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It’s also possible to arrive on the somewhat frequent ferries from neighboring Martinique and Guadeloupe, or of course, as is common in the Caribbean, via cruise ship. Dominica is a small island nation located in the eastern Caribbean, with the islands of Guadeloupe found to the north and Martinique lying to the south. Dominica is famous for its natural, volcanic scenery, and the best place to experience this is in the magnificent Trois Pitons National Park. Named for the mountain peak, Morne Trois Pitons, which presides over the island, this is a spectacular area of beauty. Today, the market has found new life though as a center of arts and crafts on the island, showcasing local goods and giving traders and craftspeople a place to sell their unique cultural creations.
Where is located the Port of Roseau Cruise Terminal
Hurricanes have been known to hit the island too, especially during the Caribbean Hurricane Season, which coincides with the end of the wet season. Dominica’s old market in Roseau is an incredibly historic place. This was one of the major trading markets in the Caribbean, and unfortunately, was primarily used a slave-trading market for centuries. With ramshackle streets that were first laid down in the colonial days, museums and old markets to explore. It’s a colorful, cultural and intriguing place to visit on Dominica.
Wade Through Waterfalls
Cruise passengers may find that the port of Roseau has a small but decent tourism district. During our visit, I walked from the cruise port to the other side of Roseau and back again. Dominica, an Anglophone island between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, may well be the most unspoiled of the larger Caribbean islands.
Roseau Botanic Gardens
And although, like almost every Caribbean island, Dominica’s history is intertwined with colonialism and slavery, it’s also home to the only community of direct descendants of the indigenous Caribbean people. There are over 2000 Kalinago people living within the Kalinago territory on the east coast of Dominica, upholding centuries-old traditions and a way of life which is intrinsically linked with the forest. Always travel safely though, be careful of your belongings, especially on public transport, and in the rainy season, be careful in the mountains and on the roads. There is much accommodation to be found around the island, most of it on the low lying coastal regions, particularly on the more sheltered eastern side. Roseau has a great selection of hotels catering to different budgets and it’s a good choice for a stay on the island.
The gardens are just a ten to fifteen minute walk from the cruise pier, at the foot of Morne Bruce hill, and they’re free to visit. Spot the baobab tree which was felled by a hurricane in the 70s, crushing a yellow school bus in the process (luckily there was nobody inside). The gardens are used as much by the locals as by curious tourists, and once in a while you might spot a cricket match taking place here.
The hill was once home to a fortress which protected Roseau, and there are ruins and cannons dotted about the hilltop. Traveling to Dominica is not as easy as traveling to other Caribbean islands in the region. Due to the rugged, volcanic nature of the island – which is the main reason many people visit! To help you plan your trip to Roseau and to Dominica, here is our ultimate guide to visiting the city and the island. From exploring museums to hiking volcanic peaks, every day there’s a chance to experience something new on Dominica. To reach the pool, there is a 20-minute walk with your guide over packed dirt with some inclines.
Dominica Cruise Ports Schedules 2023 - Crew Center
Dominica Cruise Ports Schedules 2023.
Posted: Mon, 19 Oct 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Purple Beach, also referred to as Purple Turtle Beach, is on the northwestern shore of the island, just over a half mile from Portsmouth. Especially when exploring Roseau, watch out for crowded, narrow sidewalks. You might find yourself having to walk in the street at times.
Fort Shirley Dominica Visitor Tips
For a taste of the real Dominica, explore the old market (once a slave-trading market), a colorful riot of fruit, vegetable and flower stalls. The island, covering an area of 285 square miles, is home to a small variety of beaches. Visitors to Dominica will not find white, pristine beaches, but rather black and yellow volcanic sand. Some smaller ships may dock at the Portsmouth Cruise Ship facility on the northwestern tip of the island, about 30 miles northwest of Roseau. The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise shiparrivals from all major cruise lines.
Top Tours & Excursions In Roseau – Dominica
Some excursions include both a city tour and waterfall hike for about the same amount. Eastern Caribbean cruises often stop at either Dominica or the nearby Guadeloupe or Martinique—both of them also rainy islands—while going from the more popular Antigua to St. Lucia. Anyone who wants a package tour that includes Mero and visits to other attractions on the island will pay anywhere from $69 to $150 per person depending on any extra stops and amenities. Dominica is not an ideal location for sunbathing, as the beaches are mostly rugged and rocky. But the coast’s unusual shape makes it beautiful to look at in its own right. Weather on the island averages 77 degrees in winter, 82 in summer, although it's cooler in the mountains, humid in the rain forest and warmer on the coast.
Roseau, the capital and largest city of Dominica, is found on the sheltered, southeastern side of Dominica. A devastating hurricane destroyed much of the gardens in the 1970s, and a large tree even fell on a school bus. The school bus and fallen tree are still on the grounds as a reminder of the fragility of island life during hurricane season. The Roseau Botanic Gardens are one of the most loved sights on the island.
Mero Beach, 12 miles north of the Roseau cruise port, is popular with tourists and locals alike. It is one of the beaches that shore excursion operators are most likely to visit. Dominica cruise port is right in the centre of Roseau, the capital city. It’s a scenic spot, with the colourful houses of the city directly in front of the pier, and a stunning mountainous backdrop directly behind that. You can walk directly from the ship to the city in mere minutes, and there are always plenty of taxis waiting at the end of the pier, as well as a collection of little souvenir stalls along the waterfront. Roseau, Dominica is one of the Caribbean's most scenic and diverse cruise destinations.
Roseau Cruise Ship Berth is located in the heart of downtown Roseau and is within walking distance to shops, restaurants and attractions. Taxis offer a tour of the island and will usually charge $150. A few excursions that take visitors only to Mero Beach usually cost less than $50. Otherwise, some island tours include Mero Beach along with other stops such as Salton Waterfalls, the sulphur springs at Wotten Waven and the baths at Ti Kwen Glo Cho. The cost for such a guided, multi-stop tour will range around $125 to $150. Dominica is a great place to go for ecotourism adventures such as hiking and whitewater rafting.
Instead, it is dense with rainforests, waterfalls and tropical plants and animals. For an idea of what to expect, watch the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie, which was filmed on part on the island. The Dominica cruise port of Roseau is modest by Caribbean standards, but it also is a gateway to one of the region’s best ecotourism islands. The entire trip goes along the coastline, so Purple Beach is a possibility for anyone with a rental car who wants to explore the island.
Island favorites include tee-tee-tee, which are small freshly spawned fish and manicou, which are small opossums. You will find plenty of juices like pineapple, melon and mango along with a wide range of beers, rum and local spirits. Most roads are paved, but driving can be tricky with steep and narrow roads. There are no MPH signs on the island, but go slower, just as you would in any unfamiliar location. The roads are winding and narrow and littered with potholes, so it can be a difficult drive. Driving is on the left side of the road, the use of horns is expected frequently, and if you’re leaving the city, make sure the gas tank is full as gas stations are few and far between.
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