Essentials
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (UK style) sockets.
- SIM Card
- Digicel and Flow (located on Bay Street); 10GB data plan approx. $30 USD.
- Banking for Expats
- National Bank of Dominica (NBD) on Bay Street; cards accepted at larger resorts, cash needed for local markets.
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses, eco-lodges, and villas; Monthly rates range from $600 to $1,800 USD.
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; major hotels and supermarkets (IGA) take cards, but street vendors are cash-only.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local sites like Dominica Blue; average $60-$120 per night.
- Budget Accommodation
- Picard Beach Cottages or Riverside Hotel (approx. $50-$80/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Picard (near the beach and former medical school campus) for accessibility and amenities.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Picard or Balance; higher density of cafes, fiber internet, and walkable services.
- City
- Portsmouth, Saint John Parish, Dominica
- Population
- Approximately 3,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available via Digicel/Flow; speeds average 50-100 Mbps in coastal areas.
- Currency & Banking
- Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD). Fixed rate: 1 USD ≈ 2.70 XCD.
- Tap Water
- Generally safe to drink, sourced from mountain springs, though bottled water is preferred by some during heavy rains.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Work-ready spaces at Secret Bay (high-end) or the Dominica Innovation Hub in Roseau (1 hour away).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Madiba Beach Cafe on Picard Beach; reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets.
- Networking Events
- Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) local meetups; Work in Nature (WIN) visa community chats.
- Social Events for Expats
- Sunday BBQ at Purple Turtle Beach Club; 'Expats in Dominica' Facebook Group meetups.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; use local drivers like 'Nature Island Taxi' (WhatsApp based). Fixed rates apply.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Road-Runner Rentals in Picard; approx. $25-$35 USD per day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Purple Turtle Beach (walking distance) or Batibou Beach (20 mins drive north).
- Top Regional Airline
- interCaribbean Airways and Silver Airways via San Juan/Barbados.
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines (direct from Miami to DOM airport).
- Highway Access
- Edward Oliver Leblanc Highway connects Portsmouth to the capital, Roseau.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Portsmouth Bus Terminal (Bay Street) for colorful local 'H' minibuses.
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; pay as you go. Portsmouth to Roseau is approx. $8 XCD ($3 USD).
- Regional Travel
- L'Express des Îles ferry from Roseau to Martinique, Guadeloupe, and St. Lucia.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Portsmouth Hospital (New Hospital near Picard); major cases go to Dominica China Friendship Hospital in Roseau.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Secret Bay Wellness Pavilion; high-end yoga and meditation sessions.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Salty's Gym in Picard; basic equipment, approx. $40 USD monthly.
- Laundry Services
- Picard Laundry Services (near the old Ross University campus).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- No mainstream apps; direct delivery via WhatsApp from 'One Stop Shop' or local eateries.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Callaloo soup or mountain chicken (land frog - seasonal/regulated).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Keepin' It Real (on the beach); serves fresh local vegetables and ital-inspired dishes.
- Best Dessert Spots
- The Blue Bay Restaurant for coconut tarts and local fruit sorbets.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Portsmouth Saturday Market for fresh produce; IGA Supermarket for imports.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- ShopDM; local delivery of island crafts and essentials.
- Grocery Delivery
- Direct messaging via WhatsApp with Whitchurch IGA Portsmouth.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Picard 'Strip'; numerous small bars and the Purple Turtle Beach Club.
- Local Brewery
- Dominica Brewery (Kubuli Beer); $2 USD per bottle at local 'snacks'.
- Wine Bars
- Zing Zing Restaurant at Secret Bay; curated international wine list.
- Street Food Stalls
- Bay Street stalls selling saltfish cakes and grilled corn on Friday nights.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Fusion Village Restaurant (Roseau) or Tomato's (Picard) for pizza and pasta.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Cabrit National Park and the Indian River (rowing boat tours).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Fort Shirley Museum within Cabrits National Park.
- Historical Sites
- Fort Shirley; an 18th-century British garrison.
- Religious Sites
- Portsmouth Roman Catholic Church; historic architecture on the waterfront.
- Annual Events
- Carnival (Mas Domnik) in Feb/March; World Creole Music Festival (October).
- Cultural Districts
- The central Bay Street market area.
- Theater Venues
- The Old Mill Cultural Centre (located in Roseau, 1 hour away).
- Local Markets
- Portsmouth Saturday Market (starts at 6:00 AM) at the north end of town.
- Music Scene
- Live Bouyon and Reggae at Purple Turtle on Sunday afternoons.
- Street Art
- Murals on the walls of the Picard district depicting Kalinago heritage.
- Cooking Classes
- Local home-stay classes organized by 'Experience Dominica' guides.
- Art Galleries
- Antrim Valley Art Gallery (near Canefield, 45 mins drive).
- Historic Buildings
- Officers' Quarters at Fort Shirley.
- Local Heritage
- Kalinago Barana Autê (Carib Territory), 45 minutes east, showcasing indigenous culture.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Indian River; boat tours through mangrove forests (approx. $20 USD).
- National Parks Nearby
- Morne Diablotin National Park; home to the Sisserou parrot.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Waitukubuli National Trail (Segment 11 to 14 pass through this region).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The lookout from the top of Fort Shirley ramparts.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Syndicate Nature Trail; best for spotting the endemic Sisserou and Jaco parrots.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Northern end of Douglas Bay Beach (check local regulations first).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (located at HHV Whitchurch Picard); FedEx through local agents.
- Tech Repair Services
- Cellular Solutions in Picard (mostly mobile devices).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Community center tables in the town square.
- Language Classes
- Creole (Kweyol) lessons via local tutors; contact the Dominica Cultural Division.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Portsmouth Public Library on Central Street.
- Community Centers
- Portsmouth Town Council Hall.
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; small local 'game shops' in the Picard area.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None in Portsmouth; small slots lounges in Roseau.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $88,000 USD).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $60,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,100 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $126,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $84,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,900 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $152,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,250 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $100,000 USD).
- Corporate Tax
- 25% standard rate.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% on non-residents.
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residence-based; residents taxed on worldwide income but WIN Visa offers specific exemptions.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (on income over $60,000 XCD).
- VAT
- 15% standard rate; 10% on hotel stays.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Minimal/No specific CFC legislation currently in place.
- Property Tax
- No annual property tax on residential land; municipal taxes apply in towns (approx. 1% of assessed value).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Total of approx. 10.5% (Stamp Duty 4%, Judicial fee 2.5%, Assurance fund 1%, Lawyer fees approx 3%).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes; Work In Nature (WIN) Visa allows remote workers to live for 18 months with income tax exemptions.