Travel Information
Dominica is situated between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique located in the Eastern Caribbean Sea. One of the wonderful things about Dominica are its’ many rivers and beautiful greenery which cannot be mistaken; as it is notable called the nature Island of the Caribbean. There are a number of airlines that service Dominica’s airport ( Melville Hall Airport ) Located to the north east of the island, for those visitors arriving by sea, cruise lines and local ferry’s tie up daily at Roseau in the south and Portsmouth in the north of the island. Whether you choose to fly , stop off on a cruise or just pop over from one of the neighbouring islands you will find you are always welcomed with a smile on the nature island.
Airlines
Air Caribe, Air Sunshine, Seaborne Airline, British Airways, LIAT and International Charters.
Airport Development Charge
Effective 2011 travellers will be charged EC $40.00 for departure tax
Airports
Melville Hall Airport at Marigot is located 20 miles (72 mins ) south of Roseau the capital of Dominica and 15 miles (45 mins ) Portsmouth the second.
Automobile Rental
Cars, 4 wheel drive vehicles and scooters can be booked in advance through your travel agent or at the airports, hotels or car rental offices on the island.
Banking
Banks open Monday to Thursday, 8.00am – 2.00pm and Friday, 8.00am – 5.00pm
Churches
Almost 61% of Dominican are Roman Catholic. Other denominations include Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventists, Church of the Nazarene and Pentecostal. Times of services vary at individual churches, so it is best to request additional information from your hotel reception.
Credit Cards
Major international credit cards are widely accepted at all large shopping centres, restaurants, hotels, etc.
Crime
Crime in Dominica is very low in comparison with neighbouring island and may rank amounts the lowest in the world. We still advise all visitors and even our nationals that common sense should prevail when travelling abroad. Refrain from making large displays of wealth (such as wearing expensive jewelry, producing large wads of cash, etc.), avoid venturing into areas that may appear to compromise safety. Crimes of any sort should be reported to the hotel, the Dominica Tourist Board, and/or the Police.
Currency
The currency of Dominica Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar which is linked to the US Dollar at the exchange rate of 1 US$ to 2.70 EC$. US$ are widely accepted on the island.
Customs Regulations
Duty free shopping is available in the Capital of the island (Roseau) and at the departure lounge of Melville Hall Airport. Luxury items include Jewelery, Batiks, Giftware,Local Crafts, Liquor, Cigarettes and Cigars.
Departure Tax
Departure Tax of EC $40 (US $15) for all passengers over 12 years is applied to ticket prices at the time of purchase.
Domestic Travel within the Island
Minibuses serve as the main ground transportation medium for the island. These buses run up to varied times depending on the route one desires to ply. Buses from Roseau to Portsmouth, for example, run until around 6.00pm. However, there is no scheduled bus timetable. Bus fares for short stops or inter village travel varies about 1.50 EC to 2.00 . Car travel via the new West Coast Road from Roseau to Portsmouth takes about an hour. From Melville Hall Airport to Roseau takes around an hour.
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Electricity
220 volts, 50 cycles AC (a few hotels are 110 volts, 60 cycles). Most sockets take 3 pin square plugs (UK standard) but some take 2 pin round plugs or flat American plugs, which are more rare. Adaptors are generally available at the hotels and super-market.
Emergency Telephone Numbers
Police, Fire and Ambulance – Tel: 999. You may also contact the Dominica Tourist Board – Tel: +1(767) 448-2045.
Entry Requirements
Visitors must carry passports that are valid for six months prior to the completion of travel. Visas are not required where the visitor is a citizen of the USA or certain Commonwealth countries, or where there is agreement for exemption between the home country and Dominica
As of January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.
This information does not reflect important changes to the WHTI expected from pending legislation. We will update this page once that legislation has been finalized.
Visas
Foreign nationals intending to visit Dominica for business, pleasure or study are required to have a valid passport from their country and to obtain a Dominican visa*.
Geography
Our neighbors are Martinique to the south and Guadeloupe to the north of Dominica t. Both are visible on a clear day. The Commonwealth of Dominica had a population of 71,293 at the 2011 Census. The capital is Roseau which is located on the leeward side of the island. The island has a total of 751 sq km. miles.
Government
An independent democratic nation and part of the British Commonwealth.
Health
Immunization is not required unless coming from an infected area . It is recommend that vacationers be up to date on routine vaccinations such as tetanus and measles. Also, travelers are encouraged to receive vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio before leaving for Dominica. Drinking water is safe from the tap and bottled mineral/distilled water is also available. There are several pharmacies in Roseau, Portsmouth and Marigot.
Hospitals
In an emergency, call 911 – there are five medical facilities which are:
| Hospital | Telephone Number |
|---|---|
| Grand Bay Hospital | 767-446-3706 |
| Marigot Hospital | 767-445-7091 |
| Portsmouth Hospital | 767-445-5237 |
| Princess Margaret Hospital | 767-448-2231 |
Language
English is the official language, but Dominicans speak a French Creole commonly called Patois.
Ports
The main sea port is Roseau and many cargo ships anchor at Portsmouth. There is an additional deepwater anchorage for cargo and container ships at Fond Cole’ 5 mins away from the Roseau to the south .
Service Charges & Tax
On hotel and restaurant bills there is a Government tax of 15% (VAT). In some instances these charges are included in prices quoted, so it is best to clarify. The prices on labels in shops are what you pay.
Shopping
Local shops are generally open weekdays 8.00am to 4.00pm and on Saturday 8.00am to noon. There are a wide variety of shopping experiences from Roseau market, where local crafts are available.
Taxis
Taxis are easily available at taxi stands or by telephone. Fares vary by destination and nature of trip.
Telecommunications
Dominica has two very competent telecommunications providers namely Digicel and LIME. They both offer cutting edge technology and can both be contacted on island to secure needed services. Pre-paid mobile phone cards can be purchased islandwide for either provider.
Many card and coin public phone boxes are available around the island. Cellular phones are available for rent from either provider and more information is available at your port of entry or any tourist information centre.
Internet access is available at most shopping malls and at LIME and also at a number of internet cafes islandwide. Both domestic and international direct dialing are available in Dominica. Facsimiles are available through most hotels or through the LIME office in Roseau and Portsmouth.
The international dialing code for Dominica is 1 767.
Time
Dominica is 4 Hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.
Tipping
Tipping is not automatically added to bills. Tips are generally accepted by bell hops in hotels, taxis and other persons providing service.
Tourist Information
Tourist Information can be obtained from hotel front desks and the Dominica Tourist Board’s Information Centers and Information Centres at the airports .
Weather
Sub tropical climate kept mild by cooling trade winds make Dominica year round delight. From June to November be prepared for sporadic tropical showers.
Yacht Charter and Private Moorings
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