Roseau
Port of Call – Roseau
Key sights include the highest peak in Dominica, Morne Diaboltin, which towers 5,000 feet (1524 metres) above sea level, breath-taking views from a nature trail crossing Breakfast River Gorge on a suspension bridge, and plenty of whale watching opportunities. Dominica boasts more marine preserves, parks and forests per capita than any other place in the world.
Ships dock in the capital of Roseau at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth, which is located just a few steps from bars, restaurants and cafés as well as some fantastic shopping, markets, colourfully distinctive corner houses and museums.
Shopping in Roseau
The shopping areas of Roseau begin just within the cruise terminal on the Bayfront. The local fruit and vegetable market is legendary and rumoured to be the best in the Caribbean.
Best Buy:
Kubuli (Dominican-produced beer made from the island’s natural spring water)
Dining in Roseau
Guiyave – casual creole eatery.
Romance Cafe – Caribbean seafood restaurant on the beach.
Sunshine Cottage Restaurant – serving up the best pizza in Dominica!
Best Dish:
Traditionally cooked Creole seafood, and ‘Mountain Chicken’ (frog!)
Travel to Dominica
Climate in Dominica
Dominica’s tropical climate has plenty of sunshine, humidity and heat all year round; the island has an average year-round temperature of 81F (27C) and the seasons are not very distinct, with little temperature variation. Hot days are interspersed with frequent rain showers, which dampen the intense heat and nourish the island’s extensive rainforest. The island is very susceptible to tropical storms and hurricanes, usually between June and November.
Some say the best months in which to visit are February and May, as they’re safely out of the hurricane season and experience less rain. They can be very hot and humid, though. Others insist that despite the dangers of hurricanes, the best time to holiday in Dominica is between October and December, when the days are slightly cooler and less humid.
Health Notes when travelling to Dominica
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccinations are recommended for visitors to Dominica, and a yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for entry if visitors are coming from an infected area. For those travellers who will be eating and drinking outside of hotels and restaurants, a typhoid vaccination should be considered. Dengue fever is on the increase and visitors should take precautions against mosquito bites. Medical facilities on the island are limited, so health insurance with evacuation cover is recommended. It is advisable that visitors bring any personal medications they may need with them, and ensure they have all the necessary documents from their doctor to get the medication through customs. Food and drinks are safe to consume in hotels and restaurants, but it is preferable to drink bottled water.
Safety Notes when travelling to Dominica
Visits to Dominica are usually trouble-free, but visitors should be wary of petty theft and take sensible precautions with money and valuables.
Customs in Dominica
Islanders tend to be friendly and appreciate having their smiles and greetings returned. It’s also best that visitors only wear revealing outfits at the beach or poolside. Nudity on beaches is not acceptable, nor is haggling at the markets. Local attitudes towards the LGBT community are mostly conservative throughout the Caribbean.
Duty Free in Dominica
Items that may be brought into Dominica without incurring customs duty are 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, and 1 litre of alcohol. Any other goods or appliances for personal use are allowed.
Doing Business in Dominica
Business dress is smart, and meetings are formal. Office hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm with a lunch break between 1pm and 2pm.
Communication in Dominica
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 WiFi is available at some hotels. Travellers can purchase local SIM cards for unlocked phones.
Tipping in Dominica
A 10 percent service charge is usually added by hotels and restaurants but, if it has not been added, a discretionary tip of between 10 to 15 percent is acceptable for good service. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
Passport/Visa Note
All visitors require a return or onward ticket, entry documents for their next destination, and sufficient funds to cover their stay in Dominica. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if visitors over the age of one are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever, or have transited for longer than 12 hours in an airport located in a country with a risk of transmission. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passport have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry Requirements
- Entry requirements for Americans:
US citizens require a passport valid upon arrival in Dominica. No visa is required for a USA tourists for up to six months.
- Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadian citizens require a passport valid upon arrival in Dominica. No visa is required for up to six months.
- Entry requirements for UK nationals:
British citizens require a passport valid upon arrival in Dominica. No visa is required for a stay of up to six months for British passport holders.
- Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian citizens require a passport valid upon arrival in Dominica. No visa is required for up to six months.
- Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish citizens require a passport valid upon arrival in Dominica. No visa is required for a stay of up to six months.
- Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealand citizens require a passport valid upon arrival in Dominica. No visa is required for a stay of up to six months.
- Entry requirements for South Africans:
South African citizens require a passport valid upon arrival in Dominica. No visa is required for stays of up to six months.
Tourist Offices
Discover Dominica: +1 767 448-2045 or http://www.discoverdominica.com/en/home
Dominica Embassies
- In the United States:
Embassy of Dominica, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 364 6781.
- In Canada:
High Commission of Dominica, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 236 8952.
- In the United Kingdom:
High Commission of Dominica, London, United Kingdom: +44 20 7370 5194.
Foreign Embassies in Dominica
- American Embassy
United States Embassy, Bridgetown, Barbados (also responsible for Dominica): +1 246 227 4000.
- Canadian Embassy
Canadian Embassy, Bridgetown, Barbados (also responsible for Dominica): +1 246 629 3550.
- British Embassy
British Consulate, Roseau, Dominica: +1 767 275 7800.
- Australian Embassy
Australian Embassy, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (also responsible for Dominica): +1 868 822 5450.
- South African Embassy
South African High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for Dominica): +1 876 620 4840.
Public Holidays Around the World
Planning your year? Knowing public holidays in different countries can help you plan trips, schedule events, or understand global schedules. Below, find a comprehensive list of public holidays sorted by country.
