Ontdek de Franse Antillen! Martinique fly & drive

Situated in the Lesser Antilles in the heart of the Caribbean, the rugged volcanic island of Martinique boasts awe-inspiring landscapes and fascinating culture, which reflects a distinctive blend of French and West Indian influences. The terrain features forested mountains, sparkling bays, and vast stretches of pristine beaches lapped by crystalline turquoise waters. The island offers visitors a wide range of wonderful adventure activities (canyoning, horse riding, kitesurfing, jet skiing, kayaking, and diving), as well as some exquisite cycling and hiking trails. Explore the bustling capital city of Fort-de-France, discover the island's numerous scattered ruins and historical monuments and sample the locally made rum (Martinique is called the 'Rum Capital of the World' for a reason). Martinique is also known for its incredible cuisine - so make sure to do a little restaurant hopping.

Currency

The Euro is the official currency for the French Overseas Departments, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. US Dollars are also accepted in some places. American Express, Diners Club and Visa cards are accepted in the major tourist areas. Mastercard has limited acceptance. Cards can also be used in ATMs.

Banking

Banking hours: Monday-Friday 08h00-1200 and 14h30-16h30.

Travellers Cheques are accepted in most places and may qualify for discounts on luxury items.To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Euros or US Dollars. All major currencies can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change.

Air France operates direct flights to Martinique from Paris, with connections from the UK. Norwegian flies direct to Martinique from New York. American Airlines flies non-stop from Miami.

The road system is well developed and surfaced. The island has excellent car hire facilities. You can also hire bikes and mopeds. Plentiful and reasonably cheap if shared. The majority of taxis are Mercedes-Benz. Main taxi stands are at major hotels, resorts and the airport.

The island’s cuisine is characterised by French and Caribbean influences. Creole cuisine is also widely available and is an original combination of French, Indian and African traditions seasoned with exotic spices.

Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Tipping 10% is acceptable customary.

The French Overseas Department of Martinique, a volcanic and picturesque island, is the northernmost of the Windward Caribbean group. The island is noticeably more rocky than those of the Leeward group, with beaches (of fine black or white or peppered sand) surrounded by sugar, palm, banana and pineapple plantations.

Martinique experiences a temperate climate with warm weather throughout the year. The main rainy season occurs in the autumn. Showers can occur at other times of the year, but they are usually brief. It is cooler towards the interior in the upland areas.

Wall outlets in Martinique are Type C (CEE 7/16 Europlug) and Type E (CEE 7/5 Schuko) and supply electricity at 220 volts AC / 50 Hz frequency. While Type C and Type E outlets are very similar, their respective plugs' pins are different in size, and therefore ultimately they're physically incompatible and not interchangeable. Type C pins are 4.0 mm in diameter, while Type E pins are 4.8mm in diameter. Outlets in any given specific building or room could be of either type, so you'll need to account for both. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 220-240 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.