Island of Dominica and St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
What You Need to Know
The Green Castle Luxury homes and apartments are designed to provide a peaceful and enjoyable place for visitors to relax while embracing the cultural life of Dominica. We currently have two Green Castle locations. Four luxury apartments in one 5, 600 square foot luxury complex in Roseau, Dominica which is currently open and one entire home to book in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. The Virgin Islands location will have two launch dates, August 2021for an entire home and a series of apartments in the upcoming year of 2022.
The beautiful Green Castle properties allow you to slow down your pace and take time for relaxation and pure enjoyment. A barefoot luxury that eliminates the hurry and worry syndrome that many of us have to endure in everyday life.
All of our properties have a private fully supplied kitchen and private bathroom for each room. If you plan to cook then you do not have to worry. You are in the heart of Dominica and Roseau is the highly recommended place for visitors to purchase groceries at the city supermarkets.
DOMINICA (PRONOUNCED Dom-in-eek-a)
Dominica, is the largest of the Windward Islands. It covers 289 square miles and has approximately 91 miles of coastline. The island is characterized by very rugged and steep terrain. Dominica, formerly a British colony, became independent in 1978 and remains a member of the British Commonwealth and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. Dominica has a population of approximately 70,000 people, including 3,000 indigenous Caribs.
Roseau
(Dominican Creole: Wozo) is the capital and largest city of Dominica, with a population of 14,725. [1] It is on the west (leeward) coast of Dominica and has a combination of modern and colonial French architecture. Tourist can enjoy the convenience of food markets, shopping, and activities because they are in the heart of the caribbean city. Roseau is Dominica’s most important port for foreign trade. Some exports include bananas, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges, and cocoa.
Tourism
Dominica’s mountains, rainforests, freshwater lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, and diving spots make it an attractive ecotourism destination. Cruise ship stopovers have increased following the development of modern docking and waterfront facilities in Roseau, the capital. The volcanic nature of the island has attracted scuba divers.
Money
First and foremost, please always inform your bank or credit card company when you travel to Dominica (or go on vacation) otherwise you risk your credit card being rejected.The local currency is in EC$ or XCD. Eastern Caribbean Dollars. You are able to pay in cash in EC$ or US$. Overall, you can pay and will most likely book all your living arrangements/expenses online for The Green Castle with a credit card or via pay pal if you or booking on our website. There are not many businesses in Dominica accepting credit cards. However, you can withdraw cash at ATMs in Roseau, Portsmouth or at Douglas-Charles airport.
Languages
English is the official language of Dominica and is universally spoken and understood. In addition, Dominican Creole, an Antillean Creole based on French, is widely spoken. This is due to French migration to the island starting in 1690, a majority French Creole speaking population that resided on the island,[88] and its location between the two French-speaking departments of Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Air
There are two regional airports on the island. Flying to Dominica requires traveling through San Juan, Puerto Rico or other nearby islands in the Caribbean such as Martinique, Guadeloupe, or Barbados. The primary airport, Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM), is on the northeast coast and is about a 45-minute drive from Portsmouth (1 hour from Roseau). The second is Canefield Airport (DCF), about 15 minutes from Roseau on the southwest coast.
What To Bring TO Dominica
• A great Camera
• Binoculars
• A raincoat for the wet areas
• Insect repellant
• A flashlight
• A light jacket or sweatshirt
• Tennis Shoes, hiking shoes, sandals, or flip-flops for the beach.
• A small travel size first aid kit Safety At the Green Castle.
Safety
All of our Dominica apartments are equipped with smart locks, outside surveillance, private parking, host management, and security window bars.
In Dominica
For the most part, the locals are very friendly and filled with innocent and very kind hospitality. However, when vacationing please use wisdom and do not let your guards completely down. Remember, the locals are more knowledgeable than the tourist.
Please keep your distance from island beggars and be leery of anyone that approaches you out of the blue or needs your assistance. Remember you are the tourist, how would you be able to assist anyone efficiently in unfamiliar territory.
Do not travel too far away from the tourist areas and try not to go out alone. If you keep true to these common sense vacationing rules, you will enjoy the beauty of the island and your stay.
The United States Virgin Islands
Officially the Virgin Islands of the United State, are a group of Caribbean islands. The US Virgin Islands consists of the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas, and 50 other surrounding minor islands and cays.
Saint Croix (pronounced KROY)
St. Croix is the largest of the islands in the territory. However the capital, Charlotte Amalie, is located on St. Thomas. As of the 2010 St. Croix’s population was 50,601 St. Croix’s nickname is “Twin City”, for its two towns, Frederiksted on the western end and Christiansted on the northeast part of the island.
Language
English has been the dominant language on St. Croix since the 1700s and has been the official language since 1917. Previously, the official language was Danish. Other languages spoken throughout St. Croix’s colonial history have included Irish, Scots, Spanish, and French, as well as a nowextinct Dutch Creole spoken by St. Thomas and St. John-born people living in St. Croix, also local creole English, which still exists today.
Tourism
A white sand island paradise, St. Croix offers a world of delights to travelers coming to relax, visit, and take in the sun. You’ll discover an island heavy in culture, with historic landmarks, places of worship and festivals that run all year long. It is an island that will surely allow you to find a number of ways to fill every day of your visit St. Croix is the sparkling and hidden gem of the Caribbean. It has some of the most renowned diving sites in the world and has over three dozen beaches. Yes you heard correctly. Beaches near Colony Cove or Chenay Bay are full of activities. But If you like privacy, there are quiet beaches near Frederiksted. St. Croix is lavished with lush tropical hills, warm and brilliantly turquoise water, a rich history and a wonderfully tropical climate. You can even take in a round of golf at one of two championship courses. There is also incredible SCUBA diving! Scuba divers can explore an underwater trail and discover an assortment of sea life, from the protected coral reef to native flora and fauna, the hawksbill turtle and brown pelican. If you think that is all, the island also offers great dining and restaurants, lots of duty free shopping, horseback riding, historic and charming towns and much more. The locals are quite friendly and the atmosphere is laid back so you can take in every moment of this enchanted paradise.
Air and Travel
It’s easy to travel to St. Croix from the mainland. U.S. citizens do not need a passport. Saint Croix is only a 30 minute flight from the international airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and direct flights from the states on American Airlines (via Miami), Delta (via Atlanta) and JetBlue (via San Juan). For international travelers If you are flying internationally, or don’t mind a layover in Puerto Rico, most major airlines have flights into San Juan, and from there you can fly into St. Croix on one of the following airlines: Cape Air ,Seaborne | Silver Airways, and Bohlke International Airways to name few.
Virgin Islands – Packing Checklist
So you have saved the money, booked the flight, chosen the perfect accommodation and now you are thinking HELP, What should I pack? Below you will find some suggestions.
Passport
Visa
Credit Cards and Money
Traveler’s Checks
Health Insurance Card
Personal Identification
Health Items
Pain Reliever
Contact Lens Items
Diarrhea Medicine/Laxative
Insect Repellent
Sun Protection
Sun Glasses
RX Glasses
Personal Prescriptions/Copies of Prescriptions
Leisure Basics
Camera/Film
Video Camera/Tapes
Clothing
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Beach Shoes/Sandals
Casual Dress Shoes
Swimwear
Day/ Beach- Shorts, Tank Top, T-shirt
Wrap Skirt, Sun Dress.
Day/Sightseeing or Shopping – Shorts, T-shirt,
Tank Top, Sun Dress
Evening/Restaurant – Sundress,
Dress Shorts/Blouse, Dress shorts/Polo Shirt,
No ties necessary (very few exceptions)
Evening/Nightlife – Jeans, Dress Shorts, light
sleeved shirt or jacket
