Although Roseau is the largest city in the island nation of Dominica, it is still small by most international standards. Visiting provides both a charming retreat into cozy island life and a peek into the bustling culture that is life in Dominica’s capital city.
Activity in Roseau centers on its French Quarter, where the French Caribbean meets West Indian architecture, and it can be fun to stroll through the cobblestone streets, which are far from idle and instead active places of bartering, conversation and regular social gatherings. You can spend your time visiting the Old Market to haggle for handmade goods, learning at the Dominica Museum, or taking a tour or hike up into Roseau’s splendid backdrop: the lush Caribbean mountaintops that make Dominica famous.
- Bring sunscreen and, if visiting in the rainy summer and autumn months, a rain jacket or umbrella.
- Roseau is pronounced “roe-zoe”.
- Wheelchair users may find getting around difficult due to uneven pavement and a lack of ramps.
Roseau is located on Dominica’s western end. The main thoroughfares are: Goodwill Road, which enters the city from the northwest; Valley Road, which enters from the northeast; and Victoria Road from the southeast. The main Douglas-Charles Airport takes about 75 minutes to reach by car.
As a major city (by Dominican standards), Roseau is bustling year-round, although the weather might put a literal damper on your plans if you intend to do a lot of wandering. The rainy season runs from the middle of June until the middle of November, while January through March remain relatively dry. Note that many shops in Roseau, and elsewhere on the island, close on Sundays.
Although Roseau is more of a shopping and sightseeing destination, you won’t be short of beaches if you choose to base yourself here: this is a Caribbean island, after all. Your best bet for something close to town is Mero Beach, less than a 30-minute drive north. Here you’ll find volcanic black sands, calm waters, and plenty of facilities if you want to grab a meal or a drink.
