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Dominica is between Guadeloupe and Martinique, just in the middle of the arc forming the Little Antilles archipelago. Dominica, 46 km long x 25 km wide, is a mountainous island with impressive landscapes. (map)
Official Holidays
January 1st New Year
Holly Week Good Friday /Easter Monday
May 1st Labor Day / Holy Pentecost Monday
August (1st Monday) August’ Monday
November 3rd Independence Day
November 4th Community Service Day
December 25th Christmas Day
December 26th Christmas Box Day
Events Calendar
Carnival: Monday and Tuesday previous to Ash Wednesday
Creole Day: October (people uses the national dress).
PLANNING THE TRIP
Banks and exchange
The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), though in some places American dollars are accepted. Bank schedules usually are from 8:00 to 15:00 hours from Monday to Thursday, and from 8:00 to 17:00 hours on Fridays. The most important are the Barclays Bank, The Royal Bank of Canada and the Bank of Nova Scotia. All of them have branches at Roseau. They all have ATMs including one at Bay Street.
Departure tax: All those with more than 24 hours in Dominica, must pay 30 EC$ as departure tax.
TIPS
Most restaurants add 10% to their bills for service. It’s not necessary to give tips to taxi drivers, but you better give some to those carrying your bags at the airport.
Tourist Office Abroad
Contact:
Dominica Tourist Office,
10 East 21st. Street
Suite 600, New York, NY 10010
Phone 212 475 7543 in the USA.
Dominica High Commission
1 Collingham Gardens
London SW5 OHW Phone 0171-835 1937, in the United Kingdom
Websites
HTTP://www.dominica.dm
PRACTICAL TIPS
News
There are two local radios in Dominica, DBS and Kairi Radio, and four weekly newspapers: Independent, Mirror, Chronicle and Tropical Star.
Post offices
The main post office is in Bay Front, Roseau (from 8:00 to 16:00 hours, from Monday to Friday)
Phone
The area code is 767. The Cable and Wireless offices are in Roseau.
Tourist Information Local Offices
Old Market Square, Roseau (open from 8:00 to 18:00, from Monday to Friday, and from 9:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays)
Medical Assistance
Princess Margaret Hospital
Roseau, phone no. 448 2231; there’s also a small hospital in Marigot.
Pharmacy: Jolly’s, 37 Great George Street, Roseau, phone 448 3388
EMERGENCIES
Police, firemen and ambulances: 999
Shopping
You’ll find quality handicraft at the Caribbean Indians reserve, and the Roseau Mall.
Voltage: 220 volts AC 50 cycles
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