Safety in Dominica

Overall: Crime is low and people are open and quick to help with directions. In Roseau, keep an eye on bags in a crowd and leave nothing visible in a car.

Weather: The real danger here is tropical rain rather than people. Downpours cause flash floods in the rivers and turn mountain trails lethally slippery.

Hurricane season: From June to November the storm risk climbs and roads close. Always check forecasts before heading into the forest.

Currents: On the Atlantic coast the waves and rips are dangerous even for strong swimmers. Swim on the western Caribbean side instead.

Hiking: Never go to Boiling Lake alone or without registering with the rangers. In the Valley of Desolation it is easy to lose your way in mist or burn yourself on hot vents.

Medical: Public clinics manage minor injuries, but anything serious means being flown out. Insurance covering adventure activities is genuinely essential here.

Insects: The jungle has plenty of mosquitoes and midges, most active after rain. Use repellent and wear long sleeves for evening forest walks.

Dominica, the "nature island", is the most mountainous and least developed of the Eastern Caribbean. There is no mass tourism here and crime is low.

Roseau. Petty theft on cruise ship days. Nights are broadly calm.

Guides. Morne Trois Pitons National Park, the Boiling Lake and the waterfalls require guides, and rightly so: the trails are hard. Arrange through your hotel or the tourist office.

Taxis. Fares are fixed and published. Confirm the price.

Car hire. A local permit is required. Roads are mountainous, steep and narrow with drops. Four-wheel drive is advisable.

Currency. The East Caribbean dollar; US dollars are accepted.

Camouflage is prohibited for civilians.

Drugs. The law is strict.

Weapons and ammunition. Importing them is a criminal matter.

Drones. Permission is required.

National parks. Entry is charged and leaving the trails is prohibited. The Boiling Lake trail is six hours return over difficult ground, guided only.

Whale watching. Dominica is one of the few places where sperm whales live year-round. Approach rules are strict, and swimming with them requires a permit and a licensed operator.

Marine life. Collecting coral is prohibited.

Hurricanes. The season runs June to November. The island was devastated by Maria in 2017 and took years to recover.

Driving on the left.

Vaccinations. None mandatory; a yellow fever certificate is required from arrivals out of endemic countries.

Dengue and chikungunya. Present.

Water. Dominica's tap water is of good quality; the island is rich in fresh water. It is drinkable in the towns.

Trekking is the main risk. Dominica's trails are demanding: slippery rock, steep climbs and tropical downpours. The Boiling Lake route has produced injuries and disorientation among tourists. Guided only, in shoes with grip and with water in reserve.

The Boiling Lake and the Valley of Desolation. A geothermal area: hot springs, steam and toxic gases in hollows. Do not leave the trail.

The sea. Coastal currents can be strong and sandy beaches are few.

Healthcare. The hospital in Roseau is basic. Anything serious means evacuation to Martinique or Guadeloupe, both close by. Insurance is needed.

Emergency number is 999.

Dominica is a calm country with low crime.

Police. Correct, and English is official.

Reporting theft. Reports are taken; cases are rare.

At night. Roseau and the tourist areas are calm.

Nature. Most incidents involve trekking: falls, disorientation and hypothermia in mountain rain.

Roads. The mountain hairpins demand experience; do not drive at night.

What actually matters. In Dominica the danger comes from nature rather than people. This is an island for hiking and whale watching, and the main thing is not to overestimate yourself on the trail.

Emergency number is 999.