Roseau: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Roseau is the capital of Dominica, a small volcanic Caribbean island home to about 70,000 people. The town itself holds the port, the government, markets and about 15,000 residents. The economy rests on tourism, agriculture and revenue from the citizenship by investment programme. The island is known for nature: mountains, rainforest, hot springs, waterfalls and diving, but few large beaches and little resort development.

Roseau suits people looking for a quiet life in nature, Dominican passport holders who want to spend time on the island, and divers and hikers. It is harder for those who need a big city, good medical care nearby and a wide choice of jobs.

Cost of living

The East Caribbean dollar is pegged at 2.70 per US dollar. Food and household goods are mostly imported and cost more than the rents suggest.

Practicalities: transport, climate, money

Transport. Private minibuses run between villages, traffic drives on the left, and mountain roads are narrow, so many residents use their own car. The island's main airport is more than an hour from Roseau by mountain road. Climate. Tropical, warm all year, with heavy rain in the mountains. The hurricane season runs from June to November: in 2017 Hurricane Maria destroyed most housing on the island, so check the roof and wind protection when buying or renting. Money. Payments are in East Caribbean dollars, and US dollars are accepted in many places.

Moving and legal status

• Russian citizens need no visa for a short trip;
• the citizenship by investment programme operates, with an investment from $200,000 in the Economic Diversification Fund or approved real estate, usually processed in 3-6 months;
• applications from Russian and Belarusian citizens have not been accepted since 2022, and the restriction remains in 2026;
• for long stays foreigners obtain a work or residence permit through the island's immigration service.

More about the programme on the Dominica citizenship page. If you hold a second citizenship, we will check whether you can apply with it.

Where to live on the island

• Roseau: the market, shops, banks and government offices nearby, but cramped and noisy by day.
• The suburbs of Castle Comfort and Goodwill: by the sea, quieter, a few minutes from the centre.
• Portsmouth in the north: the island's second town, close to Prince Rupert Bay and Cabrits National Park.

Homes in the mountains are cooler, but the roads are narrow and can be closed in the rainy season.

Healthcare and getting there

Roseau has a state hospital opened in 2023 to replace the old one. For complex cases residents fly to neighbouring islands or the USA. There are no direct flights from Europe: you fly via Antigua, Barbados or Puerto Rico, and ferries run from the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Nature and things to do

• Morne Trois Pitons National Park: a World Heritage site with rainforest, volcanoes and the Boiling Lake, reached by a day-long trail.
• The Waitukubuli Trail: a hiking route across the whole island, divided into stages.
• The Soufrière Scotts Head Marine Reserve: diving and snorkelling at the island's southern tip, half an hour from Roseau.
• The Kalinago Territory: indigenous land on the east coast where crafts and traditions are preserved.

Money, communications and daily life

Local and regional banks operate in Roseau, but opening an account is not easy for a foreigner: references and proof of the source of funds are requested. Mobile coverage and internet are available along the coast, with a weaker signal in the mountains. Shops and the market mostly work by day, and much is closed on Sundays. Water and power cuts happen after heavy rain, so houses have tanks and generators.

What a Dominican passport gives

• visa-free entry to about 144 countries, with visas needed for the UK and the USA;
• dual citizenship is allowed, and living on the island is not required to get the passport;
• an investment from $200,000 plus fees: $1,000 for processing, $7,500 for the main applicant's due diligence and $1,000 for the interview of each person aged 16 and over;
• processing usually takes 3-6 months.

The programme is closed to Russian and Belarusian citizens, but holders of a second citizenship can check whether they can apply with it.

Work and business on the island

The economy is small, there are few vacancies for foreigners, and employment requires a work permit. A bank account for it is harder to open than the company itself, so plan it in advance. Price on request from a manager. Check the price

Is the city worth considering

The pluses are nature, calm, inexpensive rent and a passport with visa-free access to 144 countries for those eligible for the programme. The minuses are hurricanes, limited medical care and goods, a small job market and a long trip to the airport. Roseau is a place for a quiet life or short visits, not for a career.