Social ConventionsCasual dress is normal. Evening clothes are informal but conservative. The Catholic Church is one of the most dominant social influences.
Photography: Visitors should ask before taking photographs of local people.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe main airline to serve Dominica is
LIAT (LI) (website:
www.liatairline.com.) Other airlines serving Dominica include
American Eagle (website:
www.aa.com), and
Caribbean Star (website:
www.flycaribbeanstar.com). There are currently
no direct, non-stop flights from Europe or the USA, mostly because the two airports are too small for jets. Popular routes from Europe are via Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique or Puerto Rico, then a local flight to Dominica.
Departure TaxUS$14. Transit passengers continuing their journey on the same day and children under 12 years of age are exempt.
Main AirportsMelville Hall (DOM), the older of the two airports, is approximately 64km (40 miles) northeast of Roseau.
Canefield (DCF) is approximately 5km (3 miles) north of Roseau.
Facilities: Snack bars, tourist information office, shops, left luggage and car hire.
To/from the airport: Taxis are widely available, but look for the uniformed taxi drivers who are trained and authorized. Buses are available from Roseau, and travel to all the major towns.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Woodbridge Bay, Roseau and
Prince Rupert Bay, Portsmouth.
Geest and several other island-hopping
freight lines stop in Dominica. Generally, passenger accommodation is comfortable but numbers are limited, so book well in advance.
L’Express des Îles, a scheduled ferry service, connects Dominica with Guadeloupe, St Lucia and Martinique on a 300-seat
catamaran.
Caribbean Ferries also operate regular services between Dominica, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
There is an EC$20 departure tax.
Cruise liners stop at Woodbridge Bay, 5km (3 miles) outside Roseau. There is a cruise ship jetty at Prince Rupert Bay, Portsmouth.
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into Dominica without incurring customs duty by passengers aged 18 and above:
200 cigarettes, one box of cigars or equivalent of tobacco products;
2l of alcoholic beverages;
tools for professional use; two bottles of perfume for personal use.Various plants including bananas, coconuts, coffee, avocados, animal products, paints, varnishes and chemicals. A license is needed to import firearms.
There is no allowance on gifts.
Internal Travel:Getting Around by RoadThere are more than 700km (450 miles) of well-maintained roads on the island and there is little traffic outside Roseau. Traffic drives on the left. There is a 32kmph (20mph) speed limit in towns and villages.
Bus: Services connect all towns and villages.
Taxis are efficient.
Car hire: Available (see
Travel – International section) but some roads can be difficult. Visiting drivers must be between 25 and 65 years old and have had at least two years' driving experience in order to apply for a local driver's permit; permits cost US$12 or EC$30 for three months. Jeep and minibus tours operated by local firms offer the best means of sightseeing; all vehicles chartered for this purpose must be hired for at least three hours; Reservation is advisable for better rates; Speed limits are 20mph on most roads.
Documentation: International Driving Permit recommended. A valid foreign license can be used to get a Temporary Visitor’s Permit.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from
Roseau to other places in Dominica.
| Road |
| Canefield Airport | 0.15 |
| Melville Hall Airport | 1.15 |
| Portsmouth | 1.00 |
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