Dominica | North America

Dominica is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles, situated between the French overseas departments of Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south. Its economy is defined by agriculture and a specialized eco-tourism sector focused on its rugged volcanic topography, which includes the world's second-largest hot spring, Boiling Lake; the capital city is Roseau.

Visa & Entry Policy

EU and US passport holders are granted visa-free entry for tourist stays of up to six months. UK passport holders are granted visa-free entry for up to 90 days. Entry requires a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of departure and a confirmed return or onward ticket. There is no E-Visa or Visa on Arrival system for these nationalities; a standard entry stamp is issued upon arrival.

Language & Communication

English is the official language and is universal in administration and education. English proficiency is high across the population. Dominican Creole French (Kwèyòl), a French-based creole, is widely spoken as a secondary language, particularly in rural southern communities. A small minority in the northeast speaks Kokoy, a variant of Leeward Caribbean English Creole.

Currency & Payment Systems

The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), pegged to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of 2.70 XCD to 1 USD. Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted in major hotels and supermarkets in Roseau and Portsmouth. Cash is essential for local buses, street vendors, and transactions in rural villages. ATMs are available in the capital and second city but are scarce in the island's interior.

National Transport Grid

Inter-island transit is facilitated by the L’Express des Îles ferry, connecting Dominica to Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Saint Lucia. Intra-island travel is dominated by privately owned "bus" minivans (identifiable by "H" or "HA" license plates) that operate on informal schedules. There is no rail network. Domestic aviation is primarily handled via Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM) for regional connections.

Digital Infrastructure

The primary mobile network providers are Flow and Digicel. 4G/LTE coverage is robust along the coastline and in urban centers, but signal strength is unreliable in the mountainous interior and deep rainforest valleys. As of 2026, 5G deployment is in the early stages and concentrated in the Roseau metropolitan area.

Climate & Seasonality

The climate is tropical maritime with high rainfall year-round. The dry season (locally called "Carem") runs from February to June. The wet season spans from July to December, with the highest rainfall occurring between August and October, coinciding with the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Health & Safety

No mandatory vaccines are required unless arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic country. Health risks include mosquito-borne Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya. Tap water is generally safe to drink, as it is sourced from mountain springs. The emergency number for Police, Ambulance, and Fire is 999.

Top 3 Major Regions & Cities

Saint George Parish: Hub: Roseau.

Saint John Parish: Hub: Portsmouth.

Soufrière/Scott's Head: Hub: Scott's Head (Marine Reserve).

Local Cost Index

1L Water: 4.00 XCD ($1.50 USD)

1 Domestic Beer (0.5L): 6.00 XCD ($2.25 USD)

1 SIM Card (10GB Data): 115.00 XCD ($42.50 USD)

Facts & Legends

Dominica is the only Caribbean island to retain a significant population of indigenous Kalinago people, who reside in a 3,700-acre communal territory on the Atlantic coast. Local folklore features the "Soucouyant," a shapeshifting witch who sheds her skin at night to travel as a ball of fire and suck the blood of victims. Geologically, it is the youngest island in the Lesser Antilles and is still being shaped by geothermal activity.