Travel and Tourism

Travel and Tourism in Dominica

Travel alerts, currency, climate, transit, health, and safety information for visitors to Dominica.

Practical Information

Travel alert status, currency, climate, and transit details.

Travel Alert Status: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Currency: 2.7
Climate: Tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall
Ethnic Groups: Black, mixed black and European, European, Syrian, Carib Amerindian
National Holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
Geographic Coordinates: 15 25 N, 61 20 W
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago
Airports: 2

Medical facilities, vaccinations, disease risk, and sanitation conditions.

Medical Facilities and Health Information: Medical care is limited. The major hospital is Princess Margaret Hospital (telephone (767) 448-2231/5720). In addition, there is one other hospital in Dominica and several clinics. There is an operational hyperbaric chamber at the main hospital. The private hospital and clinics will take emergency cases. There is limited ambulance service on most of the island, and a sea rescue service is available at the North end of the island. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Accessibility: While in Dominica, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. There is no legal requirement in Dominica mandating access to buildings for persons with disabilities. Access to buildings, pedestrian paths and transportation is extremely difficult for persons with disabilities. Sidewalks (if they exist) are very uneven and will only occasionally have ramps at intersections. Pedestrian crossings are also very infrequent. In general, restaurants, hotels and residential buildings have stairs at the entrance without wheelchair ramps, except perhaps major hotels and retail areas. Buses and taxis do not have special accommodations for disabled persons.