anenomefishman
Contributor
One of the things I remember about Dominica is that the locals were friendly and pleasant. We have visited countries where the locals were downright rude and in one case - flat-out frightening! And in Jamaica people woke me up on the beach to sell me things that I would "never in a million years consider buying!" but I don't recall ever having that experience or feeling in Dominica.
Rosseau is a depressing place IMO but I don't think that I ever felt insulted or threatened there. At CCL I remember having fun at the beach bar with guests, locals, and dive masters - everybody was friendly. I work everyday in downtown Chicago so I am used to panhandlers and street vendors - but I don't remember anything like that in Dominica.
having been to Dominica recently (a few weeks ago), I would say that I was never scared for my safety in Roseau at all. the local Dominicans are very friendly. the big cruise ships can hit Roseau pretty hard as it is not a big place with all those extra tourists. we were mistaken for cruise ship people a number of times in town, but they laughed when they heard we were staying there and not passing through.
I would go back to dominica for diving and other activities. probably a couple years or so. to me right now, the best places to dive in the Caribbean are:
Little Cayman
Bonaire
Dominica
only my opinion of course.