Martinique is the warmth of tropical Caribbean people with a dose of French charm added. Even though the island is situated miles from the mother-country, you can still enjoy red wine as if you were in France, and hear the French language mixed with the local patois. Yet Martinique has much to offer that France does not. Amazing rainforests, fuming volcanoes and warm Caribbean beaches make the island a perfect holiday paradise unmatched on the French side of the Atlantic.
Find your travel arrangement to Martinique (French) here
Region and City Guides
City:
Facts
Local name
Departement de la Martinique
Capital
Fort-de-France
Size
1,000 km2
Principal Languages
French, but also the dialect creole patois is spoken on Martinique
Principal Religion
Roman Catholicism
Inhabitants
414,516 (2000)
Government
French departement
Geography
Martinique is a tropical volcanic island in the northern Caribbean. There are high mountains and large volcanoes in the north, whereas the southern parts of the island are covered with sugar cane. There are beaches with black, white and mixed sand, but no matter what colour the sand has, it leads to beautiful turquoise water, which is pure and inviting.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
Autumn is the rainy season on Martinique, which otherwise is a pleasant tropical destination offering a high temperature all year around. From mid-July to mid-October is the peak season of hurricanes, and during this period it can be very dangerous to visit the island - even though Martinique has avoided the worst of the storms of the past few years.
Literature
Lonely Planet Eastern Caribbean
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
Weight: kilo
Temperature: degrees Celsius
Distances: kilometres
Cubic content: litre
Temperature: degrees Celsius
Distances: kilometres
Cubic content: litre
Photography
To avoid offending the inhabitants, ask for permission before taking photographs of them.
Drinking water
The drinking water is highly chlorinated but relatively safe to drink, especially in city areas. Sensitive stomachs may have problems with the high content of chlorine, therefore mineral water is sold almost everywhere.
Electricity
220 v AC, 60 Hz
Business Hours
The shops are open from 8.30 to 18.00 (Monday-Friday) and from 8.30 to 13.00 (Saturday).
The banks are open from 7.30 to 12.00 and from 14.30 to 16.00 (Monday-Friday).
The banks are open from 7.30 to 12.00 and from 14.30 to 16.00 (Monday-Friday).
Food and drink
There are both French and Caribbean features in the Martinique kitchen. The easy access to seafood is visible in the food, which is mainly fish and shellfish. Because of the tropical climate, deserts often include lots of exotic fruit. France provides the wine, but the local rum is an interesting alternative - especially mixed with lime-juice, bitter and syrup, which turn it into the local punch.
Disabled travellers
On Martinique there are not many facilities for the disabled. It is important to phone ahead concerning the facilities in hotels and on public transport.
Holidays
New Year's day, 1st January
1st may
V-E Day, 8th May
The Bastille Day, 14th July
Assumption, 15th August
All Saints Day, 1st November
Christmas Day, 25th December
Easter Sunday, March or April
Ascension Day
Whit Monday
1st may
V-E Day, 8th May
The Bastille Day, 14th July
Assumption, 15th August
All Saints Day, 1st November
Christmas Day, 25th December
Easter Sunday, March or April
Ascension Day
Whit Monday
Accommodation / Hotel
There are great overnight accommodation options on Martinique. There are plenty of Hotel rooms in several price categories. There are only a few youth hostels on the island, but a large number of B&B's. Furthermore there are several camping sites - on which it is also possible to rent houses or flats.
Book your Hotel in Martinique (French) here
Book your Hotel in Martinique (French) here
Camping
It is possible to camp almost everywhere on the island. In the mountains, on the beaches and in the forests are camping sites with more or less developed facilities. If you want to avoid having to bring a tent, it is also possible to rent a tent or caravan.
On Martinique there are more than 3600 Hotel rooms in 90 hotels, which means plenty of hotels to choose between.
Bed og breakfast or guesthouse
There are numerous Bed & Breakfast on Martinique. Guesthouses are run by local families from an organisation called les Relais Creoles. Moreover, private accommodation is organised by several organisations such as Gites de France, Martinique or Logis Vancances Antilles.
Hostels
There are a few youth hostels on the island. Examples are one outside the centre of Fort-de-France, and one in le Morne-Rouge.
Other Accommodation
Houses and flats can be rented all over the island. It is in fact also possible to rent a private island.
Local transport
Transportation on Martinique takes place by bus or minibus, which cover large parts of the island. Furthermore there are many cabs, and good car, scooter and moped rental possibilities.
Planes
Air Martinique lets out airplanes and helicopters for hire. However, the island is so small that air transportation is rarely necessary.
Bus
Minibuses called taxico or TC (taxi collectif) go all over the island. In certain region there are also local buses.
Trains
There is no railway on Martinique.
Taxi
On Martinique there are approximately 200 cabs at a reasonable price. The rate almost doubles between 20.00 and 06.00.
car rental
There is car rental at several places on the island, which also rent scooters and mopeds. To rent a car on Martinique you have to be 21 years old and have at least one year driving experience.
Boat or Ferry
Ferries leave from Fort-de-France to Pointe du Bout, and from Anse de l'Âne to Trois-Ilets.
