My wife and are considering making the trek to Dominica. Yes, flying out of Chicago I must go through San Juan. But I have 2 hours layover going and only 1 hour and 20 minutes going home. I have heard some stories of not counting on making scheduled flights? Planning on staying in Ft. Young. They have a 7 night/5 day package. I want to be sure that I have enough time to do an excursion topside. What do you recommend? Do I really need a car? Are the restaurants in Rosseau within walking distance? Is safety a factor that needs to be considered? Any information would be appreciated.
Dominica - Best Plan for 7 nights/6days
- Thread starter Revid1
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Izzysan
Registered
Once you check in downstairs your bags and you will be on the boat from the dock on the bay front, the boat will be there at or about 0845 daily,back by lunch you'll have plenty of time to explore the island in the afternoons. KHATTS who will also handle your transfers is one of the better tour guide businesses on island and all tours can be run through them, costs will include park fees where applicable. If you must hire a car, determine this once you have reached the hotel, after you experience driving on the roads, besides, you may be too tired after diving to drive.
Restaurants are all within walking distance, FTY has a very good one, across the road is Le Bistro, a short walk south is Talipot, and many others within a 100 m walk.
Restaurants are all within walking distance, FTY has a very good one, across the road is Le Bistro, a short walk south is Talipot, and many others within a 100 m walk.
diverrex
Contributor
The little planes leaving Dominica are often late. An excursion to the Emerald Pool or Trafalgar Falls are often done in the afternoon after the morning dives. Do make sure to get up into the rainforest, it's spectacular.You probably don't need a car. The bar restaurant at Ft. Young is very good and quite reasonable. The regular resturant there is a little pricey but also good. There are a number of places within walking distance for lunch and dinners, as well as all of the shopping that you'll need. Ft. Young is an excellent choice. The diving in Dominica is great. Enjoy.
Here is a link to some information on Dominica from a trip we took there in June 2009. Diverrex.com
Here is a link to some information on Dominica from a trip we took there in June 2009. Diverrex.com
Tim Ingersoll
Contributor
My thoughts having been there last January: 1) Forget the car. The orads are unmarked and there are plenty of taxis; 2) You will not make that connection. I had the same flight plan going through Antigua and there is just no way to move that fast. Fort Young is the best hotel on the island and you will not be disappointed.
All around great information. A little concerning not being able to make the connection on the way home. Just wondering why Expedia books a departure from Rosseau at 3:10. Are there no planes that go out earlier so that I could make the connection in San Juan that departs at 6:05? AA goes to Hartford scheduled to arrive there at 10:05 pm. I have to overnight there to get to Chicago the next day.
Glad to see that we can make some of the tours after diving. I would like to dive for 5 days. Does Dive Dominica stay on the south part of the island around Scots Head? It looks like there are plenty of dive sites. Has anyone done a night dive there? Again, appreciate the help.
Glad to see that we can make some of the tours after diving. I would like to dive for 5 days. Does Dive Dominica stay on the south part of the island around Scots Head? It looks like there are plenty of dive sites. Has anyone done a night dive there? Again, appreciate the help.
diverrex
Contributor
I think the American Eagle flight Dominca to San Juan only runs once a day.We had to overnight in San Juan and leave early the next morning. Just asking but since you overnight in Hartford to get to Chicago why wouldn't you overnight in San Juan and take the morning direct flight from San Juan to Chicago? Also make sure you pay attention to the baggage limits on the American Eagle leg, if I remember correctly it's one bag under 50 lbs. and second bag under 20 lbs. for the checked luggage. It's hard to get to Dominica but well worth the trouble. I'd love to go back.
Dive Dominica will stay around Scotts Head for their dives. We did a night dive at the Champagne site, it was a really nice dive, and when we surfaced there were more stars in the sky than I've ever seen.
Dive Dominica will stay around Scotts Head for their dives. We did a night dive at the Champagne site, it was a really nice dive, and when we surfaced there were more stars in the sky than I've ever seen.
I have been to Dominica twice 2008 & 2009. I made my connection from Philadelphia both times but with little time to spare. It may have been luck but I didn't sweat it.
A rental car was the way to go for me since I would have been car sick for an hour and a half in a taxi (van). The roads are not for the faint of heart and it was slighty difficult to navigate from the airport to soufriere and really difficult to find the right road to start the return to the airport when we left. It was nice to have a car to do our own tours after diving since we didn't have to be at a tour location at a certain time. We went to the Screws Spa and Trafalgar Falls. Would have loved to do more (Emerald falls) but chose to relax a few days after diving.
As mentioned, the Ft. Young is a great hotel, though we chose a smaller dive op in Soufriere call Nature Island and loved them.
Plenty of restaurants within walking distance of Ft. Young. We felt safe even though there are a few beggars who will bother you if you let them. We were told to be firm with them and that they would go away. We found this to be true.
Dominica diving is pristine in my opinion and was one of the best trips ever. I would love to go back. Feel free to look at my Photos Karen Neptune's Photos
Take your time when dive Champagne and look for small stuff in the sand, it's spectacular and warm.
A rental car was the way to go for me since I would have been car sick for an hour and a half in a taxi (van). The roads are not for the faint of heart and it was slighty difficult to navigate from the airport to soufriere and really difficult to find the right road to start the return to the airport when we left. It was nice to have a car to do our own tours after diving since we didn't have to be at a tour location at a certain time. We went to the Screws Spa and Trafalgar Falls. Would have loved to do more (Emerald falls) but chose to relax a few days after diving.
As mentioned, the Ft. Young is a great hotel, though we chose a smaller dive op in Soufriere call Nature Island and loved them.
Plenty of restaurants within walking distance of Ft. Young. We felt safe even though there are a few beggars who will bother you if you let them. We were told to be firm with them and that they would go away. We found this to be true.
Dominica diving is pristine in my opinion and was one of the best trips ever. I would love to go back. Feel free to look at my Photos Karen Neptune's Photos
Take your time when dive Champagne and look for small stuff in the sand, it's spectacular and warm.
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