Flip Flops & Coconuts Tours
Code of Conduct and Social Etiquette
We explore one of the most amazing destinations in the world and are joined by a diverse group of guests. It is important that we set some very clear expectations so that you can be sure that this trip is right for you and that you agree to our standards.
Below are some key points we’d like to highlight.
Important Key Points
1. We’re Not Luxury Travel – we do things at a nice standard of comfort, but comfort is based on individual perception.
- If you know you are going to need something, bring it with you. It is not easy to get things at a store.
- We will not always go back to the hotel to shower & change before dinner. Driving distances can be far and gas is expensive. We are ok with that because eating dinner wet and muddy is part of the adventure.
- We are literally in the rainforest… there will be bugs, they are free to go where they please, and we like it that way because they help contribute to the eco-system.
- There will be mud and dirt. This is unavoidable no matter how much you try to stay clean or keep something clean…unavoidable mud, and again, we like it that way because we choose Dominica.
- There are no Ubers & businesses usually close early. Buses run on no particular schedule so please be mindful of that when making decisions outside of daily scheduled activities.
2. Hotels – We stay in hotels that we love. We consider them to be lovely hotels, and they check all of our boxes for the amenities that we want and need. Our decisions are based on a number of factors that include price, location, capacity, availability for groups, vibes and customer service.
3. Logistics – We have put years of effort and finances into planning our tour itineraries in order to ensure that they run as smoothly as possible. However, this is Dominica and not everything goes according to plan here. We are always at the mercy of the weather. Weather related issues can cause frequent power outages, road displacement, landslides and flash flooding of rivers just to name a few potential issues. We work with it as best as we can, we have highly trained and experienced guides and drivers to keep us on track with our itineraries but not everything always goes according to plan. For this reason, there could potentially be some activities that are listed on your itinerary that may not be doable during your tour. A “go with the flow” personality is a great personality to have while in Dominica.
4. Remote Locations – In some of our itinerary offerings we go to places way off the beaten path. It is not uncommon to encounter “issues” such as lack of bathroom facilities, less food options, power supply issues and very limited or no hot water…not necessarily ideal, but if you want to see and do certain things in Dominica, this is how it is.
5. Touristy Locations – Some sites that we visit on our itineraries are easy to get to by short hikes which make them much more visited during the day than other sites. These are sites where cruise ship passengers are mainly taken to. We will be doing our absolute best to avoid these sites during cruise ship days and/or cruise ship peak hours because we believe it takes away from the ambiance of the location if there are too many people in one place.
6. The People – We bring people together of mixed ages and mixed genders who are solo & social travelers. We welcome anyone that needs or wants to travel solo and join a group of solo & social, like-minded travelers. We also welcome friends and family groups that would like experience Dominica with other people to laugh and get muddy with in the rainforests. We can all enjoy each other’s company, learn things from each other and help each other along the way. We see this as a strength and an opportunity to meet new people and share experiences.
7. Cultural Differences – Dominica may be completely different from what your used to at home. It can come with some frustration– slower service at restaurants, heavy traffic, noisy environments, poor time keeping, different food etc.… we encourage you to embrace this as part of the tour and as a learning experience.
8. Alcohol/Drugs – Our tours are not “party tours” even though they are “solo & social”. We will have rum tastings throughout the day, enjoy a beer on the beach or a few cocktails in the evening, but there are NO scheduled “going out to get drunk” situations on any of our itineraries. We would like to think that each person on the tour would prefer to go to bed at a reasonable time since our tours mainly start early in the morning each day. Plus, it is super hard to hike long distances with a hangover or on little sleep. It is also extremely dangerous to do any water activities with a hangover (ocean or rivers). DRUGS OF ANY KIND (including Marijuana) are an absolute NO on any of our tours and they could land you in terrible trouble with the law or even worse, in a Dominica Prison. We will view any of the above-mentioned issues as a blatant disrespect to our business, to the country and to your fellow tour companions. Please Don’t Do It. If this is your vibe, we’re not the right company for you.
Do you Agree?
1. I’m excited to be joining a diverse group of people and will be respectful to all group members even those whose views or beliefs are different to my own.
2. I am comfortable with mud and I’m ok with bugs, frogs, lizards, cats and other cute little creatures possibly appearing in my accommodation.
3. I understand that things don’t always go exactly to plan. I understand that there may be some changes to the schedule & itinerary and that this is part of the tour. I will be flexible and patient when such issues arise.
4. If I have a problem with anything, I will discuss it with the tour coordinator & leader, to give them a chance to try to resolve the issue.
5. I’m ok with remote locations having basic services. I see this as part of the adventure!
6. I’m not looking for a party trip. I intend to consume alcohol in a responsible manner and understand that Flip Flops & Coconuts Tours has a ZERO tolerance regarding any type of drugs.
If this sounds like something that you would love to be a part of, then we think you’ll love our tours!
Frequently Asked Questions
Upon arrival in Dominica, almost everything that you will be doing is included in the tour price. Airport Transfers, drivers, tour guides, most meals, activities, site fees.
Anything that you do outside of scheduled tour activities. If you decide to do something that is not listed in the itinerary for your tour, that is not included in the price. Any extras that you may need or want are not included, such as souvenirs and personal care products. Any beverages and alcohol that you may want to consume that are not included with a meal are also not included. Additional food, snacks and desserts that you may want to consume that is not part of an included meal are not included. Meals not explicitly listed as “Included” on the itinerary that is located on the website are not included. The mandatory departure tax at the airport or ferry terminal when you leave Dominica is not included. International airfare is not included. Ferry services are not included in the tour price. Additional days added to your tour are not included.
Yes. A credit card will be put on file with the hotel on the day of arrival in order to check in to the hotel for any incidentals that you may incur. This includes destroying hotel property, from which you will be charged at the discretion of the hotel. Your hotel room price is included in the tour price. The credit card will only be charged by the hotel if you specifically break or destroy hotel property. You will need to charge your own credit card for any extra days that you might be staying outside of the tour dates. It is also very important to travel with a credit card in case you run into any issues or emergency situations.
After we have confirmed your spot on our trip, you can go ahead and book your flights. Remember, the longer you wait, the more expensive they will get.
Arriving: Ideally you want to arrive earlier in the day on the tour start date so that you can have time to unpack before your welcome dinner. The welcome dinner will most likely start around 7:30 pm. The last arriving flight to Dominica for the day is usually around 6pm. It takes some time to get through immigration and customs. It takes approximately 45 minutes to get to the hotel from the airport. If you arrive on one of the later flights, we will plan dinner a little later or take your plate of food to go and put it in your refrigerator for you. We understand there can be flight delays, and all kinds of things can go wrong, so we take that into consideration. There will always be someone to meet you at the airport no matter what time you arrive.
Leaving: You can depart the hotel at checkout time (11am) on the tour ending date or earlier depending on your flight time. Transportation to the airport will depend on the time of your departure flight and the schedule of the driver.
Extra Days: If you want to arrive earlier or leave later, or both, just ask us before you book your flight. The more notice, the better the chance of being able to extend your stay at the hotel. You will need to add on the extra days with your own payment method and you will be responsible for your own hotel contract for these extra days. Airport transfers for the extra days that you schedule (before or after tour dates) can be accommodated. There will be an extra fee of $50 USD each way if the date of arrival is different than the tour arrival and departure dates. The $50 USD fee will be paid by you directly to your driver at the time of service. This does not apply to anyone who has flight issues such as flight arrival or departure delays. We will make it work if your flight goes off timing.
It is unnecessary. This tour is set up for single adventurers who want to be solo, social and private. All rooms are based on this principle. If you book as a single, you stay in the accommodation privately.
PLEASE NOTE: If you book a double room with your friend, family member or significant other, please be sure to let us know in advance if you want one single bed or two beds PRIOR to your arrival. This is VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION for setting up your room.
PLEASE NOTE: This does NOT include the 3 nights at the eco- lodge on the CHASING WATERFALLS itinerary. The 3 nights at the eco lodge on the Chasing Waterfalls itinerary will be 3-4 travelers per unit of the same gender sleeping in a bunk bed. If you are coming on this tour with your significant other and require sharing the same bed/ private sleeping accommodation, you will need to sleep in a tent during this portion of the tour at the eco lodge because we do not have the capability to use a whole unit for only 2 guests.
No! This tour is based on solo adventurers.
Yes, of course, you are very welcome to bring a friend along. You can each get your own one-bedroom apartment under the single option at checkout, or you can choose to share a one-bedroom apartment by choosing the double occupancy option at checkout.
Yes. We can work with you as long as the due dates are met on time.
It is not the same.
Allergies: Absolutely
Vegetarian: Should not be a problem to accommodate at most restaurants because fresh fruit and vegetables are available daily, please give us advance notice.
Vegan: It will depend on the individual restaurants. We can work with the restaurants to help accommodate your needs.
We understand that plans can change. Things go wrong and people change their minds. That being said, once you book your trip with us, we start blocking reservations with drivers, guides and hotels. Once we do that, the same guides, drivers and hotels start to decline other potential guest requests in order to accommodate you. Once they decline other potential guests, they can’t get those potential guests’ inquiries back if you choose to cancel your spot on this tour. The guides, drivers and hotels have their own independent businesses, and we consider ourselves lucky to work with them. We must be respectful of this situation and act accordingly. We do not want to be the cause of another business losing potential revenue in order to accommodate our tours. Therefore, our cancellation policy is as follows and it is firm.
Relevant Cancellation Times & Charges:
- 61 or more days prior to the start date of your tour is 100% refund MINUS the mandatory deposit amount.
- 60 days – 46 days prior to the start date of the tour is a 50% refund AFTER the deduction of the mandatory deposit.
- 45 days or less prior to the start date of your tour is a ZERO refund.
- You may transfer your deposit to a different tour date PRIOR to 61 days before the start date of the tour.
Travel insurance is mandatory for all of our guests on all of our itineraries. This is to protect you. Dominica is a wonderful island, but it does come with some physical challenges sometimes. It is VERY IMPORTANT to have travel insurance. A little bit of “extra” cost, could save you many thousands later on. Travel insurance covers flight issues, medical expenses, lost luggage and so many more things. Again, the only reason that we make it mandatory is to ensure that you are protected through every aspect of your trip.
The currency used in Dominica is Eastern Caribbean Dollars (XCD). It is easier to use Easten Caribbean Dollars because you won’t have to do currency conversions when purchasing something, but you may use United States Dollars (USD) for anything you purchase. When you make purchases in USD, you will receive your change back in Eastern Caribbean Dollars. It is not necessary to exchange your money prior to getting to Dominica. There are few ATMs in Dominica and the banks are usually very crowded.
By air or ferry. The airport is Douglas Charles Airport in Marigot. There is currently no international airport in Dominica, so most flights require a layover somewhere else then board a smaller plane to get into Dominica. If you are flying, it is best to choose an early morning flight so that you can arrive on the same day. You will most likely always have a flight with layovers. There are a couple of different ferry companies that take you to Roseau or Portsmouth. Ferries come from St. Lucia, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
The airport is called Douglas Charles airport, and it is located in Marigot. The airport code is DOM.
Yes. Dominica electric is 230 Voltage. Dominica power outlet socket: Plug Type D and Type G. These have 3 prongs each. We recommend the brand Foval. Foval Power Step Down 220V to 110V Travel Voltage Converter International Power Adapter. It has the adapters and converters necessary for use in Dominica. It also comes with two regular USA sockets on the top as well as 4 USB sockets on the side. Enough to charge multiple devices at the same time.
When Booking Your Tour
- Prior to booking your trip, please read the Terms & Conditions which serve as a booking contract located on the website.
- Prior to booking your trip, please check your VISA REQUIREMENTS for yourself. This is your responsibility, not the responsibility of Flip Flops & Coconuts Tours.
- Upon paying your deposit, yourself and each person that you are booking for will need to acknowledge and sign the booking contract, cancellation policy and a waiver.
- You pay the deposit now and then the remaining balance is due 61 days prior to the start date of the tour.
- The deposit is always non-refundable, so please be sure that you want to go on this trip before you book it. The deposit can be transferred to a different tour in the future as long as your request of transfer is received 61 or more days prior to the start date of the tour.
- The remaining balance can be paid off in one lump sum or you might be able to set up a payment plan on the booking platform, Rezgo.
- It might be possible to pay by bank account (ACH) and save the service fees and booking fees associated with the booking site and Stripe. Reach out to us and inquire if this will work for you.
- You will get automatic confirmation from the booking site upon completing your booking.
- After booking, someone will contact you within 3 days to thank you for your booking, ask if you have any questions, and make sure that you are comfortable with your upcoming trip.
- Your tour will definitely go. Tours are not dependent on the number of people booking. If there are dates, it is going (UNLESS there is a weather-related catastrophe or geological catastrophe in Dominica).
- You can book your flights after booking your tour. If you need help understanding flights to Dominica, please just ask us for information. Contact us at: hello@flipflopsandcoconuts.com
I Booked a Tour, Now What?
1. 61 Days Before the Tour
a. You must have paid your balance in full prior to 61 days before the trip – this is when we confirm all of your accommodations, transportation and activities with the local business owners in Dominica. At this point, they are all holding this spot for your presence and therefore will be turning away other inquiries from other potential guests.
b. Upon receipt of your full balance, we will send you our “Trip Information” packet. This will provide helpful information so that you can better prepare for your upcoming trip. This includes things like weather conditions that you’re likely to experience and a packing list.
c. We will also send you a questionnaire asking for things like flight details, emergency phone contact, WhatsApp phone contact information & Dietary Allergies. This allows us to start organizing the finer details of the trip. We would also like to have a photo of you to help us locate you at the airport.
2. One Week Before the Tour
d. We will set up a WhatsApp group chat for this tour. This can be used for introductions, helpful information, and emergencies.
e. You will receive a list of important contact information for your arrival to Dominica. This will help with alternate modes of communication in case there are any flight delays or flight cancellations on your end. It will allow us to help you figure out an alternate option, if necessary, to get to Dominica, such as ferry schedules or hotel recommendations if stuck in-route to Dominica.
3.During the Tour
f. Your Tour Coordinator & Leader will be there for you during your entire trip, from arrival at Douglas Charles airport until the time that you are back at the airport for your departing flight. Your tour coordinator & leader will be there to help you navigate any issues that may arise or that are a concern for you.
