Dominica's rainforest landscape features mountains, waterfalls, hot springs and over 300 rivers. It also has an extensive park system protecting its varied wildlife - including turtles that swim ashore to lay their eggs and rare parrots such as the green sisserou, which adorns the national flag
Taken from The Traveller's Handbook.
Dominica holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Dominica holiday, personal to you.
Dominica tailor-made holiday highlights
RoseauOne of the Caribbean's poorest capitals, but in a scenic setting backed by verdant mountains. Strolling through the quieter back streets can feel like stepping back in time. Jeep safaris and canoe trips into the hinterland can be made from here. The twin waterfalls of Trafalgar Falls are a short drive away.
Morne Trois Pitons National ParkImpressive rainforest reserve, encompassing much of Dominica's mountainous volcanic interior. The park is characterised by a beautiful cloud forest, while it also has a pretty little pool beneath a gentle waterfall, called the Emerald Pool. Another place of interest is the Boiling Lake, the second-largest actively boiling lake in the world.
Cabrits National ParkThe site of Fort Shirley, an eighteenth-century British fort that housed 600 soldiers. Scramble through the stone ruins, skirted by jungle. The former officer's quarters afford great views down over Prince Rupert Bay.
Carib territoryHome to the only remaining Carib Indians in the region. There are 3,000 on the island, their numbers dwindled dramatically in the seventeenth-century when disease arrived from Europe.
PortsmouthSecond city on the banks of Prince Rupert Bay. Columbus sailed into the bay in 1504. On arrival he named the island Dominica -meaning 'Sunday' in Latin - for the day when he spotted it.
The coastThere are plenty of beaches to choose from, including Woodford Hill, the classic white sand cliche, and the more rugged Londonderry beach - where the sand is black and the beach-combing is good. There are also some good dive sites, including Scotts Head Drop, a shallow coral ledge which drops to a depth of 50 metres, down a wall of tube sponge and soft corals.
People & place
Dominica facts
Capital: Roseau
Language: English.
People: Of African descent.
Religion: Mainly Roman Catholic. Protestant (15%).
Size (sq km): 754.
Population: 72,386.
Population density/sq km: 96.
Etiquette
Casual dress is normal, but swimwear is not worn on the streets in town. The Catholic Church is one of the most dominant social influences. Visitors should ask before taking photographs of local people.
Shopping
Hats, bags and rugs all made from vetiver grass and joined with banana strands.
Food & drink
Island cooking includes Creole and American dishes. Creole specialities include crabbacks (backs of red and black crabs stuffed with seasoned crab meat), lambi (conch) and tee-ree-ree (tiny freshly spawned fish). Locally made Bello Hot Pepper Sauce is served with almost everything. Island fruit juices combined with local rum are popular.
International Airports
No international but two main entry points, Melville Hall (DOM) 64 km from Roseau and Canefield (DCF) 5 km from Roseau.
Internal travel
Well maintained roads, car hire available, good bus and taxi services.
Red tape
Visas
(UK/US) None.
Vaccinations
Hep. A, Hep. B, Typhoid, Y. Fever2
Driving requirements
International Driving Permit recommended. A valid foreign licence can be used to get a Temporary Visitor's Permit.
Reps in UK/US
UK: 1 Collingham Gardens, London SW5 0HW, tel (020) 7370 5194/5, fax (020) 7373 8743, email highcommission@btconnect.com. US: 3216 New Mexico Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016, tel (202) 364 6781, fax (202) 364 6791, email embdomdc@aol.com.
UK/US reps in Dominica
UK: c/o Courts Dominica Ltd, PO Box 2269, Roseau, tel 448 7655, fax 448 7817. US: n/a.
Currency
East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents.
Finance
Most major credit cards and traveller's cheques accepted.
Business hours
0800-1300, 1400-1700 Mon, 0800-1300, 1400-1600 Tues-Friday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
Safe.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 72.17, F 78.18.
Useful websites for travel
www.discoverdominica.co.uk, www.dominica.dm, www.caribbean.co.uk.
Local media
All in English. Main papers are The Chronicle, The Tropical Star, The Independent Newspaper, Official Gazette.
Tourist boards
UK: Saltmarsh Partnership, Unit D, The Copperfields, 25 Copperfields Street, London, SE1 0EN tel (020) 7928 1600, fax (020) 7928 1700 email dominica@saltmarshpr.co.uk US: 110-64 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills, NY 11375, tel (718) 261 9615, email dominicany@dominica.dm.
Dominica tailor-made holiday ideas
Roseau
One of the Caribbean's poorest capitals, but in a scenic setting backed by verdant mountains. Strolling through the quieter back streets can feel like stepping back in time. Jeep safaris and canoe trips into the hinterland can be made from here. The twin waterfalls of Trafalgar Falls are a short drive away.
Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Impressive rainforest reserve, encompassing much of Dominica's mountainous volcanic interior. The park is characterised by a beautiful cloud forest, while it also has a pretty little pool beneath a gentle waterfall, called the Emerald Pool. Another place of interest is the Boiling Lake, the second-largest actively boiling lake in the world.
Cabrits National Park
The site of Fort Shirley, an eighteenth-century British fort that housed 600 soldiers. Scramble through the stone ruins, skirted by jungle. The former officer's quarters afford great views down over Prince Rupert Bay.
Carib territory
Home to the only remaining Carib Indians in the region. There are 3,000 on the island, their numbers dwindled dramatically in the seventeenth-century when disease arrived from Europe.
Portsmouth
Second city on the banks of Prince Rupert Bay. Columbus sailed into the bay in 1504. On arrival he named the island Dominica -meaning 'Sunday' in Latin - for the day when he spotted it.
The coast
There are plenty of beaches to choose from, including Woodford Hill, the classic white sand cliche, and the more rugged Londonderry beach - where the sand is black and the beach-combing is good. There are also some good dive sites, including Scotts Head Drop, a shallow coral ledge which drops to a depth of 50 metres, down a wall of tube sponge and soft corals.
