Due to the very poor medical care, travel health insurance that includes return transport in an emergency should be taken out before you travel. Treatments must be paid for in advance. An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and protected according to the temperatures on the way. Check indexdotcom for more information.
Notes vaccinations
[1] A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for all travelers who plan to enter the country within 6 days of staying in an infected area designated by the WHO and who are over one year old. Excluded are travelers who have not left the transit area in the infected areas and transit travelers in Dominica.[2] Typhoid can occur, poliomyelitis cannot. Typhoid vaccination is recommended for backpacking and long-term stays. [3] Tap water is chlorinated and relatively clean, but may cause a mild stomach upset. Bottled water is recommended during the first few days of vacation. Water outside the cities is not always sanitized and should be sterilized or bought packaged. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. Dysenteries (amoebic dysentery and bacterial dysentery) are widespread. Milk is pasteurized and local dairy products are safe to consume. Travelers should take special hygiene precautions before consuming fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish and seafood. Warnings are given against eating and buying food from cheap street restaurants and markets. Caution should be exercised before consuming reef fish and seafood, which are offered as delicacies in dining restaurants, especially between April and September, due to possible algae poisoning.
Other risks
Schistosomiasis pathogens are isolated and concentrated in some ponds and rivers, so swimming and wading in inland waterways should be avoided. Well maintained swimming pools with chlorinated water are safe. Mosquito-borne dengue fever can also occur. An effective insect repellent is recommended. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. As on other Caribbean islands, HIV/AIDS is widespread on Dominica and a great danger for those who take the risk of infection: Unprotected sexual contacts, unclean syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain and conjunctivitis. The infection often goes unnoticed or only has mild symptoms. The isolated deaths documented so far were mainly related to other pre-existing conditions. The Federal Foreign Office advises pregnant women against non-essential travel to areas with current Zika outbreaks because the virus is suspected of causing microcephaly in the unborn child. There is neither a vaccination nor a medicinal prophylaxis. Consistent compliance with personal mosquito protection measures is recommended.
Money
Currency
1 East Caribbean Dollar = 100 cents. Currency code: EC$, XCD (ISO code). Banknotes come in denominations of EC$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5; Coins in circulation: 1 EC$ and 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere. The East Caribbean Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar.
Credit cards
American Express, Visa and Mastercard are accepted by most hotels, restaurants, car rental companies and travel agencies. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Bank cards The Girocard (formerly EC card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol. In Dominica you can withdraw money from the ATMs of foreign banks (RBC, Scotia) with the bank customer card. ATMs are available in Dominica, especially in the larger cities and in the capital. To be on the safe side, travelers should have an alternative money supply such as credit cards and cash in addition to the bank customer card. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are hardly available in Austria. Travelers checks are accepted at a few banks in Dominica in Roseau and Canefield. Traveller’s checks should be made out in US dollars.
Bank opening hours
Mon-Thu 08.00-15.00, Fri 08.00-17.00.
Foreign exchange regulations
Unlimited import of local currency and foreign currencies, obligation to declare. The export of national currency and foreign currency is permitted up to the amount declared.
Currency Exchange
Foreign currencies can be exchanged in banks and exchange offices. US Dollars, British Pounds and Euros are accepted throughout the island.
