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Dominica Travel Guide

Dominica FlagDominica and St Vincent were the last two Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans, due to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. Due to this, in 1660 France and Britain agreed to leave the two island alone and let the natives have them. This was all good and well, but settlers on the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique to the immediate north and south could not resist the timber of th lush Dominica forests and people started trickling in starting in 1690. Later French plantations were set up for sugar and coffee.

The French lost Dominica in 1761 when the British invaded during the Seven Year War. The French attempted to regain the island in 1778, 1795, and 1805, but to no avail. The British finally settled the island in 1805 and it remained in British hands until independence on March 3, 1978.

Helpful Info
Population – 73,500
Money – shares the Eastern Caribbean dollar with 5 other countries and 2 British islands (fixed at US$1 = EC$2.70)
Language – English
Religion – 94.5% Christian
When to go – Dec-June is most popular. Summer is nice also, but a little hotter and more humid. Hurricanes most active Aug-Oct.
World Heritage Sites – 1 – Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Country formed – Independence from United Kingdom on 3 Nov 1978

During this time slaves were imported and harshly abused until slavery was outlawed in 1833. By 1835 three men of African descent were elected to the legislative assembly of Dominica and by 1838 African descendants of Dominica were the first to control the local government in the Caribbean. Dominica set another Caribbean first when Mary Eugenia Charles became the first female prime minister two years after independence and remained in office for 15 years.

There are around 3,000 Carib Indians still living on Dominica are they are the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the eastern Caribbean.

My Visit

In 2018 I was only able to visit Dominica for 3-4 days, but loved every minute of it and plan on returning in 2019 and 20 to explore even more of what this island has to offer.

Likes, Dislikes, and Recommendations

Dominica is an island in the middle of the Caribbean chain. It lacks for lots of cruising oppertunities, but makes up for it with a dizzing array of shoreside attractions.

If you stay in the Portsmouth area make sure you use one of the PAYS mooring balls as it provides access to their hospitalities, guides, and nightime security patrols. The first thing everyone does is a tour up the Indian River and it is well worth the $20 or so. The other thing I truely enjoyed was taking a full day tour with the highlight being a visit to the Kalinago Territory, which is the last surviving descendants of the Carib Indians.

Below you will be able to get even more helpful hints by reading what I did in Dominica with my blog posts below. Also, I will be working on a travel video in the future.

All Blogs From Dominica

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