Getting Around Dominica
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use minibuses for Roseau and coastal towns. Rural: Rent a car for interior exploration. Inter-Island: Ferries to Guadeloupe and Martinique. For convenience, book airport transfers from Douglas-Charles Airport to your destination.
Minibus Travel
Public Minibus Network
Affordable and frequent minibuses connect Roseau to major towns like Portsmouth and Soufriere with services running from early morning to evening.
Cost: Roseau to Portsmouth EC$5-10 (about $2-4 USD), journeys 30-90 minutes depending on terrain.
Tickets: Pay cash to driver upon boarding, no advance purchase needed, exact change recommended.
Peak Times: Avoid 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM for less crowding and faster rides.
Multi-Ride Options
No formal passes, but frequent riders can negotiate informal deals with regular drivers for repeat trips across the island.
Best For: Budget travelers making multiple short trips, saves time over walking in hilly areas.
Where to Catch: Main bus stands in Roseau market or along the main coastal road, look for numbered routes.
Route Extensions
Minibuses extend to rural spots like Trafalgar Falls and the interior, with connections to ferry ports for inter-island travel.
Booking: No reservations needed, flag down any minibus heading your way, drivers are helpful to tourists.
Main Hubs: Roseau bus terminal is central, with easy access to airport shuttles via nearby stops.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring rainforests and remote beaches. Compare rental prices from $40-70/day at Douglas-Charles Airport and Roseau outlets.
Requirements: Valid license (international permit recommended), credit card, minimum age 25, 4WD advised for rough roads.
Insurance: Full coverage essential due to steep, winding roads; check for collision damage waiver.
Driving Rules
Drive on the left, speed limits: 32 km/h urban, 64 km/h rural, 80 km/h highways (where available).
Tolls: None on main roads, but some bridges may have small fees (EC$2-5).
Priority: Yield to uphill traffic on narrow mountain roads, watch for pedestrians and livestock.
Parking: Free in most rural areas, metered in Roseau at EC$1-2/hour, avoid leaving valuables visible.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations available in main towns at $4.50-5.50/gallon for petrol, $4-5 for diesel, fill up before rural drives.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Maps.me for offline navigation, signal can be spotty in interiors.
Traffic: Light overall, but narrow roads and rain can cause delays; drive cautiously at night.
Urban Transport
Taxis in Roseau
Readily available fixed-rate taxis in the capital, single ride EC$10-20 ($4-8 USD), no meters—agree on fare first.
Validation: Official taxis have red license plates, tip 10% for longer trips or luggage help.
Apps: Limited ride-sharing; use hotel concierges or taxi stands for reliable pickups.
Bike & Walking
Bike rentals in eco-lodges from $10-20/day, ideal for flat coastal paths; walking tours in Roseau's compact center.
Routes: Paved trails around botanical gardens and waterfront, helmets recommended for rentals.
Tours: Guided eco-bike tours to nearby falls, combining nature with light exercise.
Minibuses & Local Shuttles
Minibuses serve Roseau and suburbs, with hotel shuttles to attractions like Trafalgar Falls for EC$5-15.
Tickets: Cash on board, or pre-book shuttles through eco-resorts for fixed schedules.
Airport Links: Direct minibuses from DOM airport to Roseau, EC$20-30 ($8-12 USD) for 40-minute ride.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near Roseau for urban access or north coast for beaches, close to minibus routes for easy travel.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for dry season (Dec-Apr) and events like World Creole Music Festival.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for hurricane season (June-Nov) travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, generators (for power outages), and proximity to trails before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Good 4G coverage in populated areas, spotty in remote interiors; 5G emerging in Roseau.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Digicel and Flow offer prepaid SIMs from $10-20 with island-wide coverage where possible.
Where to Buy: Airports, shops, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for $15, 10GB for $25, unlimited for $30/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in hotels, restaurants, and cafes; public hotspots at the airport and Roseau library.
Public Hotspots: Tourist info centers and main squares offer free access.
Speed: Generally 10-50 Mbps in urban areas, sufficient for maps and calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (AST), UTC-4, no daylight saving observed.
- Airport Transfers: Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM) 40km from Roseau, taxi $30-40 USD (40 min), or book private transfer for $25-50.
- Luggage Storage: Available at airport ($5-10/day) and hotel services in major towns.
- Accessibility: Challenging due to terrain; some minibuses and taxis accommodate, but rural paths are steep.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed in taxis with prior notice ($10 extra), check eco-lodge policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes can be strapped to minibus roofs for $5, rentals include delivery options.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Dominica
Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM): Primary gateway in the north, 40km from Roseau with taxi connections.
Canefield Airport (DCF): Small domestic airstrip near Roseau for inter-island flights, 10km south.
Regional Access: No other major airports; ferries supplement from nearby islands.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for dry season (Dec-Apr) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Barbados or Antigua and taking regional flight or ferry to Dominica for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
LIAT, Winair, and Caribbean Airlines serve DOM with regional connections from the Caribbean.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and ground transport when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Available in Roseau and airports, typical withdrawal fee $2-5, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted in hotels and shops, American Express limited outside resorts.
- Contactless Payment: Growing acceptance in urban areas, Apple Pay and Google Pay in larger establishments.
- Cash: Essential for minibuses, markets, and rural spots, keep EC$50-100 ($20-40 USD) in small notes.
- Tipping: Not customary but appreciated; add 10% in restaurants for good service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport bureaus with poor exchanges; USD widely accepted.