Roseau
Dominica’s small capital, named for the reeds of its river, where crooked French-laid streets run down to the sea and the forested mountains begin at the edge of town.
- Arrival
- Douglas-Charles · DOM
- To the city
- About 56 km from DOM
- Private jets
- Clear at DOM; light aircraft into Canefield
- Best time
- February to April
The city
Reeds, a river and an old fort.
Roseau stands on the west coast where the Roseau River meets the Caribbean, on the site of an Island Carib village called Sairi. The French named it after the reeds along the riverbank; the British built Fort Young here in 1770, lost it to France eight years later and took the island back in 1784. The old streets still bend outwards from the Old Market Plaza, and the fort is now a hotel on the waterfront.
Behind the town the land rises steeply. Morne Bruce looks down over the rooftops and Woodbridge Bay, and some ten kilometres east, inside Morne Trois Pitons National Park, lies the Boiling Lake. February to April are the driest months; from August to November each month brings more than 230 mm of rain.
- Old Market Plaza The point from which Roseau’s crooked French-era streets fan out across the old town.
- Morne Bruce A hillside lookout over downtown and Woodbridge Bay, best when a liner is in port.
- The Boiling Lake About ten kilometres east of town, within Morne Trois Pitons National Park.
Arriving
Across the island from the airport.
Douglas-Charles, Dominica’s jet airport, sits on the north-east coast near Marigot, about 56 km from Roseau. Canefield, three kilometres north of town, is a short strip for light aircraft.
- Antigua 40 min
- San Juan 1 h 10
- Atlanta 4 h 20
- Toronto 5 h 00
- Cape Town 13 h 15 long-range jet
When to go
February to April.
The capital's coast stays at 29 to 31 °C by day, with water ranging from 26 to 29 °C. February to April are the months under 100 mm of rain. The heaviest falls come from August to November, at around 240 to 250 mm a month.
- 29° J 136 27°
- 29° F 87 26°
- 30° M 93 26°
- 30° A 87 27°
- 31° M 137 28°
- 31° J 185 28°
- 31° J 108 28°
- 31° A 246 29°
- 31° S 250 29°
- 31° O 239 29°
- 30° N 252 28°
- 29° D 176 28°
Where to stay
The fort in town, the north coast beyond.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
-
InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa A 151-room resort on the edge of Cabrits National Park, described by the island’s tourism authority as five-star.
-
Secret Bay Villas on the cliffs and in the trees above two secluded beaches, holding two MICHELIN Keys.
- Fort Young Hotel A four-star hotel on the site of the British fort of 1770, next to the ferry terminal for the French islands.
Where to dine
Where to book on the island.
No MICHELIN Guide covers Dominica. The Palisades is a Fodor’s Choice in Fodor’s Dominica guide, with Fodor’s price band; Zing Zing at Secret Bay is listed by Relais & Châteaux.
- The Palisades Restaurant Fodor’s Choice International and Dominican, seafood $$$ Fort Young Hotel, Roseau
- Zing Zing Relais & Châteaux Six-course menu of the day, local produce Secret Bay, Portsmouth, about 30 km north
Flying to Roseau?
Choose how you arrive.
A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.