Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Dominica depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for DominicaEmergency Numbers
- General
- 999
Currency
- Name
- Eastern Caribbean Dollar
- Code
- XCD
- Symbol
- $
USD accepted at most hotels and restaurants. ATMs in Roseau. Cards accepted at hotels. Cash preferred at local restaurants and markets. Pegged to USD at EC$2.70:1.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type D, Type G
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
AST (UTC−4) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
January–May is drier — best for hiking the Boiling Lake (a flooded fumarole, the second-largest in the world), snorkelling Champagne Beach (bubbles up through the sand from geothermal vents), and whale watching (sperm whales resident year-round). Dominica is deliberately undeveloped — it's the anti-resort Caribbean for travellers who want jungle, not hotels.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | — |
| Guides | $10–15 USD per hike | — |
Dress Code
- Practical hiking gear for the interior
- Casual beach wear on the coast
Social Etiquette
- Dominica has the last remaining Kalinago (Carib) indigenous population in the Caribbean — the Kalinago Territory on the east coast is a living indigenous community; visit with respect
- The Nature Isle is a deliberate brand — Dominica has chosen conservation over mass tourism and the rainforest is extraordinary
- Sperm whales resident year-round in the waters off Dominica — world-class whale watching
- Hurricane Maria (2017) caused catastrophic damage — Dominica is rebuilding as a climate-resilient nation
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ same-sex activity is illegal — law is enforced; exercise caution
- Cannabis illegal; penalties enforced
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Dominican Creole / Kwéyòl) | Bonjou / Bonswa | bon-ZHOO / bon-SWAH |
| Thank you (Kwéyòl) | Mèsi | MEH-see |
| How are you? (Kwéyòl) | Kouman ou yé? | koo-MAHN oo YEH |
| No problem (local) | Pa ni pwobwèm | pah nee PWOH-bwehm |
| Nature Isle (nickname) | Nature Isle | Dominica's official tourism identity — the most accurate Caribbean sobriquet |
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