Martinique Vacation Guide

Introduction

Martinique is a slice of France set down in the tropics. Islanders wear Paris fashions and eat croissants. Zouk music pouring out of tape players, bars and nightclubs will remind you, however, that Martinicans have a culture of their own, solidly based on West Indian Creole traditions.

Urbanization has spread to much of the island, and most of Martinique's large towns feel like modern suburbs. Nevertheless, nearly a third of Martinique is forested and other areas are given over to pineapples, bananas and sugar cane fields. There are also plenty of hiking trails into the mountains.

Full country name: Department of Martinique
Area: 1,080 sq km
Population: 414,516
Capital City: Fort-de-France (pop 100,072)
People: African descent (90%) French (5%), plus Indian, Syrian &Lebanese
Language: French, English
Religion: Roman Catholic (90%), Seventh Day Adventist, Hindu, Jewish
Government: overseas départment of France
Time Zone: GMT/UTC - 4
Dialling Code: 596
Electricity: 220V ,50Hz
Currency: Euro (€)

We constantly update vacation deals and flights + hotel packages for Martinique and the Caribbean. You can also check out some of the best hotels and resorts in Martinique with exciting attractions like golf, casino, scuba diving and other water sports. Popular hotels & resorts in Martinique are Karibea Camelia Residence and Sofitel Bakoua Martinique.

US and Canadian citizens can stay up to 3 months by showing proof of citizenship. Citizens of the European Union (EU) need an official identity card, valid passport or French carte de séjour. Citizens of most other foreign countries, including Australia, need a valid passport and a visa for France. A roundtrip or onward ticket is officially required of visitors.
More Information About Visa Requirements

France has the best access to Martinique. Air France, AOM, Air Liberté and Nouvelles Frontières have daily flights between Paris and Martinique. It's also easy to get to the island from the US. American Airlines flights from Miami, New York and Boston connect at San Juan in Puerto Rico; Air France flies directly from Miami. Within the Caribbean, Air Martinique, Air Guadeloupe and Air France fly between Martinique and Guadeloupe, St Martin and St Lucia.

The best transportation option on Martinique is to rent a car. Your home driver's license is valid - as is driving on the right. Motorcycles can also be rented. Public transportation, the cheapest transport option, consists of buses known as taxi collectifs. One of the most useful routes runs between Fort-de-France and Saint-Pierre. There are a couple of regular ferries (vedettes) running between the main resort area of Pointe du Bout and Fort-de-France.

Martinique's only commercial airport is in Lamentin, 9km (6mi) east of Fort-de-France. The airport is just a 10-minute ride from the capital and about 20 minutes from the Pointe du Bout resort area. Taxis are readily available at the airport but are expensive.

Martinique is warm year-round, with temperatures usually peaking close to 30°C (around 85°F) during the day. Humidity is highest in September and lowest in April. The best time to go to Martinique is the slightly cooler, drier season of late winter to early spring (February to May). Note that this is also the peak tourist season and prices will be highest and attractions and lodgings most crowded.

Martinique has a spirited Mardi Gras Carnival during the five-day period leading up to Ash Wednesday each February/March. The streets fill with rum-fueled revelers and there are costume parades, music and dancing. Much of the activity is centered around La Savane in Fort-de-France.

Many of Martinique's nicest white or tan-sand beaches and best swimming are on the southwestern coast; the gray- and black-sand beaches on the northeastern coast generally have dangerous water conditions. In the Trois-Ilets area, Anse-à-l'Ane and Anse Mitan both have sandy beaches that attract crowds. Popular east-coast beaches include Cap Chevalier and Macabou to the south and the Caravelle Peninsula beaches.

Martinique's highlands offer great hiking within easy reach of Fort-de-France, particularly through the rainforest in the Pitons du Carbet or to the ruins of Château Dubuc on the Caravelle Peninsula.

There are tennis courts at many large hotels, and around 40 tennis clubs in Martinique. There is an 18-hole golf course at Trois-Ilets. Horse riding is a very enjoyable way to see Martinique’s lovely countryside. There is also horseracing at the Carère track at Lamentin.

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