Dominica Island Travel Guide | Attractions | Weather | Hotels

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Dominica Travel Guide Overview

Dominica is a single island nation. There are a few rock stacks and islets off the coast, and there’s that weird little disputed island with Venezuela, that’s about two hundred kilometers west.

There are two regional airports on Dominica Island. Douglas Charles Airport and Canefield Airport but no International Airport are there. Therefore flying to Dominica requires traveling through.

  • Antigua
  • Barbados
  • Guadeloupe
  • Martinique
  • Puerto Rico

by local Airlines. It’s also possible to reach Dominica by sea from Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint Lucia although it is not the most convenient starting and finishing location for your charter.


Fast Facts

Capital: Roseau
Population: 74,743 (2019) Approx
Currency: East Caribbean dollar(XCD)
Language: English
Country Ph Code: +1-767
Dominica Independence: 1978
Time Zone: UTC–4 (Eastern Caribbean)
Airport Code: DOM

Dominica Flag


Dominica Flag Meaning:- This flag really sticks out because considering how you look at the others this is the only flag of a fully sovereign state that contains the color purple.

The Domica Island flag is a green field with a tricolor cross of yellow, black, and white and in the center lies the emblem containing the incredibly rare, endemic Sisserou parrot, the national bird of Dominica in which only about 300 to 350 documented specimens are left living in the wild.

The greenfield represents the lush vegetation and rainforest that can be found on the island.

Dominica Island Flag 3 colors in a cross pattern together as a unit symbolize the Trinity of God and Christianity.

The yellow stands for the sunshine, the citrus and banana produce, as well as a symbol for the native Kalinago tribal peoples that live on the island.

The black symbolizes the rich black soil as well as the African heritage of the people and

The white stands for the pure, clear waters of rivers, waterfalls, and creeks that dominate the island.

Then we get to the central emblem. The emblem consists of a red circle with the Sisserou parrot and 10 lime green stars in a circular pattern around the parrot.

The Sisserou parrot it isn’t just the national bird but it also symbolizes the flight towards greater heights and aspirations of the country.

The 10 stars represent the 10 parishes of the island as well as hope and the red circle stands for the commitment to social justice.



Dominica is an island nation located in the Lesser Antilles region, between North and South America Continent, right at the convergence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.


The island is southeast of the French overseas territory islands of Guadeloupe and northwest of the territory of Martinique.

The country is split up into ten parishes, with the capital and largest city, Roseau, on the southwest, leeward side of the island.

Dominica Country is kind of like right smack dab in the middle of the Leeward and Windward Antilles, each region kind of claiming that Dominica is their northern- or southernmost point.

Dominica on World Map


However, none of them are really big enough to inhabit, and everybody just pretty much lives and operates on the main island.

In the northeast side of the country, just below Douglas airport, you have the Kalinago territories, where indigenous people live and build their traditional homes, trying to preserve their way of life as some of the last remaining indigenous Carib peoples in the entire world.


Dominica Attractions

[ Visit: Infographic Travel Guide of Dominica | Photo Gallery ]

The following gives an update of the status of Tourist places, things to do and attractions in Dominica.

The Emerald Pool

This popular grotto boasts an easily accessible waterfall and is located deep in the heart of the Dominica rainforest.

The Emerald pool the sight facility and vending location remain unaffected by the storm.

Trafalgar falls – Also Known as Twin Falls

Dominica has an incredible pair of waterfalls continue to be spectacular with the ability to coordinate and offer you a spectacular adventure. Climb them, swim them admire them.

The trail to the Falls is unaffected all the way to the viewing platform.

While some of the topography has changed Dominica stewing fall still remain as picturesque as before. Rediscover the Trafalgar falls

The Freshwater Lake

Dominic has largest Freshwater Lake lies in the center of an old volcano at the foot of mon macaque. Tours can be organized for boating or kayaking on the lake. 

Titoue Gorge

This crevasse in which hot and cold streams intermingle entices persons to swim in the crystal clear waters which leads to a spectacular view of a waterfall.

This site is unaffected by the storm and continues to be the perfect place for a cool refreshing dip.

Mero Beach

This is an ideal location for the visitor who wishes to relax and have fun while interacting with local inhabitants in nearby pubs and restaurants.

Take part in fun activities such as volleyball, dodgeball, cricket, soccer, kayaking and boat racing.

While the beach sustained some erosion as of Mero is ready to welcome visitors to the beach.

Cabrits National Park

The Cabrits National Park is on a peninsula at the northern end of Dominica. The Park protects tropical forests coral reefs and wetlands. 

There are hiking trails and a recently restored English garrison for surely. 

The Indian River

A tranquil boat ride along the Indian River in Dominica continues to be a very popular tourist attraction.

Dominica has the longest river is the perfect wetland for rich flora and fauna and has been unaffected at the boarding area of the tour.

Kalinago Barana Aute

Dominica Island is home to the last remaining indigenous peoples of the Caribbean the Kalinago people

The Kalinago Barana Aute or the Carib model village offers visitors a second to none opportunity to experience the Kalinago authentic heritage such as basket weaving and cassava bread making.

The Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens in Dominica is the largest area of green space within the city of Roseau (The Capital of Dominica) and is home to over 50 types of indigenous plants and imported trees as well as the national bird of Dominica the Sisserou parrots.

Mourn Bruce which is situated on the eastern side of the Botanical Gardens gives expansive views of the town and the sea beyond.

Spanny Falls

These two Falls are just a 10-minute hike into the rainforest and are deep enough to swim in if you can stand the cold.

Underwater Dominica / Marine Life

Dominica Island continues to be a leader in impressive underwater sights.

Experience spectacular diving, delightful snorkeling, whales, dolphins, sea turtles and more.

Dominica as premier diving and snorkeling site champagne is available via the sea for tours. With underwater geothermal Springs that vent gases in the form of thousands of warm bubbles, one definitely gets the feeling of swimming through a giant glass of champagne.

Travel to Dominica Island

It is hard to get into country Dominica. There are only two regional airports, Canefield Airport on the west side and the larger, more often-used Douglas Charles airport on the eastern side of Dominica.

If you come to Dominica, you will most likely arrive at Douglas Airport, however, Douglas is located on the complete opposite side of the island from Roseau (The Capital of Dominica),

So if you’re planning on going to Roseau, you’ll have to take an hour-long car ride through the thick rainforest and mountains until you reach Pringles Bay, where Canefield Airport is located, which will make you wish you could’ve just flown there instead of in the first place.

Dominica Flights


Book online to get the cheapest price of the flights to Dominica from your desired destination.


Accommodation in Dominica

Get the best deals on Hotels of Dominica at WikiTravelPedia. Book online to get the Cheapest Rates. Some of the recommendations on Dominica Hotels are as follows:

Hotel Beau Rive 5* | Rosalie Bay Resort 3* | The Champs 3* | Hotel Anchorage 3*


Dominica Weather


Culture and History

All over the country, you see the cultural residue left from the former European colonizers; first, it was part of France, then the British came in in 1763 and then they finally Dominica gained their independence in 1978.

Unlike other colonies, though, it never became a Commonwealth realm, and immediately became a republic upon independence.

The funny fact is, though: Dominica was the last island in the Caribbean to be colonized, and was therefore under no European jurisdiction, which attracted pirates and adventurers from all over.

For a while, it was a huge haven for pirates, and to this day, there are stories of sunken ships and hidden treasure in caves all over. But that’s not the only treasure you can find in Dominica Country!


Geography of Dominica Island

Dominica is nicknamed the “nature island“, as it is the most rugged and densely forested of all the Carribean islands. Despite being only three hundred square miles in area, only about twenty percent of the landmass is flat enough and suitable for development.

This leaves a lot of room for the inland mountain areas to remain untouched and well-preserved. And holy raspberries is it well-preserved! A a huge chunk of the Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and 3 was filmed here.

Lots of plants and animals that are believed to be extinct on other Caribbean islands are still thriving well in Dominica.

Such as various bats, reptiles, birds, including the endemic Sisserou parrot, the national bird, which can be found on the flag, making Dominica one of the only few countries with purple on their flag.

Even though it’s so small, Dominica is one of the most rain-drenched lands on earth, giving the country over 360 natural rivers, creeks, waterfalls, and ponds that meander through the thick rainforest.


Like many other islands in the Antilles, Dominica was formed out of intense volcanic activity from the two opposing tectonic plates, the Caribbean and the North American plates.

However, the craziest part about this country would have to be the active volcanism. Although there are other places in the world that have more volcanoes, Dominica Country is the world’s fully sovereign state with the highest concentration of active volcanoes per land area, with around ten.

This changes everything on how the island functions and operates.

Take a hike and you’ll find a ton of hot springs and thermal pools all over, including the second biggest hot spring in the world, Boiling Lake.

Not only that, but the geothermal activity even penetrates the coast on Champagne Bay, a popular snorkeling spot where the sea is warm and literally bubbles up like champagne, due to the escaping gas particles from the volcanic activity below.

Living and Agriculture

The interesting thing about Dominica is that the whole country is deliberately less focused on attracting mass tourism, and prefers to nurture and maintain its equal outlook.

This means the government encourages traditional industries such as agriculture and fishing. About twenty-two percent of the land is arable, and employs about forty percent of the labor force, making twenty percent of the GDP.

Pumice, clay, and volcanic ash are easily extracted from the ground and used in export, as well as lumber from around three hundred acres of governmentally allocated commercial lands, that produce mahogany, mahoe, and teak wood.

Even more so than the land makeup, though, the most distinguishable part about Dominica would have to be the intriguingly culture-clashed inhabitants that live on the island.


Dominica Island Demographics

Just like some other states in the Caribbean, Dominica has a culture and heritage that is noticeably fused and alloyed from the former European colonizers, with a hard dash of Africa, and a pinch of indigenous tribal influence.

First of all: the country has just over 72,000 inhabitants, and is the only Eastern Caribbean island that still retains a population of pre-Columbian native Caribs.

The country is about 85% black,10% mixed, and about 4% of the country is native Kalinago, and the remainder is mostly white Brits and French.

Demographics Graph

Dominicans are quite unique in a number of ways, but let’s rewind and talk about the Kalinago. The Kalinago are the indigenous tribe that speaks their own language, and primarily inhabit the Carib territory on the east side of the island.

These are the original Dominicans. Although in the past, the number has almost dwindled down to five hundred, today, they’ve been trying to revive Dominica people and culture, and are about three thousand strong.

You can even visit them and learn all about their way of life and culture, which has miraculously been preserved, even after centuries of colonization, disease and crossfire conflict.

One reason why it’s speculated that the Kalinago of Dominica survived for so long, is because of the heavily mountainous terrain that gave them the advantage to hide and survive from outside drama.

Dominica Language

Otherwise, the rest of the country is heavily French and English-influenced, as they were colonized by both European entities respectively.

English is the official language of Dominica, however, most Dominica people speak Kweyol, which is a French-derived Creole language. It was originally used as a language in disguise against the European colonizers, handed down from their ancestors.

Although most Dominicans don’t speak French fluently, they can use their Kweyol to help communicate with neighboring French-speaking islands, like Martinique and Guadeloupe, as well as many French-speaking tourists that come.

Kweyol still thrives in households all over, especially in the south by Scotts Head.


People and Festivals

Dominicans are known for having a festival or party for pretty much any kind of animal, person, place, or food, like, seriously, there are way too many to list.


The World Creole music festival is an annual three-day music festival hosted on the island of Dominica during the final weekend in October. The festival began in 1997. Northern parts of the island were chosen for shooting Pirates of the Caribbean.


People of Dominica Island

Dominica’s also home to the largest concentration of Centenarians in the world.

Research is still being done, but the reason why is most likely attributed to the quality of life and access to fresh vegetables and fruits.

People in Dominica don’t have to exist in a rat race environment, which, in return, makes people generally happy, and relaxed.

Dominicans are very chill, and they don’t really care too much for mass tourism, but nonetheless, they still know how to invite other Dominica people in.

Let’s talk about whom they mingle around. Now, Dominica may seem a little reserved, just like the shy Sisserou parrot who tarries ever so delicately through the rainforest, but they are far, far, far from socially awkward.


Dominica Education

Education in Dominica Island is compulsory from ages 5 to 16 there is a network of primary and secondary schools as well as a Technical College.

All Saints University School of Medicine a private international Medical School in Roseau Dominica is considered to be one of the biggest in the Caribbean.

Archbold tropical research and education center a biological field station owned by Clemson University is located at sprinkle the state between Kenneth field and Ponca say.

Some Dominica’s attend universities in the United Kingdom the United States or other countries.


Dominica Island Economy

The Dominican economy has been dependent on agriculture, ecotourism, and offshore business. Dominica tourism industry is in its infancy compared to other Caribbean islands.

For many years it’s rugged terrain lack of white beaches and underdeveloped infrastructure prevented large-scale tourist development.

As a member of CARICOM, of course, Dominica always had an intensely close relationship with all the other Caribbean states and treats most of them as family.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia are pretty similar in the whole “starting out as French and switching to English” thing, and of course, who doesn’t want Trinidad and Tobago at a party?

France is like a divorced parent that has very restricted visitation rights — they still hold an interest in Dominica, and have signed numerous bilateral agreements with them in the past.

Outside of the family, though, the closest friends would probably be the US, the UK, and newcomer China.

A huge portion of their economy comes from the US and UK investments, as well as tourism, especially from the British.

The US and the UK also hold the largest populations of Dominican immigrants outside of Dominica, and over four thousand Americans live in Dominica, either permanently or studying abroad.

China kinda swept in in 2004, and was like: In conclusion, while all the other members of the Caribbean were squabbling, Dominica was kinda like the calm, rational sister, that slipped outside and went to the greenhouse to read her book.


Dominica Investment Citizenship

Dominica citizenship by investment program is an important source of foreign investment in the economy.

The government is constantly developing theprogram to make it more attractive to investors.

As of December 2013, over 12,000 Dominica passports have been issued to foreign investors. In 2014 the government is expected to issue 2000 more passports.

There is no official statistics on the number of issued passports of Dominica and on the amount of a received investment as the government does not reveal this information.

Nevertheless, in May 2017 senator claimed that 50 million dollars out of one hundred and fifty million dollars of the budget was received.

According to Emanuel Nathan director of Dominica citizenship by investment unit the clearly defined conditions of the program allowed to maintain application projection rate at just 2%.

Passport of Dominica opens the doors to the following advantages.

  1. Visa-free travel around the world
  2. Asset protection the passport holders can open accounts in reliable European banks
  3. Tax advantages. Dominica has no world income capital gains or inheritance tax
  4. This is an opportunity to obtain long-term visas to the US and Canada
  5. Strict confidentiality there is no requirement to reside in the country

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