Frequently Asked Questions
Why visit Dominica and stay at Villa Passiflora?
How do we get to Dominica?
How do we get to Villa Passiflora?
Should we rent a vehicle?
Is the drinking water safe?
How safe are Dominica and Villa Passiflora?
Can we bring our electric appliances?
What about food?
Do you have TV and internet access?
Is Dominica right for me and my family?
Is Villa Passiflora handicapped-accessible? What about children?
I don’t see any glass or screening. What about bugs?
Why visit Dominica and stay at Villa Passiflora?
Dominica is an island of breathtaking natural beauty, as yet little impacted by tourism. One travel writer aptly characterized Dominica as "the last of the real Caribbean." As a visitor, you can expect to be warmly received by Dominicans, who will take pride in sharing their glorious island with you. They know that what they have here is very special.
Villa Passiflora is for the traveler who would like to enjoy Dominica in a guesthouse of style and elegance still rare on the island. It is an ideal setting for several couples wishing to share a relaxing vacation together, for small groups interested in literary, yoga or culinary retreats or for families without young children. Our special, introductory rates-- little above far more modest accomodations-- make the villa eminently affordable for the couple or individual who appreciates space, beauty and privacy. For a group it is a ridiculous bargain... which won't be the case for too long. It is for you if you relish the prospect of enjoying the sound of the waves, the feel of the cooling trade winds and the view from one of the most breathtaking spots in the Caribbean. It is a tonic for the senses.
We look forward to the opportunity to help you plan your Dominican vacation. We can arrange for yoga instructors, massage therapists and local cooks to share their services with you at the villa. Additionally, we can arrange the hire of guides to help you enjoy sites of interest in the Calibishie area and elsewhere on the island. Share your interest and ideas with us, and we'll do what we can to help craft a unique and memorable stay.
How do we get to Dominica?
Dominica’s charm and beauty are protected by the effort required to reach it! The island doesn’t have enough flat land to allow a jet port to be constructed, so flights are indirect, and the airport is closed at dark.
Bottom line: get to San Juan in time to catch the once daily direct American Eagle flight (at 12:30 pm as of this writing) or get to Antigua, which offers multiple daily flights on Liat direct to Dominica as late as 4:30 pm. (Overnighting in Old San Juan is quite a pleasure if you have the time.) Be sure you are booking into Melville Hall Airport rather than Canefield, which is on the opposite side of the island, about 90 minutes away from Villa Passiflora. From Atlanta, we usually fly direct to San Juan in time to get Liat's flight to Antigua at 2:30, then catch the last flight to Dominica.
Liat flies to many other islands of the Caribbean, and you may be able to connect to Dominica through Barbados, St. Lucia or elsewhere depending upon circumstances. I have at times been unable to book Liat connections with Orbitz, but their flights can be readily booked through www.liat.com. An ideal approach would be to use major airline frequent flyer miles to get to Antigua, then book the inexpensive 30 minute hop to Dominica direct with Liat. Booking flights to Dominica might be a good way to help keep a travel agent in business.
Should you consider the possibility of going through Martinique or Guadeloupe prior to your stay on Dominica, travel by ferry is available from these French islands to Dominica several times weekly. Information and booking is available here.
If it were easy, you wouldn’t be shedding all the obnoxious travelers you see in the San Juan airport. They’re never heading to Dominica.
How do we get to Villa Passiflora?
The villa is just 20 minutes from Mellville Hall Airport. If you are renting a car, pickup is generally available at the airport. Leaving the airport, go left and follow the Northeast road through Wesley, Woodford Hill and Small Farm until you see the sign for VP. We are just beyond the road to Sea Cliff and just before the village of Calibishie. If you are not renting a vehicle, you will be offered transportation as soon as you walk out of baggage claim.
Should we rent a vehicle?
If you have any interest in exploring this beautiful island—and most will find exploration hard to resist—then rent a relatively small vehicle with 4-wheel drive. You may not need the 4-wheel drive, but it can definitely come in handy if you find yourself on a rutted, muddy road to a glorious beach, and the added road clearance of these vehicles is a must. If the goal of your stay is relaxation, you certainly can get by without a personal vehicle, walking to the village and using either public transport or daily hire of a vehicle and driver when desired.
Driving in Dominca is on the left. The roads are in varying states of repair—think of potholes as unannounced speed bumps—and some are too narrow to allow true 2-way traffic. Drive slowly, cautiously, defensively and always be prepared to pull to the shoulder to allow oncoming traffic to pass.
Is the drinking water safe?
Yes! Dominica’s fresh water is amongst its glories, and you should have no problems with tap water, ice, raw vegetables, etc. The local water is said to be one of the “secrets” behind the high quality of, Kubuli, the Dominican beer.
How safe are Dominica and Villa Passiflora?
Violent crime is rare in Dominica, but opportunistic thievery may occur, particularly when invited by open doors and windows. The safety of your belongings is very much enhanced by the presence of our caretaker-- who lives on site-- and our watchdog, Evie. Please note that Evie is NOT an "attack dog," and her job is to alert us to the presence of people on the property. She doesn't bark ceaselessly! She does not have access to the villa's interior, and-- should you choose-- you need have no direct contact with her during your stay.
Our safety will be much enhanced by your efforts in being sure the villa's doors and windows are secured when you leave the premises. Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.
Can we bring our electric appliances?
Villa Passiflora is powered by its solar panel system at 110V/60hz. The Dominican standard is 220V/50hz. A small number of transformers are available to use small 220V appliances.
What about food?
One of our great pleasures on Dominica is cooking with the extraordinary fresh ingredients available, and we’ve equipped our kitchen pretty well by the standards of vacation homes. We’ll help you procure glorious fruits, vegetables, fish, lobster and poultry as well as herbs. Imported items for the pantry are much more limited, but need not be limiting if you think Caribbean.
Our housekeeper, Isalene George, is one of the best cooks in the village, and she can prepare some of your meals at a modest cost. Byron, our caretaker, loves to prepare eclectic style meals should that be your preference.
We strongly encourage you to enjoy some of the small restaurants and snack shops in Calibishie. Meals are very reasonable (though it is wise to establish prices before ordering), and the offerings include archetypes such as souse, ackras, turkey stew, “bakes,” “ground provisions,” seasonal local juices, as well as ubiquitous fried chicken by the piece. Hamburgers and fries are available in a couple of places, though surely you didn’t come to Dominica for burgers! Hours and availability vary wildly. Creative cuisine using local ingredients is available from Hermien at Verandah View with advance reservations. The Bamboo Restaurant at Calibishie Lodges is extremely reliable, with soups and desserts being particularly memorable. Gina and Stacey's Escape Beach Bar and Grill, is a great, nearby source of food and drink in a beautiful seaside location. Primus's rum shop is on the road to Point Baptiste, and is a great spot for Kubuli and more. Great village flavors are available at Mathurine's Tavern, Warrow's Seaside and Gus's Grocery.
Do you have TV and internet access?
We have a television and DVD player, but we have made the decision not to have cable or satellite TV. Most of what is seen on the plethora of cable channels feels so jarring on Dominica that we are making the perhaps futile gesture of keeping it out of our home. We do have wireless, high speed internet access, so if you need to refer back to the US or EU bring along your laptop. Please note that internet service may not be as reliable as service in the US or EU.
We’ve collected about 1000 films on DVD (we keep 300 on the island at any one time), so there should be no shortage of viewing choices during your stay. Our collection features classics, popular favorites, “cult films”, Caribbean-themed and children’s movies. The bulk have been recorded from Turner Classic Movies, IFC and other cable television channels, generally in English or in their original language with English subtitles. They are good quality, commercial free, but lack the bells and whistles of commercial DVDs. A smaller number of films are backed up from commercial DVDs and may have subtitle options.
Is Dominica right for me and my family?
Dominica is not for everyone. A day in Dominica must be considered “subject to change”. If you come with a tight daily schedule of sights and activities, and you will be profoundly frustrated by the failure to tick off your objectives as planned, look elsewhere. If some of the most glorious terrain on the planet would be tough to appreciate due to disdain for the limited and poorly maintained road system, look elsewhere. If an occasional rainstorm is seen as a blight on your dream vacation rather than the reason Dominica is the most luxuriant island in the Caribbean, look elsewhere.
Is Villa Passiflora handicapped-accessible? What about children?
Regrettably, Villa Passiflora is not well suited to visitors with major limitations to ambulation. The handcrafted stairs require careful use by all, particularly when using the observation deck.
Due to the unrestricted access to our pool we can't accommodate families traveling with children who are not fully competent swimmers.
Many of Villa Passiflora’s furnishings are irreplaceable vintage pieces which deserve and require loving treatment. Guests are responsible for any damages during their stay, so please consider the maturity of children (and adults) critically before booking your visit. If your dream vacation includes a wild party, Villa Passiflora is not for you.
I don’t see any glass or screening. What about bugs?
Villa Passiflora indeed has neither glass nor screening, in the Caribbean tradition. Cooling is courtesy of the continuous trade winds, aided by the shade of our expansive verandah and the trees of the littoral forest which we have chosen to leave standing. Fans are available to augment the breezes.
There are absolutely no bugs allowed in the villa. Of course I jest. Depending upon the weather, you may well encounter some mosquitoes, particularly at twilight. I’ve never found them to be tough to control with a bit of insect repellant around the ankles before sunset. High quality mosquito netting insures that your sleep won’t be disturbed by that lone warrior buzzing around your ear.
Why the name, Villa Passiflora?
Passiflora is the genus of the passion flower, surely one of the most exquisite of floral wonders. Some of you will no doubt get to enjoy its glorious fruit while visiting Dominica. Though the genus is most often associated with the tropics, P. incarnata is native to temperate regions, and is the state wildflower of Tennessee, our "other" home. For us, the link goes deeper still, as you are welcome to discover on Ann's website.