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Dominica Facts
- Religion:: top
Mainly Roman Catholic but many Protestant denominations also represented.
- Etiquette: top
Don't swim or sunbathe topless on Dominica. It's not considered good taste, nor should you wear swimsuits on the street or in public areas off the beach.
- Currency:: top
Eastern Caribbean dollar; US$1=EC$2.68; US$ widely accepted
- Telecommunications:: top
The international dialling code for Dominica is +1 767 followed by seven digits. On the island, use the seven digits alone.
- Entry Requirements: top
A valid passport and onward/return ticket are required for stays of up to 21 days. US and Canadian citizens may use proof of citizenship with photo. French nationals may use a Carte identite for stays up to two weeks
- Business:: top
Banks are open Monday to Thursday, 8am-3pm, and 8am-5pm on Fridays. The main banks are National Commercial Bank of Dominica, Barclays Bank PLC, Royal Bank of Canada and Bank of Nova Scotia. Shops open on weekdays from 8am-4pm with a break for lunch. Saturdays 8am-1pm. Some payment card acceptance.
- Animals: top
Animals may enter if accompanied by a valid veterinary health certificate plus an importation permit from the Veterinary Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, Botanical Gardens, Roseau. Their offices are open Monday to Thursday 8 AM-3 PM, Friday 8 PM-5 PM.
- Credit Cards: top
Most hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies and tourism facilities accept most major credit cards and traveler's checks.
- Weather: top
Annual rainfall in Dominica varies considerably, from 50 inches along the coast, to over 300 inches in the interior. There is generally a dry season between January and June, with the wettest months being August to October. The peak of hurricane season is late August/early September. Semi-tropical - average temperatures 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit; dry season from March to June and rainy season from July to October. At other times, sunny days with a possibility of a shower or two!
- Cuisine: top
Our cuisine is like our history and culture, an exciting blend which draws heavily from our Creole past.
Tropical fruits and vegetables are in abundance, and not surprising for an island, our range of seafood is second to none!
- Clothing: top
Lightweight and casual, with a light sweater for cool nights in the mountains. Swimwear is restricted to the beaches. When hiking, walking shoes and raincoats or anoraks are recommended in the rain forests.
- Area:: top
290 square miles (751 square kilometres).
- Tourism Offices: top
DOMINICA
Division of Tourism
National Development Corporation
P.O. Box 293
Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica
Tel: (767) 448-2045
Fax: (767) 448-5840
UNITED KINGDOM
Caribbean Tourism Organization
Suite 315, Vigilante House
120 Walton Road
Victoria, London SW1V 1JZ
Tel: 1 (71) 233-8382
Fax: 1 (71) 873-8551
UNITED STATES
Caribbean Tourism Organization
20 East 46th Street
New York, NY 10017-2452
Tel: (212) 682-0435
Fax: (212) 697-4258
- Tipping: top
Tipping is generally on a discretionary basis; many hotels and restaurants will add a 10% service charge. Hotels will add an occupancy tax levied by the government of 5%. Sales tax of 5% will be added to your restaurant bill.
- Water: top
The water is safe to drink. However, bottled spring water is available everywhere.
- History: top
Columbus sighted the island on Sunday, November 3, 1493, but the island had been inhabited by Caribs from around 1000 AD, giving the island the name Waitukubuli which meant 'Tall is her body'.
The British fought the French over control of the island several times in the 1700s before gaining control in the early 1800s.
- Political status:: top
Independent nation, member of the Commonwealth. Democratic by periodic election - proportional. Dominica was granted independence by Great Britain in 1978.
- Postal Charges: top
Letters: EC$.90 (US$.35) to the U.S. and Europe.
Postcards: EC$.55 (US$.21) to the U.S. and Europe.
- Hospitals: top
Grand Bay Hospital (767) 446-3706
Marigot Hospital (767) 445-7091
Portsmouth Hospital (767) 445-5237
Princess Margaret Hospital (767) 448-2231
- Marriage Requirments: top
Both parties must be on the island at least 15 days prior to application. Each will require proof of citizenship - passport and birth certificate, proof of divorce if applicable (final divorce decree), and a copy of spouse's death certificate if you are a widow or widower. Same sex marriages are not performed.
- Departure Tax: top
Reserve US $20 or EC$50 in cash for paying your departure tax at the airport.
- Golf: top
There are presently no golf courses on the island besides a miniature one.
- Diving: top
The diving off Dominica is as rich and varied as it topside attractions, from volcanic vents spewing bubbles and hot water, to submerged volcanic craters with dramatic vertical walls, and gently sloping shelves of coral and sponge.
- Taxes: top
A 7.5% sales tax is levied on food, drinks and merchandise. There is also a 5% room tax on hotel and other chargeable short-term guest accommodations.
- Legal System: top
Based on British Common Law - ultimate right of Appeal to the Privy Council in London
- Camping: top
Camping is not allowed in any national park, and generally not encouraged on the island.
- Sunset/sunrise: top
Just 15 degrees north of the equator, Dominica enjoys a tropical climate, and a sunset and sunrise that varies by little more than a hour in the year. Around December, sunset is about 5:30pm; in the summer it's about 6:30pm.
- Ferry Services: top
In close proximity of both Guadeloupe and Martinique, it is not surprising that fast catamaran ferry services are available. Scheduling is another matter and is best checked a day or so before traveling.
- Birds: top
Over 130 species are found in Dominica.
Jungle Bay Resort and Spa:
Jungle Bay Dominica - Holistic Holidays - Rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit with yoga programs, our health spa, nature hikes, waterfalls and all of Dominica's natural beauty ... |
Pepper's Cottage: Roseau
Pepper's is a furnished two bedroom cottage, namely Complete & Cozy. Both rooms include Air-Condition, Cable Tv and your own Bathroom with Hot Shower ... |
Calibishie Lodges:
Calibishie Lodges is a retreat with typical Caribbean charm, nestled in a friendly village on the North-East of Dominica, next to the Caribbean sea ... |
Tamarind Tree Hotel:
The Tamarind Tree Hotel is a pleasing middle class hotel featuring nine double rooms (17m2) with bathroom (3m2) and 12m2 of commun porch with ocean view. Each room is equipped with either one ... |
Castaways Beach Hotel & Resort: Roseau
Castaways Beach Hotel on Dominica in the West Indies has Caribbean style cottages or a deluxe beach front rooms for your accommodation while you explore the real Caribbean ... |
Fort Young Hotel:
Fort Young Hotel is Dominica's leading hotel. On the edge of a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, cradled in the beauty of Dominica's mountainous landscape and a few minute's walk from the centre ... |
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Hodgesview Cottage: Carribean
A private retreat with a full kitchen and 2 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Enjoy relaxing on the porch watching the sun rise over the ocean or dive the reef in front of the house ... |
Stonedge: Salisbury
Hotel build in tropical forest wood, reception desk looking like the jungle. Pirate bungalows ... |
Harony Villa: Pont Casse
Harmony Villa, Dominica’s very Exclusive Vacation Villa is an ideal Rainforest Retreat on the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica. This 4 bedroom 4 1/2 bathroom Holiday Home is an inspiring ... |
Anchorage Hotel & Dive Center: Roseau
Superior casual tourist class hotel established in 1971 by the Armour Family. Perched over the tranquil Caribbean Sea just one mile south of our capital city, Roseau, and only minutes away from most ... |
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