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Thank you for your interest in visiting our dedicated
dive lodge and Nature Island. Have a great vacation!
PAYMENT POLICY: Reservations are not confirmed
until an initial deposit of $100.00 per person is
received. Full payment is due forty-five (45) days
prior to arrival date.
METHODS OF PAYMENT POLICY: All payments
must be made in US currency. We accept MasterCard,
Visa and American Express. Sender must pay for any
and all bank transfer fees. ATTN: CHECK WRITER -
We will gladly accept your check as payment, however
in an effort not to inconvenience you, we reserve
the right to electronically debit your account if
this item comes back dishonored, plus a $25.00 processing
fee (or legal limit) and any applicable taxes.
CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS: Cancellation
made 46 days or more prior to arrival will receive
a full refund less a $100 per person cancellation
fee. If the cancellations occurs 45 days or less
prior to arrival, the entire package is non-refundable
and non-transferable. No Shows or unused nights
and/or package features due to premature departure:
NO refunds.
CHANGES IN RESERVATIONS: There is a $25.00
fee per change once documents have been issued.
The unused portion of hotel and/or any part of the
package plans and dives not completed by customers'
choice and/or diving cancelled as a result of inclement
weather and/or acts of God are non-transferable
and not refundable. Dive Dominica/Castle Comfort
Dive Lodge is not responsible for missed or delayed
flights. We strongly encourage all guests to purchase
comprehensive travel and dive insurance. Ask your
reservations agent for more information.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: For travel ending prior
to December 31, 2005 an official birth certificate
PLUS a valid Drivers License may be used to enter
Dominica if travelers are not in possession of a
valid passport. Beginning December 31, 2005 the
U.S. Department of State requires that travelers
to and from the Caribbean have a valid passport.
No Visas are required for U.S. and Canadian citizens,
however it is the customer's responsibility to ensure
his or her own visa requirements, and no refunds
will be awarded for customers denied access for
lack of proper Visa.
EXIT REQUIREMENTS: There is a departure
tax of $22.00 pp US payable at the airport upon
departure in cash.
UPON ARRIVAL: After clearing customs please
wait outside the airport for your Castle Comfort
representative, who will be there to greet you and
provide you with transportation to the Dive Lodge.
The trip lasts approximately one hour, and includes
a wonderfully scenic and informative tour, with
a cool rum punch or fruit punch awaiting you at
the end of your drive!
FOOD SERVICE: The restaurant is open for
breakfast from 7:30 - 9:00 am daily. Lunch is served
from 12:30 - 2:15 pm and can be ordered before you
depart for your morning dive and ready when for
you by the time you hop out of the shower, leaving
you plenty of afternoon time free for an island
exploration. Dinner is served from 7:00 - 8:30 nightly.
NATURE TOURS: We highly recommend you spend
some time exploring our incredible island. If you
come to Dominica and don't take the opportunity
to see at least 1 of the islands 365 rivers and
countless waterfalls, or sightsee for one of the
22 different types of dolphin or whale sighted on
Dominica, you are missing out on the opportunity
of a lifetime. Dominica is known as "the Nature
Island" for good reason, and there are tours
suitable for everyone.
LANGUAGE: English is the official language
with Creole and French patois widely spoken.
TIME: Atlantic Standard Time. Dominica does
not change time for Daylight Savings so from mid-fall
to mid spring; Dominica is one hour ahead of the
East Coast and the same time mid-Spring to mid-Fall.
CURRENCY: The Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$)
is the currency used locally. At the banks you will
get EC$2.67 per US$1 cash, and EC$2.68 per US$1
travellers' cheques. United States dollars, British
Pounds and the Euro currency are acceptable everywhere
on the island.
CREDIT CARDS/TRAVELLERS' CHECKS: Most hotels,
restaurant, car rental agencies accept Master Card,
Visa, and American Express as well as Travelers'
cheques., however credit cards will not be accepted
by the hotel as a method for tipping the dive and
hotel staff.
TIPPING OVERVIEW: A service charge has been
included in your prepaid hotel bill, and will be
added to all services and meals purchase at the
resort. Additional tipping for special service is
welcomed.
DRIVING: Driving is on the left side of
the road, and the roads here are very narrow and
tricky to navigate. Renting a vehicle is not recommended
but can be arranged once on island if necessary.
You will need to obtain a local drivers' permit
and must be between the ages of 25-65, have a least
two (2) years driving experience and present a valid
drivers' license when applying for a permit.
DIVING: Check-in for diving is done at the
Front Office upon arrival. Tanks and gear for shore
diving is available 24/7 once you have registered.
Boats depart at 8:30 each morning for a two tank
dive, returning at approximately 1:00.
DIVE CARDS: Divers must have their dive
certification cards. All major certification companies
recognized. No one is permitted to dive without
a valid certification card, unless participating
in a Discover Scuba or Open Water Course.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Normally 78-84F degrees
all year, slightly warmer in the summer and cooler
in the winter. A 2-mm shorty to 3 mm full suit is
recommended for scuba divers.
WEATHER: 75-85F year round, with cooler
temperatures in the mountains. January to April
is the dry season and July to October the green
season.
WHAT TO WEAR: Lightweight, casual clothing
may be worn all year, with a light sweater for cooler
evenings in the mountains. Swimwear is not acceptable
on the streets. Walking shoes and raincoats are
recommended for hikes throughout the rain forest.
DRINKING WATER: The water is of good quality
and safe to drink, however if you are accustomed
to drinking bottled water or have a sensitive system,
it may be best to drink bottled water, which is
available for purchase at the bar or at local grocery
stores.
ELECTRICITY: The resort and island operate
on 220 V, but there is a 110V US style outlet in
each room, along with 110 outlets available in the
dive shop for the recharging of batteries.
Above: 220v plug and outlet.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: All rooms have Cable
TV and direct dial telephones. The resort offers
free internet access for those who have their own
wireless laptops. Wireless cards can also be rented.
For those without computers, there is a computer
available for internet use for a small fee of US
$10.00 for 12 hours.
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