New York City 4.5 hrs

Boston 5.5 hrs

Miami 3 hrs

Philadelphia 4.25 hrs

Los Angeles 7.75 hrs

Chicago 7 hrs

Dallas-Forth Worth 7 hrs

San Francisco 9 hrs

Roseau: The island's capital showcases fine examples of Victorian and post-colonial wooden structures. The promenade along the new Bay Front is a charming place to take a stroll and watch the fishermen. The Dominica Museum includes displays on the geological formation of the island, photographs, Carib tools, and antique colonial furniture. Roseau is also the best place on the island for dining and nightlife.

Portsmouth: The island's second largest town sits on Prince Rupert Bay. Nearby are pretty beaches and the serene Indian River. Here, visitors can see banana and sugar-cane fields.

Morne Trois Pitons National Park: This park is a 17,000-acre heavily forested paradise. Here, hikers will find serene Emerald Pool, Boiling Lake and the volcanic landscape of the Valley of Desolation.

Geographically, Dominica is part of the Leeward Islands, though historically it has been grouped with the Windward Islands. The landscape includes volcanic peaks, mountain streams and rivers, dense forests, quiet lakes, waterfalls, geysers, and boiling volcanic pools. There are beaches of both volcanic black and golden sands.

Daytime temperatures stay between 75° and 85° virtually all year long, but it can get a bit chillier in the early morning and at night. Trade winds keep the air comfortable. The heart of hurricane season lasts from late August to early November, though strikes are rare and there is plenty of advance notice to prepare. When threatened by a hurricane strike, one should expect a 2-day displacement from evacuation to safe return.

Dominica, like the rest of the Caribbean, has become a year-round destination. The most popular season runs from mid-December through mid-April, which is the driest season. Visitors who go during the off-season -- mid-April through mid-December -- may see some brief showers, but will share the island with fewer visitors.

Dominica is known for its magnificent natural beauty, from untouched rain forests, to waterfalls, to incredible volcanoes

The island is home to the best hiking in the Caribbean, and the whale-watching and scuba diving opportunities are unsurpassed.

Hiking: The best way to see Dominica's amazing geological features is to hike through them. Guides are available to take visitors through Morne Trois Pitons National Park, home to Boiling Lake, the world's second largest solfatara (gas- and steam-emitting) lake, reaching 201 feet across. Also here is Titou Gorge, a narrow, deep ravine that was created from cooling lava. At this gorge, hikers can enjoy the hot spring waters at Sulphur Springs and swim to a beautiful waterfall. Hikers also embrace the challenge of climbing 4,700-foot-high Morne Diablotins, the island's tallest peak.

Beaches: Dominica's black-sand beaches are surrounded by gorgeous turquoise waters. Picard Beach on the northwest coast is the best on the island. The 2-mile strip of grayish sand is surrounded by palm trees, and nearby hotels serve food and drinks. The northeast coast is home to the island's prettiest beaches -- L'Anse Noire, Hodges, Woodford Hill Bay, and Hampstead. Snorkelers and divers flock to the southwest coast for the clear waters and underwater walls at Soufriere Bay Beach and Scotts Head Beach.

Scuba diving: Spectacular scuba diving takes place off Dominica. Dramatic drop-offs, walls, and pinnacles are intertwined with arches, ledges, and overhangs. Divers will see countless sponges, corals, sea horses, frog-fish, batfish and flying gunards. Island dive shops take visitors to dive spots and offer certification training.

Snorkeling: The snorkeling is just as good as the diving, with more than 30 sites right off the coast. The best spots are on the western side of the island, where more than 190 species of vibrantly colored fish and the closeness of the reefs to the shore make snorkeling the best in the Caribbean. Don't miss Champagne Beach, so called due to the volcanic hot springs along the ocean floor, which send up streams of tiny wobbling bubbles.

Swimming: The island has 365 rivers and numerous waterfalls that empty into refreshing ponds. One of the best swimming spots is Emerald Pool, below a 20-foot cascade.

Deep-Sea Fishing: Fish thrive in Dominica's waters year-round. Anglers are likely to catch wahoo, dolphin, tuna, and marlin. Full- or half-day excursions are available from several tour shops, most of which supply bait and rods, as well as refreshments.

Whale-watching: Tours operate daily in season, and visitors are likely to see sperm whales, pilot whales, killer whales, and dolphins.

The Carib Indian Reservation: In the early 1900s, the English moved the remaining Caribs to a settlement of 8 villages on the eastern coast, where they survive today by fishing, farming, and selling woven baskets and mats, as well as dugout canoes.

Cabrits National Park: Just north of Portsmouth, this 1,300-acre park encompasses ruined fortifications that once covered an entire hillside. Fort Shirley, which features a small museum, is quite impressive.

Shopping: At the Old Market Plaza, which was once a slave-trading market, shoppers find fresh produce and crafts. At Tropicrafts Island Mats, visitors find grass rugs woven in intricate patterns, as well as handmade dolls and other handcrafted items.

Visitors to Dominica have their choice of Creole dishes, from simple to exotic. Wherever you go, you're likely to see "mountain chicken" (frogs' legs), practically a national dish. Crab backs (stuffed crabshells) are another island specialty everyone should try!

Gourmet

La Robe Creole: Set in an intimate brick building near the harbor, this has been considered the island's best restaurant for almost a quarter of a century. Diners can start with callaloo soup with coconut, and move on to Dominican favorites like freshwater shrimp and crayfish, or mountain chicken. The scrumptious desserts include tropical fruit and coconut pie. 3 Victoria Street, Roseau

4 Seasons Restaurant: Celebrated for fine French/Belgian cuisine with a Creole touch, this island landmark leans on local ingredients (fish and lobster fresh from the village fishermen, and local herbs, vegetables, and fruits selected at the market or taken from their own kitchen garden). A friendly crew staffs the room, where you dine either in the open air or on the spacious terrace with its magnificent sea view. Sunset Bay Resort, Batalie Beach, Coulibistrie

Highly Recommended

World of Food: This charming patio restaurant was once the home of author Jean Rhys. Dine under a mango tree on local fish cakes, black pudding, and homemade soups. Other specialties include fish steak, curried goat, chicken-filled roti, breadfruit puffs, and conch. The rum punch is the best on the island! 48 Cork Street, Roseau

Waterfront Restaurant: Elegant and romantic, this a la carte eatery delivers a wide choice of Creole-style International and local cuisine masterfully prepared. Dine on a deck over the water, or indoors overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The weekly "Taste of Dominica" lunch buffet features local delicacies, and Monday is barbecue night on the sun terrace, accompanied by a local steel band. Victoria Street, Roseau

Local Flair

Pearl's Cuisine: This eatery is housed in a gingerbread house with a balcony above the quaint downtown streets. Favorite dishes include baked chicken in Creole sauce, mountain chicken, and fresh crayfish. Lobster, pork chops, curried goat and rice, and spareribs are other specialties.50 King George V Street, Roseau

Cornerhouse Cafe: Centrally located and easy to find, this funky colonial house-turned-cafe is all about comfy chairs, high-speed Internet access, a book exchange, and a simple menu that emphasizes Creole dishes and bistro items like burgers, salads, and sandwiches. There's a wraparound veranda overlooking the street, the perfect spot to sip some locally-grown coffee. 6 King George V Street, Roseau

Romantic

Papillotee Wilderness Retreat: This restaurant is set amidst exotic flowers, age-old trees, and soft sunlight, overlooking lovely rivers and mountains. Some of the dishes, such as river shrimp and flying fish, are hard to find anywhere else. Other dishes are built around the island's fresh fruit and produce, like the Rainforest Chicken sauteed with orange, papaya, and banana, and wrapped in a banana leaf. Wednesday is barbecue night. Trafalgar Falls Road

River Rock Cafe: This small roadside restaurant and bar near the Papillote Wilderness Retreat sits just below the 2 Trafalgar Falls with a deck that overlooks the river and rain forest. Music fills the cozy room, a great backdrop for genuine Creole home-cooked meals like mountain chicken, callalou soup, and shrimp curry. Reservations required for dinner only. Near Trafalgar Falls

The nightlife on Dominica is subdued, although many of the bars and hotels offer live music.

The Castaways Beach Hotel: This bar offers weekend entertainment with traditional local music. In the winter season, the hotel sponsors barbecues on the beach with live music.

The Warehouse: This is the island's major dance club. Disco, reggae, and other music plays until 5:00am in this 200-year-old stone building that was once a rum house.

Wykie's Tropical Bar: Locals and tourists fill up this bar, where tropical drinks are served while calypso bands entertain.

Qclub: Friday nights bring nonstop energy to this bar, with local and American music playing until dawn.

Symes Zee's: Home to the island's most celebrated blues musician, Symes Zee, this is a great spot to relax. Patrons take in the blues, jazz, and reggae, and enjoy Cuban cigars.

Carnival: A major celebration in Dominica, this French festival brings calypso contests, feasts, shows, masquerades, and parties. February

DomFesta: The Dominican Festival of Creative Arts celebrates music, dance, drama, fine arts, culture, cuisine, and literary arts. June

Creole Day: This is when Dominicans celebrate their Creole heritage. Women dress up in madras costumes, and men wear dark trousers and white shirts. All business is conducted in Creole, and restaurants serve traditional dishes. Folk dancing, jing ping bands, and storytelling take place all over the island. October

Independence Day: Calypso competitions, speeches, and processions take place during this celebration. November

The World Zouk-Cadence Festival: The streets are filled with musicians playing their many versions of the island-born zouk music. November

The World Creole Music Festival: This festival brings 3 days of music from Caribbean musicians, who play zouk, bouyan, calypso, and reggae. November

Wear lightweight, casual clothing throughout the year. In winter, nonetheless, it's a good idea to pack a light sweater jacket, since it can get cooler at night in the mountains. Bathing suits and cover-ups should be kept to the beaches.

We strongly advise that you confirm the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.

Sunburn & Heatstroke: The tropical sun can be quite harsh, so wear plenty of sunblock and a hat, and drinks lots of water.

Currency: The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), although the US dollar and the Euro are accepted everywhere on the island.

Driving: Driving is on the left side of the road. A local permit is required and can be obtained at the airports, car rental agencies, and Traffic Department (High Street, Roseau).

English is the official language, but the national language, Creole French, is spoken by a good part of the population.

Electricity is 220/240 volts AC (50 cycles), so you'll need an adapter and a transformer. Some hotels have transformers, but it's best to bring your own.

We strongly advise that you confirm the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.

Entry: Passports are highly recommended, but not necessary. You can enter with proof of citizenship like a birth certificate with a raised seal and a government-issued photo ID. Upon arrival you will also need to show an ongoing or return ticket.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: Effective January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including US citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to US citizens traveling to or returning directly from a US territory. US citizens returning directly from a US territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. US territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Dominica Customs: Each visitor can bring in personal and household effects, as well as 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, and 40 ounces of liquor or wine. There is a departure tax of $12 per person over 12 years old.

US Customs: US citizens returning from Dominica are allowed to bring back $600 worth of duty-free goods if you've stayed away longer than 48 hours and haven't been out of the US within 30 days of the current trip. Anything over the $600 limit will be taxed at a flat rate of 10% per $1,000 of merchandise.

US Embassy: There is no US Embassy or Consulate in Dominica. The US Embassy in Barbados is responsible for American Citizens Services on the island of Dominica. US Embassy, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetown, Barbados, phone 246-436-4950, fax 246-429-5246.

Dominica Division of Tourism: PO Box 293, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies, phone 767-448-2045, fax 767-448-5840, email tourism@dominica.dm

New York: Dominica Tourist Office, 110-64 Queens Boulevard, PO Box 427, Forest Hills, NY 11375-6347, phone 718-261-9615 or toll-free 888-645-5637, fax 718-261-0702, email dominicany@dominica.dm