Table of Contents
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Dominica Travel Information
- Dominica is an Island Nation in the Caribbean Sea. (this is NOT the Dominican Republic)
- Location: Guadeloupe sits to the northwest and Martinique sits to the south. It is one of the Lesser Antilles of the Leeward Islands.
- Known as “The Nature Island in the Caribbean.”
- Largely covered by rainforest and home to the world’s second largest hot spring.
- Official Language: English
- However a large portion of the population speaks Kwéyòl (a mixture of French, Carib and West African indigenous syntax.)
- A few northern villages speak a distinct English dialect called Kokoy.
- Capital: Roseau (and largest city)
- Currency: East Caribbean Dollar
- Everywhere on the island, businesses accept United States Dollars, British Pounds, and Euros.
- Credit Cards
- Most tourism related business, such as hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and car rental agencies accept Master Card, Visa and American Express credit cards, including traveler’s cheques.
- Time Zone: AST (Atlantic Standard Time)
- This is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and the same as Eastern Daylight Time.
- Driving Side: Left
- Size: Dominica is 29 miles long and 15 miles wide
- Dominica is very mountainous, so a drive from the southernmost point (Scott’s Head) to the northernmost point (Capuchin Point) is about 47 miles (75km) and will take about 2 hours to drive.
- Total Island Area: 290 sq mi
- Travel to Dominica
- Dominica has two airports: Douglas Charles Airport (DOM), which accommodates most of the international travel, as well as Canefield Airport (DFC), a smaller commuter option near the capital city of Roseau.
- Direct flights from North America to the island are available daily; while International flights from Europe are connected to the island through hubs in Antigua (ANU), Barbados (BGI), Martinique (FDF), St. Maarten (SXM), Puerto Rico (SJU), Guadeloupe (PTP), Trinidad and Tobago (POS), and St. Lucia (SLU).
- American Airlines now offers nonstop daily flights from Miami (MIA) DIRECT to Dominica (DOM)
- Emergency Contact for Police, Ambulance and Fire Department is 999
Dominica National Parks
*Morne Trois Pitons National Park
- Location: South central region of the island
- Centred with a 1,342-m-high volcano known as Morne Trois Pitons, here you’ll find deeply incised valleys, 50 fumaroles, hot springs, three freshwater lakes, a ‘boiling lake’ and five volcanoes and the richest biodiversity in the Lesser Antilles.
- Highlights/ Trails: *Emerald Pool, *Middleham Falls, *Trafalar Falls, *Titou Gorge, *Valley of Desolation, Fresh Water Lake Trail, Papillote Tropical Gardens, Spanny Falls, Jacko Falls and *Boiling Lake, (said to be the second largest fumarole in the world.) See Trail Details Below.
- Fun Fact: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest “Cage of Bones” drop scene was filmed at Titou Gorge
*Cabrits National Park
- Location: Northeast tip of the island
- Highlight: *Fort Shirley – 1765 military outpost (constructed by the Brisitsh, expanded by the French during their occupation.)
*Morne Diablotin National Park
- Location: Northwest region of the island
- Highlights: Morne Diablotin (4,747 foot tall mountain) that is home to the critically endangered Sisserou Parrot (estimated ~50 left in the country.)
- Trails: Syndicate Nature Trail, Morne Diablotin Ascent See Trail Details Below
Top Activities & Sites in Dominica
Diving/ Snorkeling in Dominica:
- List of some Dive/ Snorkel Operators in Dominica
- Top Snorkeling Spots – Champagne Reef, Scotts Head Beach & Soufriere Bay, Cabrits National Park, Salisbury Beach, Secret Beach
Whale Watching:
- Sperm Whales, several types of dolphin (spinner, pantropical spotted, Frasier’s, Bottlenose & short-finned pilot whale) – (year-round)
- Humpback whales – (Feb-April)
Hot Pools:
Soufriere Sulphur Springs –Geo-thermal warm water from the springs has been diverted into 4 man-made pools.
- Bongo Baths – Hot & cold healing mineral pools set in the tropical rain forest direct from mother nature.
Beaches:
- Tip: The east is rugged and windblown from the constant trade winds, the west is calm and drier.
- Most beaches are stone or sand, ranging from a whitish/grey sand to black, a reminder of the youth of the island and it’s volcanic origins.
- Swimming can occur at most beaches on the west coast, but only swim where recommended on the east side where there are many rip-currents and undertows.
- Batibou Beach – Considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, with towering coconut trees and beautiful, clean white sand. A great place for a swim, a snorkel or to just soak in the sun. But it is a challenging road to get to it.
River Boat Tour:
- Indian River Tour – This mangrove-fringed river flows into the Glanvilla Swamp. Perfect for Bird-watching.
- Site of a Pirates of the Caribbean Movie – look for the hut of Calypso.
- A bush bar which marks the end of the navigable stretch on the river.
More Waterfalls & Places of Interest:
- Victoria Falls
- Syndicate Falls
- Sar-Sari Waterfall
- Red Rocks
Culture:
- Kalinago Territory – The descendants of the Caribs, the first inhabitants of Dominica, or Waitukubuli, as they called it, live in eight villages in this reservation.
- Roseau Museum – This small museum highlights the island’s cultural and natural history.
- Old Market Square – A historic cobbled square with vegetable vendors.
Hiking:
- See Trail Details Below.
Popular Tours in Dominica
Dominica Hiking Trails
*=Popular Trails
Easy Trails:
- Syndicate Nature Trail West – 0.8 miles, easy, ~45 minute hike
- *Titou Gorge – ~5 minute swim through canyon to a waterfall
- *Jaco Flats – A two-hour hike that involves wading through a river and walking down cliff steps built by escaped slaves.
- *Scott’s Head Trail – 0.7 mile, out & back, easy
- **Emerald Pool East – (Top Site) – Short easy loop – 40 foot waterfall into a pool that appears emerald green.
- *Trafalgar Falls – Roseau Valley – 0.4 mile, out & back, easy
- Be sure to stop at the warm spring that flows across the trail. You can swim in the refreshing waters of the smaller waterfall or the hot springs of the tallest fall.
- *Fresh Water Lake Trail – 2.5 miles,~1.5 hour hike
- Dominica’s largest lake – lies at the center of an old volcano
More Challenging Trails:
Steeper slopes, up to 1,000 feet of elevation change. Steps only on the steepest grades and bridges only on larger rivers difficult to wade across.
- Victoria Falls – East – 0.4 miles, ~45 min
- Traversing trail paths, crossing rivers, and climbing rocks – both large and small is part of what makes this hike interesting. However, one has to be cautious because of flash floods, and a guide is highly recommended.
- *Middleham Falls – East – 1.7 miles out & back – Alltrails lists as easy, ~1hr 10min to hike
- Sari Sari Falls – 2 miles, out & back, moderate
- The trail traverses along the river bed, crossing several times. The exact path you travel depends on the flow of the river.
- Syndicate to Pourtsmouth – 5 miles, ~2.5 hours
- *Morne Anglais Trail – ~3 hour hike. A guide is recommended. This steep trail, up ~1,700 feet, has some of the most spectacular views of the island!
- *Morne Crabier Trail – ~2 hour hike
- *Boeri Lake – Roseau Valley – 1.2 miles, ~1.5 hour hike
- Can connect Freshwater Lake Trail to Boeri Lake for a 4.2 mile out & back hike
- Chemin L’tang East – 2.5 mile, ~1.5-2 hours
Advanced Trails:
- **Boiling Lake – (Top Trail)
- Boiling Lake is a flooded fumarole from a volcano in the area known as the Valley of Desolation.
- It is the world’s second-largest boiling lake
- Morne Aux Diablos – North – ~ 4 hour hike
- Morne Trois Pitons Trail – East – 1.06 mile, ~6 hour hike
- Perdu Temps Trail – 4.8 miles, ~8-10 hour hike, guide recommended
- Morne Diablotin – 1.25 mile, ~ 5-6 hour hike
Waitukubali Trail – The longest hiking trail in the Caribbean at 115 miles and made up of 14 segments.
Top Foods to Try in Dominica
- Callaloo Soup
- Callaloo is a plant similar to spinach. This soup contains a wide assortment of other vegetables as well.
- Sancocho
- Beef or chicken stew made with local vegetables, cassava melon and plantains.
- Codfish Sandwich
- Just what it sounds like, a cod sandwich, sautéed or fried.
- Fresh Fish
- Lobster, Crabs, Crayfish, Tuna, Mahi-Mahi (often called “fried dolphin” on local menus but in no way related to an actual dolphin) are abundant.
- You can also find Lionfish on menus – an invasive species that is encouraged to be fished. Once the venomous spine is removed you have a delicious white-flaky fish.
- Listen for the sound of someone blowing a conch shell. This means fresh fish is for sale.
- Mountain Chicken
- Actually NOT Chicken. This dish is Frog Legs from a giant native frog to the area. Considered Dominica’s national food.
- Manicou
- Said to be a tasty dish made from opossum (smoked or put in a stew over rice.)
- Agouti
- An animal similar to a squirrel or guinea pig (a staple delicacy served in a stew over rice.)
- Goat Water
- Goat Meat Soup
- Chatou Water
- This is actually Octopus Soup – with dumplings and assorted vegetables.
- Saltfish Sancoche
- Codfish with herbs and coconut milk.
- Cassava Bread
- A nutty-flavored root vegetable (cassava) is combined with coconut milk and spices to form a flatbread. This is a traditional Kalinago dish.
- For the best samples, head to Cassava Bakery near Bataka
- Kanki
- Another traditional Kalinago heritage dish, cassava and spices, wrapped up and steamed in a banana leaf.
- Fresh Fruits
- Mangos, papaya, bananas, guava, pineapple, orange, passion fruit, watermelon
- Fried Plantains
Popular Drinks in Dominica
- Sorrel Punch
- A popular sweet beverage made from the red hibiscus flowers of the sorrel plant and ginger.
- Soursop Juice
- Also called guanabana, the meaty white of the fruit is mixed with milk or water and some sugar. Try it fresh from a local seller.
- Local Rum
- There are lots of local rum varieties on the island. Some are even infused with herbs like rosemary or cinnamon.
- Kubuli Beer
- Dominica’s unofficial national beer – a light golden lager.
Highly-Rated/ Popular Hotels & Resorts
Resorts
- Secret Bay (Award-Winning Boutique Resort)– Portsmouth
- Jungle Bay Dominica (Luxury Eco-Resort) – Soufriere
- Manicou River Resort – Portsmouth
- Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort – Roseau
- Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski – Portsmouth
- Atlantique View Resort & Spa – Anse de Mai
Hotels/ Lodges/ Cottages
- The Champs Hotel – Portsmouth
- Mango Island Lodges (Boutique Hotel)– St. Joseph
- Caribbean Sea View Holiday Apartments – Mero
- Roseau Hostel and Beach Front Property – Roseau
- Hibiscus Valley Inn – Marigot
- Picard Beach Cottages – Portsmouth
Have a Great Trip to Dominica with Your Traveling Feet!
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