Language: English is the official language. The local people speak a Creole patois.
Currency: The official currency of
Dominica is the East
Caribbean Dollar (XCD), which is fixed to the US dollar at a rate of EC$2.67 to US$1. US Dollars, the Euro and the British Pound are also usually accepted on the island, but change is given in EC dollars. Travelers checks and money can be exchanged at major hotels and at the bank. Banks open from 8am to 2pm Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 4pm on Friday. Major credit cards and travelers cheques are accepted by most businesses, but not small
vendors and there are several ATMs attached to banks in the capital,
Roseau, which dispense EC Dollars.
Time: GMT -4.
Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. The
United Kingdom style plug with three flat pins is used. Round three-pin plugs with ground are also used. US visitors will need adapters and transformers for their appliances.
Communications: The international access code for Dominica is +1, in common with the US,
Canada and most of the Caribbean, followed by 767. Telephone services are excellent and there are public telephones all over the island. Calling cards can be purchased from a variety of local shops, the post office, or at the offices of
Cable and Wireless in Roseau. A GSM 850/900/1900 network is in operation and unregistered roaming is available for credit card holders. Handsets can be hired. There are Internet cafés in Roseau and visitors can also access the web at the offices of Cable and Wireless and at some hotels. The main post office is in Roseau.
Duty Free: Items that may be brought into Dominica without incurring customs duty are 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars and 2 liters of alcohol. Any other goods or appliances for personal use are allowed.
Getting Around: The public transport system is fairly reliable, and consists of private minibus operators. Fares are standardized and cheap, with bus stops at designated points across the island. Buses are scarce at night. Taxis are freely available, identified by the letters H, HA, or HB preceding the numbers on the number plates. Fares are reasonable. It is easy to rent a car, but drivers must be aged between 25 and 65, and will have to buy a local driver's license at a cost of US$12 (must have two years' driving experience to qualify).
Tourist OfficeDivision of Tourism, Roseau: +1 767 448 2045 or www.dominica.dm
EmergencyEmergencies: 999.
Embassies
Embassy of Dominica,
Washington DC,
United States: +1 202 364 6781/2.
High
Commission of Dominica,
London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7370 5194/5.
United States Embassy,
Bridgetown, Barbados (also responsible for Dominica): +1 246 431 0225.
British Consulate, Roseau: +1 767 448 7655.
Canadian Embassy, Bridgetown, Barbados (also responsible for Dominica): +1 246 429 3550.
South
African High Commission,
Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for Dominica): +1 876 978 3160.
