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Dominica is open for travelers — but you'll need to start planning your paperwork well in advance

July 28, 2020
•
4 min read
Dominica, Hampstead, Aerial view of Batibou Bay beach, North of the island
Dominica is open for travelers — but you'll need to start planning your paperwork well in advance
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As the travel industry reopens following COVID-19 shutdowns, TPG suggests that you talk to your doctor, follow health officials' guidance and research local travel restrictions before booking that next trip. We will be here to help you prepare, whether it is next month or next year.

The small island nation of Dominica opens for travelers on Aug. 7. Here's what we know so far, and what you should prepare if you decide to visit.

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Related: Dreaming of a sandy beach? A country-by-country guide to the Caribbean

What to expect

Before arrival

All eligible travelers arriving in Dominica must follow the procedures below in order to enter the country:

  • Submit a health questionnaire online at least 24 hours prior to arrival which asks for contact and travel information, as well as recent travel history. You'll also be asked to share detailed medical information including current and recent health, as well as smoking and drinking habits.
  • Present notification of clearance to travel in the form of a doctor's note or similar document
  • Submit a negative PCR test result recorded within 24-72 hours prior to arrival

Upon arrival

As with many other countries accepting U.S. tourists, visitors must also adhere to stringent on-site policies around social distancing and safe hygiene, including:

  • Wearing face masks at all times during the arrival process, up to and including departure from the airport
  • Observing physical distancing guidelines
  • Following all instructions from local health care staff and officials
  • Undergoing a health assessment upon arrival, including a temperature check
  • Providing confirmation of the health questionnaire and negative PCR test results
  • Undergoing rapid COVID-19 test screening with a negative test result (children under five are exempt).

Any traveler with a high temperature, high risk alert from their questionnaire or positive rapid test will be given a PCR test, and be taken into mandatory quarantine at a government-approved facility or hotel at their expense until results are available. If the follow-up test result is positive, the traveler may be quarantined until released by an authorized health professional.

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Related: 4 Caribbean ports to explore in a day, including Antigua

How to get there and where to stay

Airlines

Unfortunately, Dominica may be opening for tourism — but routes are few and far between, often with long layovers and extravagant prices, even in economy.

The cheapest flights we found originate out of New York (JFK) and stop in San Juan (SJU) en route to Dominica (DOM) for $492 round trip in economy in September on JetBlue.

Screenshot courtesy JetBlue.

American Airlines has flights from Miami via Charlotte for $657 roundtrip in main cabin. Or you could fly from New York-JFK via Miami and San Juan for $556. I didn't have much luck looking for award space in late summer or fall, and in fact I couldn't get it to price in miles for any period I searched. Inventory for the resumed flights may still be loading.

Screenshots courtesy American Airlines.

Hotels

The Dominica Environmental Health Department (EHD) has implemented stringent safety measures for hotels interested in hosting visiting tourists. Approved hotels receive a certificate of approval and to date, six Dominica hoteliers have reached compliance with the EHD. They are:

Related: Jamaica is open to tourists, but only if you follow all of these rules

The Oceanfront Honeymoon Suite at the Rosalie Bay Resort costs just $225 per night.

Meantime, a standard room at the Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski begins at $255 for non-Caribbean natives.

Screenshot courtesy Kempinski.

Don't forget: You can use points on a fixed-value credit card to "erase" statement charges for cash-based expenses.

Featured image by Getty Images/Hemis.fr RM

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.