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Getting
There
Air Travel
There are no nonstop direct flights to Dominica from
the mainland US or Europe, mainly due to the fact that
the airports (there are two) cannot accommodate jets.
Connections with local carriers are readily available
from nearby island gateways such as Antigua, Barbados,
Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St, Maarten and St.
Lucia. These gateways are served by international carriers
including Air
Canada, Air
France, American
Airlines, BWIA,
British
Airways, Continental
and Lufthansa.
The Melville Hall Airport is on the northeastern coast,
almost diagonally across the island from the capital,
Roseau, on the southwestern coast. Melville Hall is a
1 1/2-hour taxi ride from Roseau, a drive that takes you
across the island through the forest and coastal villages;
the fare is $18 per person when there are four passengers.
On your own, the fare could be $50.
The newer Canefield Airport is about a 15-minute taxi
ride north of Roseau. The 2,000-foot airstrip accommodates
smaller planes than those that can land at Melville Hall.
From here, the typical taxi fare into town is $15. There's
also a public bus (with an H that precedes the number
on the license plate) that costs only $2 per person; buses
come every 20 minutes and hold between 15 and 18 passengers.
For many from the U.S., the easiest way to reach Dominica
is via the daily American
Eagle flight from American's hub in San Juan.
From Antigua, you can board one of the five daily LIAT
flights to Dominica. Another possibility would be to fly
via St. Maarten. From there, LIAT
offers one nonstop flight daily and two other daily flights
with intermediary stops.
You can also fly to Guadeloupe and make a connection on
Air Guadeloupe, which has two flights a day to Dominica
except on Sunday, when there is no morning flight (flying
time is 30 minutes). If you're in Fort-de-France on Martinique,
you can take a LIAT flight to Dominica.
Ferry
L'Express Des Iles is a high-speed catamaran service operating
between the and on to St. Lucia in the south.
L'Express Des Iles is an inter-island high-speed catamaran
service connectng Dominica to both islands of Guadeluope
(Pointe-a-Pitre) to the north of Dominca, to Martinique
(Fort-de-France) and St. Lucia. There is a EC$20.00 port
Departure Taxi
The ferry departs and arrives at the Roseau Bayfront,
a short walk from the heart of the capital.
L'Express Des Iles is a high-speed catamaran service operating
between the and on to St. Lucia in the south. L'Express
Des Iles is an inter-island high-speed catamaran service
connectng Dominica to both islands of Guadeluope (Pointe-a-Pitre)
to the north of Dominca, to Martinique (Fort-de-France)
and St. Lucia. There is a EC$20.00 port Departure Tax.The
ferry departs and arrives at the Roseau Bayfront, a short
walk from the heart of the capital.
Entry Requirements
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.
Departure Taxes are as follows:
Dominica residents US$12.00 EC$30.00
Other CARICOM residents US$14.00 EC$34.00
Non-CARICOM residents (eg US citizens) US$20.00 EC$50.00
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Dominica
At A Glance
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Language:
English, Creole (A language primarily based on French
with Carib loan words and West African syntax)
Government:
Parliamentary democracy; republic within the Commonwealth
Capital:
Roseau
Size:
289 sq. miles (749 sq. km)
Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto
Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
Climate:
Average daytime temperatures range from 75-85 F, with
cooler temperatures in the mountains. Dry season is from
January to April. Rainy season is from July to October.
Electricity:
220/240 volts. A transformer is required for all appliances.
Outlets are three-prong European-style. Adapters may be
needed. Appliances rated at 110 volts (US Standard) works
satisfactorily with a transformer. Most hotels provide
dual voltage shaver units. An adaptor plug is necessary
for small appliances.
Currency:
The Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$) is the currency used
locally. At the banks you will get EC$2.67 per US$1 cash,
and EC$2.68 per US$1 travellers’ cheques. United States
dollar, British Pounds and the Euro currency are acceptable
everywhere on the island.
Driving:
Driving is on the left side of the road, a local drivers’
permit is required and can be obtained from the airports,
car rentals agencies, and the Traffic Department on High
Street in Roseau, (Monday-Friday) 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. Fees
are US$12.00 or EC$30.00 for one (1) month, and US$23.00
or EC$60.00 for three (3) months.
One must be between the ages of 25-65, have a least two
(2) years driving experience and present a valid drivers’
licence when applying for a permit.
Car Rentals:
There are a handful of small, usually family-owned car-rental
companies, the condition and price of whose vehicles vary
widely.
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