by Monique Jacob | Nov 28, 2021 | Tour Operators, Travel Tips
On November 15, the Government of Dominica announced that protocols were approved to allow the resumption of ferry services to Dominica for the first time since March 2020. The protocols for the ferry passengers are the same as travelling to Dominica by air.
Disembarking travelers require:
- a Negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival,
- health notification of approval to travel to Dominica, after completing the health questionnaire,
- vaccination certificate (if applicable), and
- proof of payment for the entry Antigen test.
Upon arrival, vaccinated travelers will undergo the Antigen test and if negative, will be medically cleared. Non vaccinated travelers will also undergo an Antigen test, followed by five to seven days of mandatory quarantine.
L’Express Des Iles
L’Express Des Iles resumed services between Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Lucia on November 21, 2021. To book a trip and for updated schedules visit their official website: www.express-des-iles.fr
Val Ferry
Val Ferry announced that its service between Dominica, Guadeloupe, and Martinique will start up again on December 10, 2021. To book a trip and for updated schedules visit their official website: www.valferry.fr
Initially only 50 passengers will be allowed to disembark the ferries in Dominica. However, the return of the ferry not only mean return of travelers from the French West Indies but also increased connectivity for travelers from Europe.
Hotel the Champs welcomes our Ferry passengers.
by Monique Jacob | Nov 28, 2021 | New Flights, Tour Operators, Travel Tips
On December 8th, American Airlines commences the highly anticipated non-stop commercial jet service between Miami International (MIA) and Douglas Charles Airport. Announced by AA on July 23, Dominica is among the new destinations in the Caribbean as the airline expands its services in the region.
The airline will initially operate twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturdays using Embraer 175 aircraft. The Embraer 175 (E175) have a seventy-six (76) passenger capacity, with twelve first class seats, and sixty-four premium seats with extra leg room and main cabin seats.
December AA Schedule
In addition to offering easy access out of Miami, these flights greatly increases Dominica’s North American access connectivity. Through the American Airlines network, these flights allow for same day connections to 42 North American cities and territories.
AA Connecting Cities
There was such tremendous interest and response to the initial offering, that American announced that starting January 5th the flights will increase to three times weekly.
Hotel the Champs looks forward to welcome new and returning travelers via American Airlines.
Search for your flights: Book Flights on American Airlines (aa.com)
by Linda Baudoin | Jun 20, 2020 | Hiking, Nature, Travel Tips
Unlike many Caribbean islands, Dominica is blessed with several lakes, Freshwater Lake is the largest of Dominica’s four lakes. It is located at just over 2,500 ft above sea level and is the natural source of the Roseau River. The lake has been dammed to provide water to generate electricity. This body of water forms part of Morne Trois Pitons National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the largest lake on the island, and the second deepest after nearby Boeri Lake. The lake and surrounding area can be mysteriously shrouded in mist or gleaming in full sunshine, often changing between these climates within minutes.
A hike along the Freshwater Lake Trail provides an opportunity to study Dominica’s higher forests. Montane forest, which can be recognized by its short, thin trees and open canopy, covers the majority of the area surrounding the lake. The shallow soils and strong winds do not permit the luxuriant growth that is so characteristic of the rain forest. The Freshwater Lake hike requires a steep climb but the views are worth it. It is a beautiful spot in which to cool off since it’s at a higher elevation.
You have to take your way towards the path by the hydro-electric building (to the right of the parking lot when facing the lake). A few minutes further along, you plant your feet on carefully constructed steps as you make your way to the top of the ridge on the eastern side of the lake. As you make your way along the ridge, you will admire the views of the lake, abundant wildflowers, birds, verdant precipices and the mighty Atlantic in the distance.
The circuitous groomed track around Freshwater Lake takes an hour on average, or a little more if you wish to admire the spectacular views and/or catch your breath!
You can combine this hike with a hike to Boeri Lake or a visit to Middleham Falls to enjoy your day in the nature to the fullest…..
by Linda Baudoin | Jun 13, 2020 | Beach, Nature, Sea, Travel Tips
Every year, from March to October, Leatherback, Green and Hawksbill sea turtles nest and hatch at Rosalie Bay. The endangered gentle giants can travel great distances, as far away as Canada, Europe and Africa, to Dominica to nest on our protected black sand beach.
To protect these creatures for future generations Dominica has founded the sea turtle conservation program. The program engages locals and guests in opportunities to help in the recovery of sea turtles on the island and throughout the Caribbean. Efforts include night patrol during nesting season, clean up on nesting beaches, education programs and data collection. Their trained guides tell you all about the turtles!
From witnessing a 1,000-pound Leatherback turtle crawling ashore to holding a hatchling that is smaller than a baby’s footprint, turtle season offers a vacation experience that is unforgettable and simply magical. We went to see the hatching this time…..
A magical moment is when the tiny hatchlings emerge from their nest for their initial journey to sea. Some nests hatch naturally, while others have a scheduled assisted release in the evening to increase their chances of survival. The odds are not in their favor –about 1,000 to one–as hungry predators and dehydration take their toll.
Rosalie Bay is about 1,5 hour drive from Hotel The Champs, but worth the stunning drive. This time there were as many as 32 small turtles finding their way to the ocean!
by Linda Baudoin | Jun 6, 2020 | Hiking, Nature, River, Travel Tips
A nice walk in ‘the backyard of The Champs’ is to the viewpoint over looking the bay in Portsmouth and Cabrits. You can just start your walk at The Champs and walk up the hill, before the water tank you go left on a small trail. If you are lucky you can spot parrots here!
After about 10 minutes you will reach a gravel road, take this road up to the banana plantation. Each banana plant has one bunch of bananas covered in a blue plastic bag. The bunches are covered with plastic bags for three reasons: to provide a suitable microclimate for the bananas to ripen more quickly, to protect the bananas (at least to some degree) from insects and other pests and to prevent the bananas from being bruised when it is windy and leaves may brush against the bunch. If you are interested you can take a look at the shelter were they sort the banana’s before taken to the market.
Just before the shelter on your left hand side you’ll find a small path winding down through the banana plantation (marked Waitukubuli trail). This path will lead you to the Picard Bridge where you can go swimming in the river or just continue hiking along the trail. This is part of the Waitukubuli trail, which spans 115 miles across the island of Dominica and the Picard Bridge is just a tiny portion of it. The bridge is a little unstable, so be careful when crossing it.
You will follow your way up, some parts are quite steep, there are ropes to help you up. After about 45 minutes you will reach the viewpoint. There is a small shelter to enjoy the view or have a picknick break. From here you can just take the same route down and back to Hotel The Champs where we wait for you with a nice cold beer or cocktail……
by Linda Baudoin | May 23, 2020 | Beach, Nature, Sea, Travel Tips
Batibou Beach is an expansive and secluded soft-sand beach in the North-East of the island. This beach is known as one of the best beaches of Dominica. It is about half an hour drive from Hotel The Champs on the way to Calibishie.
On arrival you can park along the road near the entrance path or you can attempt the drive down on a road filled with potholes if you have a 4×4. It is nice to take the leisurely walk down through the forest full of palm trees. If you are lucky you can spot hummingbirds here.
The majority of the walk is in the jungle until you find yourself in an open spot overlooking Batibou Beach and several cliffside villages that speckle the north coast. The view makes you want to move faster and go down to this piece of paradise. The water is turquoise with splashing waves onto the gold sand. The beach is bordered by tall palm trees and the surrounding jungle makes it even more serene. If you have completed the walk down to the beach, there are two security guys who collect a 13 EC ($5 US) per person fee. This is for crossing the private acces road to the and for security on the beach.
There is enough space on the beach to find yourself a nice spot in the sun to let the sun and salt soak into your skin until you want to take a swim. The Atlantic Ocean here is calm enough for swimming and a gently sloping sea bed means you can wade out a good distance.
On the beach there is a small beach shack where you can have a drink or order lunch. You can use this beach as a nice stop for you (half) day trip to the north, but you can easily spend more than a few hours here. Just bring your hammock (there are perfectly placed palm trees here) and a good book and let the scenery do the rest……
