Dominica

Dominica
Information
Language:	English
Capital:	Roseau
Population:	72,514
Currency:	East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Hitchability:	<rating country='dm' />
More info:	Hitchbase
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<map lat='15.41' lng='-61.37' zoom='10' view='3' country=Dominica' height='350'/>

Dominica is a small island nation in the Caribbean located in a chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles.

It has surprisingly lot of highways and shares something with Germany − no speed limits outside populated areas! Enjoying flying through very unique beautiful forests standing in the back of a utility/pickup/ute/truck. Very friendly people. Spend ten minutes walking out the Roseau as you'll get a lift quicker. Some out of the way areas have very little traffic but 50% will stop for you.

Hitching is easy and people are very friendly. Watch out for the cars that have TX/HX-plates. They're taxis and might want money.

Hitching onto boats is best in Portsmouth, as most will anchor there and you can catch them docking at the single pier, whereas Roseau has a little swell and still have up to about 20 international boats and has multiple piers quite distant from each other. Be careful in Portsmouth bay.

One note on couchsurfing, if a local accepts you be prepared that you may never learn their address/hear from them again as the "Yes means peace" philosophy runs strong in Dominica. In other words, "say yes but mean no", so as to not cause offence and avoid conflict... this of course only makes sense in the short term and does offend/create conflict long term, plus it also leaves you couchless).

Hitchhiking a boat

If you are looking for a boat heading to The Saints, Marie-Galante or Guadalupe, your best shot would be to look in Portsmouth. Try asking around at the dinghy dock in front of PAYS (Portsmouth Association of Yacht Service), they host a party for sailors on Sunday night. The problem with cruisers in Dominica is that most of them don't really leave their boat, they get picked up by the river tour guys and dropped off at their doorstep. You can try at the ATM located near the Indian River entrance, that's where they take out their cash to pay for the river tour. If you're lucky enough to be staying on a boat while looking for your next ride, don't hesitate to swim from boat to boat and ask where they are heading.

Experience

Hitchhikernick- hitched here for week in may 2024. some of the more remote roads (far North to Penville and South through Delices) I had to walk quite a few KM. Most of main roads worked pretty well, though i did get a few scolding comments off taxi/bus drivers and locals, that I had no right to go to there country and expect free rides.  i just kept calm and continued with no problems.  beware that road between delices and petite savanne isnt passable in a vehicle due to a bridge collapsing a few years ago, you have to walk it.  also be wary when taking photos in town in certain parts like the ferry port area, they wanted me to pay but i refused without incident, though did get some aggressive language thrown my way. average waiting time including back roads is around 1 hour for me.