Dominica Travel Guide

Dominica — Travel Tips

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Social Conventions

Casual 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 Air

The main airline to serve Dominica is LIAT (LI) (www.liat.com); American Eagle also flies to Dominica (www.aa.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, St Lucia, Guadeloupe or Puerto Rico, then a local flight to Dominica.

Passengers can also arrive in Dominica by boat from Martinique, Guadeloupe and St Lucia.

Departure Tax

EC$55 (US$20). Transit passengers continuing their journey on the same day and children under 12 years of age are exempt.

Main Airports

Melville 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.

To/from the airport: Taxis are widely available, but look for the uniformed taxi drivers who are trained and authorized. Authorization is evident from circular disks on the vehicle's windscreen, issued by the Discover Dominica Authority. Buses are available from Roseau, and travel to all the major towns.

Facilities: Snack bars, tourist information office, shops, left luggage and car hire.

Getting There By Water

Main 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.

Cruise liners stop at Woodbridge Bay, 5km (3 miles) outside Roseau. There is a cruise ship jetty at Prince Rupert Bay, Portsmouth.

Duty Free

Overview

The 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.

Note: There is no allowance on gifts.

Prohibited Imports

Various plants including bananas, coconuts, coffee, avocados, animal products, paints, varnishes and chemicals. A license is needed to import firearms.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the left. Roads are well-maintained in and around Roseau, but total just 700km (450 miles). Traffic is scarce outside Roseau. Jeep and minibus tours operated by local firms offer the best means of sightseeing.

Bus: Services connect all towns and villages.

Taxi: These are efficient, and Taxi rates are set by law and therefore taxi drivers do not expect tips.

Car hire: Available, but rural roads can be tricky to navigate.

Regulations: There is a 32kmph (20mph) speed limit in towns and villages. 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.

Documentation: International Driving Permit recommended. A valid foreign license can be used to get a Temporary Visitor's Permit.