Practical information

To travel to Martinique, you'll need a passport valid for at least 3 months. 

Travelers from mainland France: a valid identity card will suffice. 

In the event of a stopover in a foreign country, you'll need a valid passport.

If you are coming from outside France and the French Overseas Departments and Territories, and are planning a stay of more than 3 months:

• Residents of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), Andorra, Monaco and Switzerland: identity card,
• As Martinique is not part of the Schengen area, holders of a Schengen visa will need to obtain the DOM (Départements d'Outre-Mer) VISA extension,
• Citizens of the United States and Canada: passport required and visa if stay exceeds 3 months.
• Inhabitants of Saint Lucia and Dominica: visa required for stays over 15 days,
• For departure from the following destinations, a valid passport is sufficient: Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, South Korea, Vatican City, Singapore, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela.

If you don't tick one of the above categories, you'll need a Visa. If necessary, check on this site.

No vaccinations are required to enter Martinique. However, some are recommended if you live in a high-risk country (hepatitis and yellow fever).

The health restrictions linked to COVID 19 no longer apply since August 2022. Thus, no tests or vaccinations are required to enter the territory.

Martinique is a French department.The Carte Vitale works, your mutual insurance companies usually operate on the island even if reimbursements and rates depend, as in France, on the status of the doctor (conventionné secteur 1, 2 or 3).

You can find numerous pharmacies all over the island, particularly in the center of the island towards Fort de France and Le Lamentin.

Tap water is drinkable everywhere.

The risks of theft or assault are very low in Martinique. Despite this, it's a good idea to bear in mind some common-sense rules to avoid unpleasant surprises:

• Don't leave any visible objects in cars, 
• Avoid withdrawing large sums of money from ATMs,
• On the beaches, theft is extremely rare, so you can leave your belongings on the sand with valuables safely stowed away without fear, always keeping an eye out.

The main risks are heat and sun, mosquito bites, poisonous plants and unsupervised swimming in the sea.

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In Martinique, theclimate is tropical.The temperature is around 28 degrees all year round, rising to 31 degrees in dry periods or dropping to 22 degrees at night in winter.

There is a 5-hour time difference between France and Martinique in winter and 6 hours in summer. When it's noon in Paris, it's 6 a.m. in Fort de France.

In Martinique,French is the common language and Creole the regional language. 
 

Martinique has every means of communication: wifi, telephone, fax, international network access, mobiles...

The Internet network is powerfuland most hotels and restaurants offer wifi access, also available at the airport. Telephone numbers in Martinique all have 10 digits and start with 05 96 for landlines or 06 96 for mobiles.

In Martinique, the currency is the same as in mainland France: it's the Euro.

The dollar is generally accepted in shops and taxis. Dollars can be converted into euros at exchange offices in downtown Fort-de-France and at the airport. ATMs are open 24 hours a day throughout the island.

Credit card payment is widely recommended.

The North, bordered on the West by the Caribbean Sea and on the East by the Atlantic Ocean, is the most natural, authentic and wild part of Martinique. Less touristy than the south, there are fewer hotels to choose from in this part of the island. Paradise for those who want to stay in the heart of nature.

Discover the North

The South, more idyllic and lively, offers incredible beaches of fine white sand, numerous nautical activities such as snorkeling, as well as a large number of establishments and accommodation of all kinds. The choice of hotels, restaurants and activities is greater in the larger towns and more touristy areas.

Discovering the South

Some hotels benefit from a car rental service, offer and house incredible gourmet or traditional restaurants, offer an airport shuttle service or even a spa and wellness area.

In Martinique, the ranges of services are very different and are expanding year on year. There are currently six 4-star hotels and one 5-star hotel on the island, and new concepts are emerging with establishments dedicated to families, others aimed at backpackers on the move, or even unusual or charming accommodations.

In terms of price, in Martinique, small family hotels cost from €60 to €120 a night, large hotels from €150 to €250 a night and hotel residences from €300 to €500 a week for a studio or €400 to €800 a week for an F2. 

Discover all accommodations

The best way to get around Martinique is by car. You can rent a car anywhere on the island! There are rental agencies at the airport, but many are also available online so you can make your reservations in advance.

Discover service providers

The bus network in the south of the island has a well-developed network, covering 12 communes, notably between Les Trois-Îlets and Sainte-Anne. It is advisable to check schedules and routes in advance, as frequencies may vary. For travel in the center and north of the island, the towns are served by bus or via the TCSP. All the information you need is on the Martinique Transport.

Taxi fares are approximately €40/hour for 1 to 4 people. For 4 to 8 people, count €10/hour per person.

You also have maritime shuttles! Fast and comfortable, these boats connect Fort-de-France to Pointe du Bout. Cost €5 one way, €7 return.