Dominica
North America · Roseau · DM
Dominica is the greenest and the most mountainous island of the Caribbean, the volcanic nature island that has kept its rainforest, its rivers and its boiling lake intact against the tide of the resort development of the region. The island rises steeply from the sea to the peaks of its interior, and the world heritage park of the boiling valley protects the extraordinary volcanic landscape of the fumaroles, the hot springs and the bubbling lake of the summit, while the waterfalls, the emerald pools and the rivers of the forest run down to the coast. The west of the island holds the capital of the Roseau and the calm anchorages of the south, and the east spreads the wild Atlantic shore with its black beaches and its headlands. The Kalinago people, the last indigenous community of the eastern Caribbean, keep their culture in the territory of the north-east. Hiking, diving and the untamed nature make the island the unique, wild Caribbean.
Overview
Dominica is a country in North America. Its capital is Roseau and the international dialling code is +1767. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include English. Local currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD). We also list 1 city in Dominica: Roseau.
The Boiling Lake and the Park of the Boiling Valley
The park of the boiling valley, the world heritage of the Morne Trois Pitons in the mountains of the interior, protects the most dramatic volcanic landscape of the Caribbean, and the famous boiling lake of the park, the second-largest of its kind in the world, is the reward of one of the great hikes of the region. The trail to the lake climbs through the rainforest of the mountain, descends into the valley of the desolation, a steaming moonscape of the springs, the vents and the coloured pools, and reaches the enormous grey cauldron of the boiling water that churns and steams in its crater. The hike, tough, wet and unforgettable, is the essential adventure of the island, and the fumaroles, the waterfalls and the views of the ridge give the surrounding forest its extraordinary atmosphere.
The Emerald Pools and the Falls of the Island
The waterfalls of the island, tumbling from the high peaks down the steep valleys to the sea, are the great scenic reward of the rainforest, and the most famous of them, the emerald pool, drops into an azure basin ringed by the ferns and the moss of the gorge. The falls of the Trafalgar, two great ribbons of the water falling side by side above the hot springs of the road, and the falls of the Jacko, reached by the trail of the river, are the classic visits, while the smaller cascades of the interior reward the hikers of every valley. Swimming in the cool pools of the falls, in the green shade of the forest with the sounds of the birds and the water, is the essential refreshment of the island.
The Whales and the Waters of the Western Coast
The waters of the western coast of the island, dropping quickly from the steep shore into the deep of the Caribbean, are one of the most reliable places in the world to meet the whales, and the resident pods of the sperm whales and the frequent visitors of the humpbacks and the pilots give the country a remarkable reputation among the whale watchers. The tours from the coast, the small boats that track the whales of the offshore, combine the search of the giants with the sighting of the dolphins, the turtles and the seabirds of the open water. The hot springs and the sulphur baths of the west, the black-sand beaches and the calm harbours of the coast fill the rest of the marine picture of the island.
The Territory of the Kalinago and the Culture of the Caribs
The north-east of the island holds the territory of the Kalinago, the descendants of the Carib people who resisted the European colonisation of the region and the last indigenous community of the eastern Caribbean with the formal recognition of their land. The villages of the territory, set among the forested hills and the wild coast, keep the crafts of the basket weaving, the canoe building and the carving, and the visitor centre and the model village of the community explain the history of the people and their survival. The guided visits of the territory, the walks to the coast and the workshops of the artisans give the rare, genuine encounter with the living indigenous culture of the modern Caribbean.
The Capital of the Roseau and the Green Markets of the Island
The capital of the Roseau, the small, neat town on the sheltered west coast of the island, is the friendly, colourful heart of the country, built on the grid of the old French town with the wooden galleries and the stone buildings of the colonial era. The botanical gardens of the town, the church of the catholic cathedral and the museums of the island hold the historic and the cultural life, while the market of the town, alive with the tropical produce, the spices and the crafts of the farmers, is the vibrant centre of the everyday. The street life of the small town, the rum shops, the bakeries and the fish market of the waterfront, gives the visitor the easy, warm welcome of the whole island.
Compare hotels, cover your trip and stay connected.
- Capital
- Roseau
- Currency
- East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +1767
- Internet TLD
- dm
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter Dominica.
Cities (1)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Dominica?
Roseau is the capital of Dominica, and the country sits in North America.
What currency is used in Dominica?
You pay with East Caribbean Dollar (XCD) in Dominica. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in Dominica?
The languages we list for Dominica are English. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for Dominica?
The dialling code for Dominica is +1767 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which cities in Dominica do you cover?
Our guide lists 1 city for Dominica: Roseau (capital).