Dominica / Island Essentials

All travellers to Dominica will need to know the essential island facts.  The information on Dominica shown below is current (2011).

Currency/Credit Cards

The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), which is fixed at EC$2.67 to US$1.00. Prices may be published in either dollar currency, so it is worth knowing which you are dealing in. Travellers have a number of options when paying with cash in Dominica. In addition to the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, the United States Dollar and the Euro and are also widely accepted as currency, particularly by anyone connected to the tourism industry.

Check-In/Check-Out

As a general rule check-out times are around 12 noon and check-in is generally not prior to 3pm, during which time the rooms are made ready for new arrivals. Some properties may provide day rooms/shower facilities subject to availability, or may be flexible on check-in or check-out times by prior arrangement - you should make special arrangements at the time of booking. 

Getting to Dominica always involves a transfer and timings may be tight if you are making the connection on the same day. In case of delay, be prepared to leave your luggage behind at the point where you entered the Caribbean. Remember to take a change of clothes and a swimming costume in your hand luggage.

Departure Tax/Taxes

A departure tax is payable on leaving Dominica and is no longer included (as of 01 March 2010) in the cost of your airfare. Payment will be collected by officials of the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority at the airports and port on departure. The cost for non Caricom nationals is EC$59/US$22 (children under twelve years of age are exempt). 

A Value Added Tax of 15% applies for most services, but a reduced rate of 10% applies to hotel accommodation.

Electricity

The domestic electricity supply is 220-240 volts at 50 cycles. Some hotels have 110v so you are advised to bring a small transformer if required. Plugs are generally in United Kingdom style with three square prongs.

Embassies/Consulates

There are no foreign embassies or diplomatic missions in Dominica, however there are either honorary consuls or full political representation in Barbados. 

Canada 
Canadians can obtain consular assistance and further information from the Canadian High Commission in Barbados at Bishop's Court Hill, St Michael, Bridgetown, t 1 246 429 3550 bdgtn@international.gc.ca

United Kingdom British citizens can obtain consular assistance and information in Dominica from Tina Alexander the Honorary British Consul in Roseau, t 275 7800, justina.alexander-honcon@fconet.fco.gov.ukotherwise contact the British High Commission in Barbados t 1 246 430 7800, britishhc@sunbeach.net

United States 
The US Embassy in Barbados serves US Citizens residing in or visiting Dominica and is located in Wildey Business Park, St Michael. The Consular Section is open for American Citizens Services during regular office hours call t 1 246 227 4193 or email BridgetownACS@state.gov The emergency contact out of hours is t 1 246 227 4000 – please ask for the duty officer.

Emergencies

Police – 999 
Fire – 999 
Ambulance – 999 
Princess Margaret Hospital – 448 2231

Medical

Medical care on Dominica may be somewhat limited but there are several hospitals and clinics on the island in case you do need medical attention. Pharmacies are located in populated areas and visitors’ prescriptions can be fulfilled following consultation with a local physician. Several specialists and general practitioners operate private clinics on the island. 

Hospitals 
There are three public hospitals on the island, but the only one equipped for general surgery or an emergency operation is the Princess Margaret Hospital, t 448 2231 in Roseau. The other hospitals are the Marigot Hospital, t 445 7091 and Portsmouth Hospital, t 445 5237 

Vaccinations 
No special vaccinations are required to visit Dominica, unless you are travelling from an infected area. If in doubt please check with your GP. Visitors are recommended to check that their coverage for tetanus and measles is in date.

Nudity

Dominicans are quite conservative and any form of nudity is unacceptable, so there are no nude or topless beaches in Dominica. Also, beachwear, active wear, and revealing clothing should not be worn in areas such as shops, restaurants or on the streets in towns.

Places of Worship

All the main religious denominations are represented in Dominica and the church per se remains an integral part of life and society for many people especially in remoter rural areas. Small churches in various states of repair are scattered throughout the country and there are a handful of imposing edifices in Roseau itself which are well worth visiting, namely the St George’s Anglican Church on Victoria Street, built in Regency style in 1820 and destroyed by Hurricane David in 1979. Since then it has been enlarged and reconfigured and has an interesting old graveyard alongside.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Fair Haven on Virgin Lane was originally a thatched hut with timber posts and woven palm leaves, and metamorphosed into the dressed volcanic stone structure of today between 1800 and 1916. The style is Gothic-Romanesque revival with a stained glass window dedicated to Columbus, while the pulpit was actually constructed by convicts on Devil’s Island off Cayenne, French Guyana - an establishment enshrined in convicted murderer Henri Charriere’s book and the subsequent film, Papillon.

The Bethesda Methodist Church sits right next door to the cathedral on the corner of Virgin Lane and Cross Street, the close proximity resulting from May 1766 when King George III recognised the importance of the French plantocracy on taking over Dominica and granted 10 acres for a 99 year church lease. This became a freehold in 1865, except for two corner lots which had been sublet to Catholics, who then later converted to Wesleyan Methodism and made their lands available to the mission. 

St Theresa Catholic Church above the main west coast road at Salisbury is an attractive stone building from 1929 and recently renovated.

St Mark’s Catholic Church is a picturesque landmark near Scott’s Head in the south which has also undergone restoration. Visitors are welcome and kindly asked to contribute to the fund, t 448 2950.

Salybia Catholic Church on the east coast is in Carib Territory, it’s an unusual place with a canoe shaped altar and other traditional Indian artefacts and murals.

Holy Redeemer Retreat House in the mountain foothills at Eggleston near Roseau is run by the Catholic Redemptorists, who also organise retreats for non ecclesiastical groups, t 448 6776.

Service Charge/Tipping

Tipping for a good service is always appreciated and is regarded as the norm. In restaurants, VAT will be included in the price of your meal, but there are different policies on service charge, which may or may not be included. You may want to check whether service has already been included when you get your bill. If service charges are not included, you should tip 10%-15%.

In privately rented villas and apartments, service is generally not included so all members of staff including the ground staff should be tipped on your departure. Check with the local property manager for guidance.

Porters who help travellers with luggage at the airport or a hotel usually receive US$1 per bag by typical Caribbean standards

Time Zone

Dominica is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, which is four hours behind GMT (Britain in winter) and five behind Europe. During the winter it is an hour ahead of the eastern seaboard of the USA.

Dominica has no daylight saving time, so when the clocks go forward in summer in the northern hemisphere the island is five hours behind Britain, six behind Europe and on the same time as Eastern Standard Time in the USA.

Water

Tap water in Dominica is safe to drink, as it is in the upper stretches of many of the myriad rivers but bottled water is still a major business and available island wide in shops, bars and restaurants. The favourite brands are Loubiere Spring Water, Morne Trois Pitons and Nature’s Water so take plenty with you if hiking.