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Territory of France

Caribbean

MartiniqueTravel guide

Explore Martinique visa rules

Martinique is a Caribbean island and an overseas department of France. It combines French and Caribbean culture, with mountains, rainforests, black sand beaches in the north and popular beaches in the south.

Why go

  1. Explore the mountains and rainforests in the north.

  2. Relax on the beaches in the south.

  3. Learn about sugar production and slavery at local museums.

  4. Try French and Creole food, fresh juices and local rum.

Best time to go: May or June offers fewer crowds and generally affordable rates. December to late April is the busy season, while July and August can also be expensive, so book early.

Getting there

By air

  • Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport is the island's only airport with scheduled flights. Its airport code is FDF.
  • Many flights from Paris use Orly airport rather than Charles de Gaulle. Check the airport carefully when arranging a connection.
  • The source lists flights from Paris, Belgium, Miami, Montreal, Toronto, nearby Caribbean islands and Cayenne in French Guiana.

By sea

  • Express des Iles runs ferries from surrounding islands.
  • Cruise ships visit during the tourist season. Smaller ships can dock near central Fort-de-France; passengers from larger ships may reach shore in small boats.

Customs

  • Martinique is part of France but is outside the Schengen Area, a group of European countries with shared border arrangements. Immigration checks apply when travelling between mainland France and Martinique.
  • Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can visit with a valid identity card.

Getting around

  • Car

    Hiring a car helps you reach more of the island's scenery. Most roads are in excellent condition. Drive on the right. Your driving licence from your home country is valid in Martinique. Unless signs say otherwise, speed limits are generally 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on major roads and 110 km/h on the motorway between the airport and Fort-de-France. Watch your speed, as there are speed cameras and police checks. Allow extra time to reach the airport during busy periods. The N5 road and Lamentin are particularly busy from 06:30 to 09:30 and 15:30 to 18:30.

  • Airport bus

    The airport has a rapid bus service called TCSP. A ticket costs €1.45. Buy your ticket from the machine at the stop outside the terminal, across the car park.

  • Shared minibuses

    Minibuses marked TC are called Taxi Collectifs, meaning shared taxis. Destinations appear in the front window or on the side door. Most services use the Taxi Collectif Terminal at Pointe Sinon in Fort-de-France. Stops usually have a square blue sign with a white bus. Fares are about €5 to Saint-Pierre, Pointe du Bout and Diamant, €7 to Sainte-Anne and €9 to Grand-Rivière. There are no timetables, and services can be unreliable. Most finish by 18:00 on weekdays and 13:00 on Saturdays, with no Sunday service.

  • Shuttle boats

    Boats run every 30 minutes from Pointe du Bout and Trois Ilet to Fort-de-France. The crossing avoids road traffic. Services finish between 17:45 and 20:00, depending on the day.

What to see and do

  • Maison de la Canne

    This museum near Trois-Ilets explains sugar cane production and its use of enslaved labour.

  • La Savane des Esclaves

    This open-air museum near Trois-Ilets explores slavery.

  • Habitation Clement

    Visit a historic sugar plantation.

  • Savane des pétrifications

    See the desert-like southern tip of the island near Sainte-Anne.

  • Fort-de-France Spice Market

    Browse stalls selling flowers, fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices.

  • Explore Gorges de la Falaise

    Walk and swim through a narrow river canyon near Ajoupa-Bouillon with a guide. Wear swimming clothes and hiking shoes, as some sections require swimming and the stones are slippery.

Food and drink

  • Creole cooking

    Try traditional island dishes at Creole restaurants. Many restaurants offer menus that combine Creole and French tastes.

  • French and international food

    Dining choices range from snack stands to expensive gourmet restaurants.

  • Beach and town snacks

    Food sellers offer crêpes, accras and boudin, along with fruit juices and coconut milk.

  • Tap water

    Tap water is safe to drink. Restaurants serve it free of charge.

  • Fresh fruit juice

    Fresh fruit juices are popular across the island.

  • Sugar cane juice

    Jus de canne is often sold from roadside vans. Ask for it to be made while you wait and drink it promptly, as it does not stay fresh for long.

Money

Euro (€), currency code EUR; one euro equals 100 cents.

  • Shops do not accept US dollars.
  • Some shops and many restaurants and hotels accept credit cards.
  • The source says credit cards or banks offer the best exchange rates. Not every bank exchanges foreign money, and some may send you to Fort-de-France.
  • Many shops close on Sundays and French public holidays. Check opening hours before paying for transport to a shopping area.

Typical costs

  • Airport bus ticket: €1.45.
  • Shared minibus journeys to the listed destinations: about €5–€9.
  • Gorges de la Falaise guided canyon visit: €7.
  • Anse Noire beach: free.
  • The cheapest rooms cost around €25 per night.
  • Le Paradis de l'Anse lists stays from €36; Centre International de Sejour Martinique lists beds from €38.
  • Karaoke-Café entry: €20, including a drink.

Language

  • French
  • Creole patois
  • English is spoken by some residents.
Bonjour
Hello; say this when entering a business.
Merci, au revoir
Thank you, goodbye; say this when leaving.
L'eau du robinet
Tap water.

Staying safe

  • Hurricanes can affect Martinique. The source discourages cruise travel in September because hurricane and tropical thunderstorm risks increase.
  • Stay away from manchineel trees, which have poisonous, corrosive sap. Their trunks are marked with a red stripe; never shelter beneath them during rain.
  • At Gorges de la Falaise, some sections can only be crossed by swimming. Wear hiking shoes for slippery stones and leave phones and large cameras at the guide's hut.
  • Women travelling alone may receive unwanted attention in tourist and beach areas. Ignore it or firmly say you are not interested.

Local customs

Do

  • Greet people with 'Bonjour' when entering a business.
  • Say 'Merci, au revoir' when leaving.
  • Be patient when service or daily activities move slowly.
  • Tell people if you do not understand French well, as they may speak quickly.

Don't

  • Do not behave impatiently or rudely.
  • Do not expect local people to be overly eager to please tourists.

Staying healthy

  • Bring plenty of sunscreen. Local pharmacies sell French sunscreen, which the source says can cost less than at Paris airport.
  • Drink plenty of water, especially when hiking. Strong heat can cause heat exhaustion and sunburn.
  • Wear a hat for protection from the sun.
  • Bring mosquito repellent. The source reports dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases, but no malaria.

Where to stay

  • Hotels, bed and breakfasts, villas and private islands are available to rent.
  • Camping is available in mountain and beach settings for a small fee, but you cannot camp just anywhere. Ask the Office National des Forets in Fort-de-France for details on (33) 596 71 34 50.
  • Le Paradis de l'Anse at Anse Figuier has a pool, restaurant, air-conditioned rooms with sea views and detached cabins. The source lists prices from €36.
  • PV-Holidays Saint Luce Holiday Village has air-conditioned studios and apartments where you can prepare your own meals. It has direct access to a white sand beach.

Outdoor adventures in Martinique

Martinique has mountains, rainforests and black sand beaches in the north, with many popular beaches in the south. Outdoor options include mountain hiking, a lighthouse walk, surfing and a guided canyon trip that combines walking and swimming.

  • Mont Pelée

    HikeNorthern Martinique

    Head to Mont Pelée in the mountainous north. Route and guide arrangements are not specified.

    • Carry plenty of water when hiking in the mountains.
    • Use sunscreen and wear a hat to protect yourself from strong sun.

  • Presqu'île de la Caravelle lighthouse walk

    HikePresqu'île de la Caravelle

    Easy 30 minutes up to the lighthouse

    Walk up to the lighthouse on Presqu'île de la Caravelle.

    • Carry water and protect yourself from strong sun.

  • Gorges de la Falaise canyon walk and swim

    More to donear Ajoupa-Bouillon

    Go to the canyon near Ajoupa-Bouillon and join the guide at the entrance hut. The entrance fee includes the guide.

    • Cost: €7
    • Some sections can only be crossed by swimming.
    • Wear swimming gear and hiking shoes because the stones are slippery. Suitable shoes can be rented at the entrance.

  • Anse Noire

    Beache

    Access the beach from Chemin rural de l'anse du Four, on the way to Anse d'Arlet.

    • Cost: Free
    • Be careful swimming during or after rain. Water running off nearby trees can cause stinging.

  • La Trinité surfing

    SurfingLa Triniténear La Trinité

    Head to the fishing village of La Trinité for surfing. Specific beaches, lessons and operators are not specified.

  • Savane des pétrifications

    More to doSouthern Martiniquenear Sainte-Anne

    Visit the desert-like landscape near Sainte-Anne, at the southern tip of the island.

    • Carry water and use sunscreen in the strong sun.

  • Jardin de Balata

    More to doBalatanear Balata

    Visit the tropical garden in Balata.

  • Macouba sea and mountain lookout

    More to donear Macouba

    A clear day

    Visit Macouba for views of the sea and mountains.

Airports, metros and trains in Martinique

Airports with scheduled flights

  • FDFMartinique Aimé Césaire International AirportFort-de-FranceMain international airport

People and safety in Martinique

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian97%
  • No religion2%
  • Other<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 9 of 16 countries can visit Martinique easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required8
  • Freedom of movement1
  • Visa required7

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Americas6 of 7 countries
  • Europe2 of 3 countries
  • Asia1 of 6 countries

Questions

Is Martinique part of France?

Martinique is a territory linked to France, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit France.

Does a France visa let me visit Martinique?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for France may not cover Martinique. Check the Martinique visa page for your passport.

When is a good time for a first visit?

May or June offers fewer crowds and generally affordable rates. December to late April is the busiest season.

How do I get to Martinique?

Fly to Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport, or take an Express des Iles ferry from a surrounding island. Cruise ships also visit.

Do I need to hire a car?

A car helps you reach more of the island's scenery because public transport is limited. Shared minibuses have no timetables and do not run on Sundays.

Can I pay with US dollars?

Shops do not accept US dollars; the currency is the euro. Some shops and many restaurants and hotels accept credit cards.

Will people understand English?

Some residents speak English. French and Creole patois are spoken on the island.

Is tap water safe to drink?

Yes. Restaurants will also serve tap water free of charge.

What food can I try?

Try Creole and French cooking, or buy crêpes, accras and boudin from beach sellers and snack stands.

Can I find a cheap place to stay without booking online?

The source says family-run rooms can cost around €25 per night. Taxi drivers may help you find them.

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