

Dominican

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Introduction

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Dubbed the "hiker's paradise", Dominica does indeed provide the keen hiker with a mighty array of fantastic opportunities. The island's vast unspoiled rainforest, its countless rivers and its amazing boiling lake are some of the island's on-land attractions. But while it may be the hiker's dream-come-true, many avid divers have found it equally appealing for its gorgeous underwater world. Reputed to be the finest place in the Caribbean to see whales and dolphins, Dominica also offers fine snorkelling around beautiful reefs where marine life is abundant. And since Dominica goes undiscovered by many tourists, it allows the traveller to have a unique and personal experience.

Brief History

Geography

Regions

Dominica is organised into 10 parishes.

• Saint Andrew Parish
• Saint David Parish
• Saint George Parish
• Saint John Parish
• Saint Joseph Parish
• Saint Luke Parish
• Saint Mark Parish
• Saint Patrick Parish
• Saint Paul Parish
• Saint Peter Parish

Cities

• Roseau, the Capital
• Portsmouth
• Scott's Head
• Calibishie

Sights and Activities

Morne Trois Pitons National Park

The Morne Trois Pitons National Park is the only sight on the island of Dominica that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The park consists of dense tropical forests and different volcanic features which are of significant scientific interest. The park is named after and centred around the 1342 meter high volcano Morne Trois Pitons. The park is just one big beautiful surprise of nature. There are steep slopes and deep valleys, over fifty fumaroles, hot springs, three freshwater lakes and apart from the Morne Trois Pitons, there are four more volcanoes. The park stretches for almost 7000 hectares, occupying a considerable portion of Dominica. Added to all that, it also has some of the richest biodiversity in the region and therefore presents a rare combination of natural features of World Heritage value.

Calibishie

The Calibishie Coast is one of a few places in the world where you can travel from the beaches to the rainforest within a few hundred meters. The area stretches from the beautifully rugged Pennville mountains, through the tiny picture perfect fishing village of Calibishie to the Marigot beaches. You will witness palm-fringed beaches, freshwater rivers with secluded bathing pools and many waterfalls. The rainforest is teeming with exotic birds and lush vegetation and most of it described above is all reachable within a days' walk.

Emerald Pool

Another delight of nature is the Emerald Pool, but try not to visit when a cruise ship has just entered the harbour, because it will be packed during these times. The Emerald Pool is named after its stunningly green setting at the base of a 12 meter high waterfall. The pool is deep enough for a swim and can be reached by walking through a rain forest of ferns and tall trees, full with birds and other tropical creatures. It's an easy but rewarding trip.

Other sights and activities

• Boiling Lake - a hard 7 hour return walk to the world's second largest actively boiling lake
• Scott's Head- nice village in the south-west of Dominica
• Indian River - river near Portsmouth
• Carib Territory - on the westcost, home to one of the few remaining Carib Indians that live in the area

Events and Festivals

Weather

Dominica has a tropical climate with generally hot and humid weather year round. Temperatures average around 31 °C during the day and 23 °C at night. Although rainfall is possible during most of the year, June to October is rainy season and from August onwards hurricanes are possible but not very common.

Therefore, the drier (and slightly cooler) December to April period is the best time to visit weather wise. Unfortunately prices rise sharply during this period and the months of November and May still have good weather. So budget wise these latter months may be a good option as well.

Getting there

Plane

Most international flights arrive at Melville International Airport (DOM), but Canefield International Airport (DCF) receives a steady number of flights as well. Canefield is near the capital Roseau while Melville is about an hour north.
There are no direct flights from North America or Europe so you have to switch planes on one of the other Caribbean islands. Airlines serving Dominica are Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) and American Eagle. Destinations are mostly within the Caribbean region, with hubs at Antigua and Barbados for example, although Dominica also has flights from the neighbouring islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique which is your best bet when flying from Europe, for example with Air France or Air Caraibes from Paris.

Boat

• Dominica - Guadeloupe vv

L'Express des Iles operates 3 weekly services between the islands of Dominica and Guadeloupe. They leave Roseau, the capital of Dominica on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 3pm (Sat. 1pm) and take about 2.5 hours. In the opposite direction, they leave the capital Point-a-Pitre in Guadeloupe at Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 8am (Sundays 10am) and take under 2 hours. Brudey Freres (french only) has services as well between the two islands on Mondays only (one in low season, two in high season).

• Dominica - Martinique vv

L'Express des Iles has 3 weekly services between Dominica and Martinique at 10.15am Wednesdays and Fridays and 12.15pm on Sundays, travelling between the capitals Roseau and Fort-de-France. From Martinique they leave on Mondays at 1pm and Saturdays at 11.30 am. It takes about 1,5 hours in both directions. Brudey Freres (french only) has services as well between the two islands.

• Dominica - Saint Lucia vv

L'Express des Iles has 3 to 5 weekly sailings between the capitals of Dominica and Saint Lucia, Roseau and Castries respectively. All of them stop on their route in Fort-de-France, Martinique (see above). Most boats leave around 10am and take about 4,5 hours to complete the total journey.

Getting Around

By Plane

Although Dominica has two airports, there are no flights between them, other than by chartered helicopters.

By Car

Renting a car generally is the best way to get around the island. Roads are well maintained although some roads in the hills and mountains can get slippery after rain. Most rental agencies are on the airport or in Roseau and both international and local agecies have cars. You have to be between 25 and 65 years of age, have at least 2 years driving experience and have an international driver's licence. You also need to buy a temporary local driving permit. Remember that driving is on the left side of the road on Dominica.

By Bus

Local buses are cheap and run regularly along the coastal routes between Roseau and both Scotts Head and Portsmouth. Less buses run during the evening and almost none on Sundays.
Otherwise, you can also get almost anywhere with a taxi. Rates are fixed by law and no tips are expected as a result.

By Boat

Although there are no regular passenger services, there are many tours that go out on the sea to watch whales, go diving and snorkelling or sea fishing.

Red Tape

People from the following countries can stay for up to 21 days without a visa:

Argentina, Belgium, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela.

Money

See also Money Matters

The currency of Dominica is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, or EC$. It has existed since 1965 and is used by 7 other states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States as well. Only the British Virgin Islands (the nineth member) doesn't use it, but uses the US$ instead. The EC$ is subdivided into 100 cents and has been pegged to the United States dollar at US$1 = EC$2.7 since 1976. The EC$ comes in coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25 cents and a coins of 1 dollar. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollar.

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

Dominica is not your typical Caribbean beach holiday destination and it caters much more to adventurous travellers, like divers and hikers. There are just a few beaches, several of which are covered with black sand.
There are however great places to stay, both in and near the capital Roseau as well as more inland and to the lusher east side of the island.
Here are some examples:

• Reigate Hall - Roseau
• Fort Young Hotel - Roseau
• Sutton Place Hotel - Roseau
• Garraway Hotel - Roseau
• Papillote Wilderness Retreat - Trafalgar
• Coconut Beach Hotel - Portsmouth, northwest of Dominica
• Sunset Bay Club - Batalie Beach, Coulibistrie
• Anchorage Hotel - Castle Comfort, just south of Roseau
• Castaways Beach Hotel - Mero
• Beau Rive - eastern Dominica
• Layou Valley Plaza - Dubique
• Habitation Chabert - Hatton Garden, Marigot, northeast of Dominica
• Roxy's Mountain Lodge - Laudat, central Dominica, great base for hiking
• Carib Territory GH - Carib Territory
• Calibishie Lodge - Calibishie, northeast of Dominica

Drink

Health

See also Travel Health

Safety

See also Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

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