Currency and Money Transactions
The East Caribbean Dollar is the official currency in Dominica. That being said, the US dollar is also widely accepted by businesses across the island. However, when it comes to using a credit card for your payments, kindly note that although MasterCard and VISA are usually well accepted at major restaurants and hotels, you may face some issues if using an American Express or another card. It should also be noted that many local businesses prefer to be paid in cash, especially at gas stations.
The following also apply:
- Cash withdrawals using the Travel card are not allowed in most locations of the Lesser Antilles.
- There are very few ATMs available on the island, so it is best to carry some cash with you.
- Car rentals accept credit cards and even prepaid cards. This is not the case with car reservations, though, as prepaid cards are not accepted.
Getting to Dominica
To get to the island, you may come by boat or plane. In the first case, some ferry companies only operate only on specific days of the week. Now, if you choose to visit Dominica by plane, you may have to land in Martinique, which is the nearest airport, and then take another flight to Dominica. It depends on where in the world you are flying from. You will be able to reach the island within 45 minutes then. Or you may take the ferry from Martinique (or another nearby island if you have landed there), such as Antigua. In any case, it is advised to check schedules in advance and make your bookings early on.
You may find this web tool with updated flight schedules to Dominica useful: Direct flights to Dominica (DOM) (flightconnections.com).
Driving in Dominica
Driving in Dominica can be a challenge, given that almost 50% of the highways here are unpaved, and that you will rarely see sidewalks as well as road signs and stop lights on most roadways. Add to that the poor road infrastructure, the absence of two proper lanes on roads (so that drivers of both sides of traffic can pass simultaneously), and the many blind spots.
Details about driving in Dominica:
- Cars drive on the left-hand side.
- Honking is customary in Dominica to alert either a pedestrian or another vehicle of one’s presence, especially during the night when the roads are not well-lit.
- The roads in Dominica have steep drop-offs that are not easily seen due to growing vegetation, so be a bit more careful than usual here.
- When renting a car in Dominica, it is best to opt for a small 4X4 or a compact vehicle. The latter will help manoeuvre around the muddy locations and get unstuck easily if you find yourself stuck. As for the first option, it is your best bet if you want to drive in mountainous areas.
- You may move around using the mini-buses, which you can identify by the letter “H” indication on their plates.
Electricity
Dominica uses Type D and Type G power plugs and sockets, while the standard voltage is 230 V (at 50Hz frequency). The first type of power plug and socket is very popular in African countries, as well as Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India. The second type of plug and socket is commonly found in the UK. So, depending on which country you come from, you may or may not need to bring a travel adapter for your devices.
Water
It is safe to drink water in Dominica, but you may not like the taste so much. Of course, it is easy to find bottled water in Dominica, which is also offered as an option at most restaurants. As for tap water, it is provided filtered across dining venues and other establishments on the island.
Internet Access & Service Providers
The island is particularly well-wired and Wi-Fi or internet hookups are widely provided in Dominica, especially in hotels, restaurants, airports, and coffeehouses. You can also buy a SIM card for your cell phone from any of the many retailers across the island or the airport by simply showing your passport. As for the main internet service providers in Dominica, these are Digicel Dominica and Flow.
Dominican Culture
Dominica has been influenced by several different cultures over the years. However, the first inhabitants of the island were the Kalinago people and the Arawaks. In time, Dominica was colonised by the English and the French in different periods, while also being impacted by African cultures around the 18th century.
Religion
The major religion in Dominica is Christianity, which is practised by most of the local population. In fact, almost ¾ of the island’s population (about 70,000 Dominicans in total) are Christians, and approximately 60% of them are Roman Catholics. Besides Christianity, though, many Dominicans follow different other religions, such as the Church of God, Pentecostal, Baptist, and Seventh Day Adventist, all Evangelical churches.
Dominica v.s the Other Caribbean Islands
Dominica feels like a world on its own, setting itself apart from the other Lesser Antilles islands and nearby siblings like Antigua. The latter is home to over 360 beaches, while Dominica stunts visitors with over 350 rivers! Antigua also features sugary, white-sand shores. Dominica’s coastline is black and silver. Dominica is mountainous and volcanic and is a pole of attraction for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Antigua is relatively flat and attracts travellers seeking relaxing vacations. In any case, both islands are amazing, each in its own special way!
Climate
Dominica has a tropical climate, as do the rest of the Lesser Antilles islands. This means that it is humid and hot throughout the year, while also enjoying a rainy and humid season between June and November and a relatively dry and cool season between January and mid-April. The hottest month is June when the average temperature is 32oC (89.6oF) and January is the coldest month with an average temperature of around 26oC (78.8oF), which is still great and enjoyable.
Currency and Money Transactions
The East Caribbean Dollar is the official currency in Dominica. That being said, the US dollar is also widely accepted by businesses across the island. However, when it comes to using a credit card for your payments, kindly note that although MasterCard and VISA are usually well accepted at major restaurants and hotels, you may face some issues if using an American Express or another card. It should also be noted that many local businesses prefer to be paid in cash, especially at gas stations.
The following also apply:
- Cash withdrawals using the Travel card are not allowed in most locations of the Lesser Antilles.
- There are very few ATMs available on the island, so it is best to carry some cash with you.
- Car rentals accept credit cards and even prepaid cards. This is not the case with car reservations, though, as prepaid cards are not accepted.
Getting to Dominica
To get to the island, you may come by boat or plane. In the first case, some ferry companies only operate only on specific days of the week. Now, if you choose to visit Dominica by plane, you may have to land in Martinique, which is the nearest airport, and then take another flight to Dominica. It depends on where in the world you are flying from. You will be able to reach the island within 45 minutes then. Or you may take the ferry from Martinique (or another nearby island if you have landed there), such as Antigua. In any case, it is advised to check schedules in advance and make your bookings early on.
You may find this web tool with updated flight schedules to Dominica useful: Direct flights to Dominica (DOM) (flightconnections.com).
Driving in Dominica
Driving in Dominica can be a challenge, given that almost 50% of the highways here are unpaved, and that you will rarely see sidewalks as well as road signs and stop lights on most roadways. Add to that the poor road infrastructure, the absence of two proper lanes on roads (so that drivers of both sides of traffic can pass simultaneously), and the many blind spots.
Details about driving in Dominica:
- Cars drive on the left-hand side.
- Honking is customary in Dominica to alert either a pedestrian or another vehicle of one’s presence, especially during the night when the roads are not well-lit.
- The roads in Dominica have steep drop-offs that are not easily seen due to growing vegetation, so be a bit more careful than usual here.
- When renting a car in Dominica, it is best to opt for a small 4X4 or a compact vehicle. The latter will help manoeuvre around the muddy locations and get unstuck easily if you find yourself stuck. As for the first option, it is your best bet if you want to drive in mountainous areas.
- You may move around using the mini-buses, which you can identify by the letter “H” indication on their plates.
Electricity
Dominica uses Type D and Type G power plugs and sockets, while the standard voltage is 230 V (at 50Hz frequency). The first type of power plug and socket is very popular in African countries, as well as Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India. The second type of plug and socket is commonly found in the UK. So, depending on which country you come from, you may or may not need to bring a travel adapter for your devices.
Water
It is safe to drink water in Dominica, but you may not like the taste so much. Of course, it is easy to find bottled water in Dominica, which is also offered as an option at most restaurants. As for tap water, it is provided filtered across dining venues and other establishments on the island.
Internet Access & Service Providers
The island is particularly well-wired and Wi-Fi or internet hookups are widely provided in Dominica, especially in hotels, restaurants, airports, and coffeehouses. You can also buy a SIM card for your cell phone from any of the many retailers across the island or the airport by simply showing your passport. As for the main internet service providers in Dominica, these are Digicel Dominica and Flow.
Dominican Culture
Dominica has been influenced by several different cultures over the years. However, the first inhabitants of the island were the Kalinago people and the Arawaks. In time, Dominica was colonised by the English and the French in different periods, while also being impacted by African cultures around the 18th century.
Religion
The major religion in Dominica is Christianity, which is practised by most of the local population. In fact, almost ¾ of the island’s population (about 70,000 Dominicans in total) are Christians, and approximately 60% of them are Roman Catholics. Besides Christianity, though, many Dominicans follow different other religions, such as the Church of God, Pentecostal, Baptist, and Seventh Day Adventist, all Evangelical churches.
Dominica v.s the Other Caribbean Islands
Dominica feels like a world on its own, setting itself apart from the other Lesser Antilles islands and nearby siblings like Antigua. The latter is home to over 360 beaches, while Dominica stunts visitors with over 350 rivers! Antigua also features sugary, white-sand shores. Dominica’s coastline is black and silver. Dominica is mountainous and volcanic and is a pole of attraction for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Antigua is relatively flat and attracts travellers seeking relaxing vacations. In any case, both islands are amazing, each in its own special way!
Climate
Dominica has a tropical climate, as do the rest of the Lesser Antilles islands. This means that it is humid and hot throughout the year, while also enjoying a rainy and humid season between June and November and a relatively dry and cool season between January and mid-April. The hottest month is June when the average temperature is 32oC (89.6oF) and January is the coldest month with an average temperature of around 26oC (78.8oF), which is still great and enjoyable.