Dominica is a small island nation located in the eastern Caribbean, between Guadeloupe and Martinique. Known for its rainforest-covered mountains, rivers, and volcanic features, it has become a popular destination for eco-tourism and outdoor adventure. While its natural beauty is undeniable, many travelers and expats wonder: Is Dominica safe to travel to or live in 2025?
According to the most recent advisory, the US Department of State classifies Dominica as Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Thus, it suggests that Dominica is among the safest countries in the Caribbean region. Wondering how? Let’s delve into how safe Dominica is in 2025.
What You Will Discover in This Article
Overview of Dominica in 2025
Located in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, Dominica attracts around 200,000 visitors annually due to its tropical climate. This includes both stay-over tourists and cruise ship passengers, many of whom come for the island’s natural beauty and quieter atmosphere.
There are many reasons for this. The island offers numerous places to visit, thanks to its volcanic activity, lush rainforests, rivers, and waterfalls. Tourist attractions in Dominica, like the Boiling Lake, Trafalgar Falls, and hot springs, attract hikers and nature enthusiasts. The capital city, Roseau, is a hub for local culture and commerce, while the interior villages offer a slower pace and a close look at community life.
English is the official language, and the currency in Dominica is the East Caribbean dollar. It is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth, and it became independent from the UK in 1978. Since then, it has continued to build a strong sense of national identity, including recognition of its Kalinago heritage.
Besides, there are many things to do in Dominica for expats and tourists. The island is known for its connection to nature and its cultural events. Annual Celebrations like Mas Domnik and the World Creole Music Festival become the best examples for this perspective.
Entry and Exit Requirements
In order to enter Dominica, some citizens do not need to get a visa, while others require one. If you are a citizen of the US, Canada, the UK, or many European countries, you usually don’t need a visa to enter Dominica for stays no longer than 90 days. You can visit visa-free and enjoy the island without extra paperwork.
However, if you’re from certain countries in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East, you will likely need to apply for a visa before you travel. So, before your trip, you can check the travel requirements.
Also, if you’re interested in making Dominica your second home, you might want to look into Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment program. Through this CBI program, you can get a Dominican passport by making a qualified investment, giving you access to a powerful passport with visa-free travel to many countries.
How Safe is Dominica Compared to Other Caribbean Countries
| Safety and Crime Index by Country | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | Safety Index | Crime Rate |
| Grenada | 80.36 | 19.64 |
| St Kitts and Nevis | 59.98 | 40.02 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 48.90 | 51.10 |
| Dominica | 46.42 | 53.58 |
| St Lucia | 37.52 | 62.48 |
Is Dominica Safe to Travel?
According to Numbeo, Dominica has a 46.42 safety index, indicating moderate safety. Similarly, the US Department of State classifies Dominica as Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. This suggests that you can live or travel safely in Dominica by taking basic precautions.
Plus, the UK Government also indicates Dominica’s low crime rates, stating that you can exercise caution.
1. Safety for Solo Female Travellers
Among other Caribbean Islands, Dominica stands out for its progressive and strong legislative acts for women. Keeping this in mind, it can be inferred that it is one of the safest countries for solo-female travellers in 2025. Condé Nast Traveler recognizes Dominica among the top 16 countries for solo-female travellers.
2. Safety for Americans
The US Department of State classifies Dominica as a Level 1 travel destination, advising Americans to exercise normal precautions. Therefore, Americans can travel safely in Dominica by taking basic precautions, such as:
- Staying aware of your surroundings
- Avoiding isolated areas at night
- Securing valuables
- Following local laws and customs
- Keeping emergency contact information handy
3. Safety for LGBTQ
You can be in a same-sex relationship legally in the Dominican Republic, but same-sex marriage is not yet recognized. While many people are welcoming, showing affection in public might sometimes draw unwanted attention.
Most hotels are happy to host LGBTQ+ guests, but it is a good idea to double-check before you book your accommodation, just to be sure.
4. Swimming Safety
Swimming in Dominica is a fantastic experience, but it is always important to stay safe. You will find the Caribbean side, like Mero Beach, has calmer waters that are great for a swim, while the Atlantic side can have strong currents.
If you are heading to rivers or waterfalls, be extra careful after rain, as water levels can rise quickly. Since not all beaches have lifeguards, it is best not to swim alone and watch out for things like sea urchins.
5. Tap Water Drinkability
In Dominica, tap water is generally safe to drink in most areas, especially in hotels, guesthouses, and urban centers. However, if you are visiting remote or rural regions, you can prefer bottled or filtered clean water, just to be safe. You can also carry a reusable water bottle with a built-in filter.
6. Crime Rates in Dominica
Dominica is considered safer than many Caribbean countries. In 2021, the crime rate dropped to 13.8 per 100,000 people, down from 20.8 in 2020. The murder rate also decreased, with 10 homicides recorded in 2024 compared to 14 in 2023.
Accordingly, illegal drug-related crimes have been on the rise. Some violent incidents, including gang-related and domestic violence cases, have also been reported.
Despite this, violent crime remains relatively rare. To stay safe, avoid isolated areas at night, keep your valuables secure, and stay alert when you’re out and about. With these simple steps, you can secure your safety.
7. Stray Animals
There are stray animals in Dominica, and locals do not overfeed them. However, they typically are not aggressive toward humans, but it is always best to take safety precautions if you are afraid of dogs and cats, and do not get too close to them.
8. Hurricane Season
There is the Atlantic Hurricane season in Dominica, which highlights the vulnerability of the country towards heavy storms and hurricanes. The season generally starts between June 1 and November 30.
During this period, it is recommended that tourists not travel, and even if they do, they must follow the local authorities’ updates related to the weather conditions.
The history of the land witnessed many severe storms and hurricanes. One of them is Hurricane Maria, which took place on September 18, 2017. As a category 5 storm, it caused huge devastation to the island’s infrastructure, and many people were hurt.
9. Driving
Although there is public transportation in Dominica, it is highly limited and not well-developed. So, many travellers or expats prefer to rent a car and drive wherever they want to go, or join the tour groups. If you prefer the car rental option once you land at Douglas Charles Airport, you have to have an international driving licence to drive.
If you do not have one, you can ask your car rental company to get a temporary Dominican driving licence.
When it comes to driving conditions, driving is on the left side of the road, and the road conditions can get worse as you move into rural areas. In order to stay safe, it is recommended to avoid driving at night and to prefer driving slowly.
Best Time to Visit Dominica
Now that we have figured out Dominica’s safety considerations, it is time to move on with the best time to visit the Island. Well, it depends on your interests.
If you prefer hot summer nights and sunny weather, you can go there in December or April. You can join the outdoor activities, such as hiking, whale watching, or even diving. However, you must be ready to pay more for accommodation and flights as it is the peak season.
On the other hand, if you prefer lower accommodation and flight prices, you can go there during the hurricane season, which is between June to November. If you want to experience the local culture, you can go to the World Creole Music Festival in late October, or Dive Fest in June to July. Note that you must follow the authorities’ warning in case of a natural disaster.
Is Dominica Safe to Live
For expats, moving to a new place can be challenging, and often comes with this question: How safe will my new home be? If you decide to relocate to Dominica, we can say it is moderately safe among Caribbean nations.
All you need to do is take safety measures, which include:
- Do not carry large amounts of money; keep your valuables safe.
- Follow up on local authorities’ warnings in case of tropical storms or heavy rainfalls.
- Have comprehensive health insurance
- If you go swimming, be aware of warning flags
- If you go alone at night, prefer tourist places
FAQs on Dominica’s Safety
Is Dominica expensive?
The country is generally affordable; however, there are also luxury resorts and hostels to stay in.
Can I wear camouflage clothing in Dominica?
No, you cannot wear camouflage clothing as it is illegal to wear it if you are not a military person in Dominica.
Is it worth going to Dominica?
If you are a nature lover, we can say that you will definitely love Dominica, as it will be worth it. You can hike on the island’s mountains, watch whales while they are swimming, or join trekking groups to explore the beauties of the land.
What language do they speak in Dominica?
The official language is English. However, you can hear locals talk in French and Creole.
Are people friendly in Dominica?
Dominicans are mostly friendly to expats and tourists, reflecting how full of life they are and carrying the island’s spirit.
