DominicaSALES MANUAL 1 www.DiscoverDominica.com ContentsINTRODUCTION LAND ACTIVITES 16 Biking / Dining GENERAL INFORMATION 29 Hiking and Adventure / 3 At a Glance Nightlife 4 The History 30 Shopping / Spa 4 Getting Here 31 Turtle Watching 6 Visitor Information LisT OF SERviCE PROviDERS RICH HERITAGE & CULTURE 21 Tour Operators from UK 8 Major Festivals & Special Events 22 Tour Operators from Germany 24 Local Ground Handlers / MAIN ACTIVITIES Operators 10 Roseau – Capital 25 Accommodation 18 The Roseau Valley 25 Car Rentals & Airlines 20 South & South-West 26 Water Sports 21 South-East Coast 2 22 Carib Territory & Central Forest Reserve 23 Morne Trois Pitons National Park & Heritage Site 25 North-East & North Coast Introduction Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-ee-ka) is an independent nation, and a member of the British Commonwealth. The island is known officially as the Commonwealth of Dominica. This Sales Manual is a compilation of information on vital aspects of the tourism slopes at night to the coastline at midday. industry in the Nature Island of Dominica. Dominica’s rainfall patterns vary as well, It is intended for use by professionals and depending on where one is on the island. others involved in the business of selling Rainfall in the interior can be as high as Dominica in the market place. 300 inches per year with the wettest months being July to November, and the As we continue our partnership with you, driest February to May. our cherished partners, please help us in our efforts to make Dominica more well known Time Zone among your clients and those wanting Atlantic Standard Time Zone, one hour information on our beautiful island. ahead of Eastern Standard Time. 3 Capital Roseau (pronounced rose-oh) At a Glance Other Main Towns and Villages Portsmouth, the second town, situated on the north-west coast. Other important Location/Topography towns and communities include the Carib Located in the centre of the Caribbean Territory, Marigot and Grand Bay. chain of islands; 15.30 W Latitude and 61.20 N Longitude, north of Martinique Official Language and south of Guadeloupe English is the official language, but Creole, a French-based patois, is widely Size spoken by residents. 29 miles (46.7 km) long and 16 miles (25.7 km) wide, with an area of 289 sq Clientele miles (749 sq km) Dominica is for hiking enthusiasts, those seeking adventure, culture, nature, diving Climate and who want to go off the beaten track. Due to Dominica’s topography and vegetation, the climate and temperature Main Activities vary dependent upon the season, or A number of nature-oriented activities are one’s location/altitude on the island. offered on the island, including hiking, Generally, temperatures can vary as much scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, as 10º-33ºC (50º-92ºF) from the mountain bird watching, river bathing, whale watching, jeep safari tours, and activities in adventure parks. The History At the centre of the arc of the Caribbean archipelago, Dominica Getting rises dramatically to almost 5,000 feet above sea level and hosts eight types of vegetation. Arriving by AHereir is the beginning of the adventure. Dominica 4 Wedged between the two French territories has two airports; Canefield Airport just 5 of Martinique and Guadeloupe, Dominica, miles (8 kilometres) north of Roseau is a short which gained its independence from Britain airstrip that accommodates small planes with on November 3, 1978, is a republic within the up to 19 seats. British Commonwealth. Melville Hall Airport is in the northeast of the The island was first settled by the Arawaks in island, 36 miles (58 kilometres) from Roseau, 3,000 BC and later by the Kalinago or Caribs. and is approximately one hour and 20 With Dominica’s highest mountain rising minutes drive from the centre of the island. to 4,747 ft/1,447 km, one can understand why the Caribs called her “Waitukubuli”, As Dominica does not have an international meaning “tall is her body”. Christopher airport, there are no non-stop flights from the Columbus renamed her on November 3, US mainland or Europe. American Eagle and 1493, having sighted Dominica on a Sunday LIat have direct daily flights from Puerto Rico on his second voyage to the Caribbean. Up to Dominica. until the early 1700s the Caribs managed to keep colonialism at bay, until finally the French took control in 1720. From 1720 to 1805, Dominica changed hands several times between the British and the French until it American Eagle was finally ceded to the British in 1805. 800.433.7300 Dominica’s population of 70,000 is mainly www.aa.com of African descent with a small percentage of inhabitants of European descent. LIAT Approximately 3,500 descendants of the 767.448 3980 Caribs live in an area reserved for them, 767.445.7242 known as the Carib Territory, on the north- www.liatairline.com eastern coast of the island. Connections from major international Arriving by Sea gateways are readily available from nearby Passengers can get to and from the regional hubs such as Antigua, Barbados, St. neighbouring islands of Guadeloupe, Lucia, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Puerto Martinique, St. Lucia and Marie Galante by Rico. These hubs are served by international ferry. Contact information for ferry service is: carriers including Air Canada, American SAS L’Express des Iles Airlines, British Airways, Continental, Tel: 767-448-2181 Lufthansa, Air Jamaica, Jetblue, US Airways Fax: 767-448-5787 and Virgin Atlantic. 5 Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Airports Princess Cruises, Seaborne Cruise Line, Star Airport Code and distance from Roseau, the Clipper, Windjammer and Barefoot Cruises, capital city: among others, all call in at Dominica. The main cruise ship berth is in Roseau on the Melville Hall Airport (DOM) Dame M.E. Charles Boulevard. Some lines approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Roseau also call at Woodbridge Bay, just north of Roseau, and at the Cabrits Cruise Ship berth Canefield Airport (DCF) in Portsmouth. approximately 15 minutes from Roseau Dominica does not have a yacht marina at Sea Ports the moment, however, there are several The following is a list of designated sea ports calm anchorages along the western coast where vessels may be entered and cleared: of the island that are ideally suited for the yachtsman. In some areas, moorings have Roseau on the south west coast (the capital) been laid as dropping anchor off the coast Portsmouth on the north west coast is not encouraged. The main areas for yachts Anse de Mai on the north east coast are Prince Rupert Bay in Portsmouth, Castle Woodbridge Bay Comfort just outside of Roseau and at Mero, 12 miles north of Roseau. Mooring craft in what is designated a marine reserve or protected area is prohibited. The Scott’s Head/Soufrière Bay area in the south-west of the island is a marine reserve and is off limits for mooring of yachts and vessels. A special permit must be obtained for movement of craft from one location to the other. Visitor Information Animals Animals may enter if accompanied by a valid veterinary health certificate plus an importation permit from the Veterinary Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture at the Botanical Gardens, Roseau. Check with the office for current regulations. For more information call the Veterinary Department at Tel: 767.266.3824 Churches There is a good representation of religious denominations in most towns and villages, however, the predominant religion is Roman Catholic. Check with your hotel front desk for times of services. Climate Average daytime temperatures range 6 from 75º to 85ºF (24º-29ºC) with cooler temperatures in the mountains. Dry season is January to April. Rainy season is July to October. Entry Requirements For a current list of nationalities Clothing requiring an entry visa, visit Lightweight, casual clothing is the best www DiscoverDominica.com. throughout the year, with a light sweater for the cooler evenings in the mountains. US nationals require a valid passport. A Swimwear is not acceptable on the streets. birth certificate with a raised seal and a valid Hiking boots and raincoats are recommended driver’s licence is no longer sufficient to re- for hikes through the rainforests. enter the US. French nationals may visit for up to two weeks with ID cards. A return or Communications onward ticket is required from all visitors. Direct dial service is available. Telephone, cell phone, email, telegram, telefax, data Departure Tax services, radio, television and amateur radio Non-national – EC$59/US$22 services are available. Payphones appear Caricom Nationals – EC$45/US$18 at intervals along the roads throughout the Departure tax is payable in cash only. Children island. under 12 are exempt. Credit Cards Banking Hours Major credit cards and travellers cheques are Mondays to Thursdays accepted by most hotels, restaurants, large 8am-2pm and supermarkets, car rental agencies and tour Fridays 8am-4pm operators. ATM machines are available 24/7. Currency Exchange Getting Married Local currency is the Eastern Caribbean Either party should be on the island two days dollar (EC$2.67 = US$1), but US dollars are prior to application. Requirements: proof accepted islandwide. The rate of exchange of citizenship (passport or birth certificate); at most local businesses is EC$2.60. You are proof of divorce, if applicable; copy of death advised to exchange your currency at the certificate, if widow or widower. A licence banks, for the most favourable exchange fee of US$12 must be paid on submission of rates. above listed documents. Contact your hotel of choice or the Dominica Tourist Office for Hospitals and Medical Facilities more details. Health centres are located all around the island. The following is a list of hospitals: Contact your hotel of choice, the Discover Dominica Authority (info below) or the HOSPITALS: Ministry of Community Development for more details.