When is the best weather in Martinique?

Martinique excels in warm, sunny weather, averaging temperatures between
21°C (70°F) and 28°C (83°F) whether it’s January or July. Measurable rain
falls an average of 13 days a month in April, the driest month, and about
twice as often in September, the rainiest month. Martinique’s average
humidity is high, ranging from 80% in March and April to 87% in October
and November. The mountainous northern interior is both cooler and rainier
than the coast.

Do I need a passport to visit Martinique?

When traveling internationally, carry your passport even if you don’t need one
(it’s always the best form of I.D.) and make two photocopies of the data page
(one for someone at home and another for you, carried separately from your passport).
If you lose your passport, promptly call the nearest embassy or consulate and the
local police.

All visitors must have a valid passport and a return or ongoing ticket.

The best time to apply for a passport, or to renew your old one, is in fall or
winter. Before any trip, check your passport’s expiration date, and, if necessary,
renew it as soon as possible.

Is the water safe to drink?

Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not
pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Do I need electrical adaptors for my hairdryer/radio etc?

Most tourist locations are equipped with 220-volt electrical outlets. If you’re
coming from North America and plan to use your own appliances, bring a converter
kit with adapters.

Are there any airport fees?

None except for charter flights.

FFr 75 payable in local currency is levied on all foreign nationals.

What is the legal drinking/gambling age?

The legal age for both drinking and gambling is 18 years.

Can I get married in Martinique?

At least one of the pair must reside on the island for 30 days to receive
residency allowing them to apply for a license.

Cost: None

Couples wishing to get married on Martinique must present an original
birth certificate or a copy with a raised seal.

Other documents required include a certificate of good conduct, with
certification of single status.

Also required is a residency card. Please note that one member of the
betrothed couple must have resided on the island for at least one month.

A medical certificate, including proof of a blood test, is also
required and must be issued within three months of the marriage.

French translations of English-language documents must be provided.
At the wedding ceremony, a “Bulletin de Mariage” and a “Livret de
Famille” will be presented.

No fee is involved.

Can I bring my pet to Martinique?

You can temporarily import animals over three months with a health certificate
and a record of inoculations, which must include a rabies shot, issued by a
licensed veterinarian from the country of origin. The rabies shot must have
been administered at least 30 days and not more than 12 months prior to visiting.

For more information contact the Department of Agriculture (Chambre d’agriculture
de la Martinique) at Place d’Armes, BP 312 – 97286 Le Lamentin; tel 05-96-51-75-75;
fax 05-96-51-93-42; e-mail chambagr@ais.mq or accueil@apca.chambagri.fr;

What about fishing?

Hotels will help set up deep-sea fishing if given a day or two’s notice. The
most popular catches: dolphin, kingfish, bonito, barracuda and tuna. A good
contact for charters is Yves Pelisson in Le Diamant whose two boats are Little
Queeny and Maverick Too (Tel: 596 596 76.24. 20; Fax: 596 596 76.13.47).
Marine Hotel (Tel: 596 596 76.46.00), also in Le Diamant, organizes sport
fishing trips, as does Caribtours (Tel: 596 596 50.93.52).

In Bellefontaine, Association Coup de Senne can arrange for visitors to fish
in typical island fashion with fishermen (Tel/fax. 596 596 55.13.88). For surf-
casting, best bets are Cap Macre, Cap Ferre and Cap Chevalier in Sainte-Anne.

Can I use a metal detector on the beaches?

There are no restrictions on the use of metal detectors.

Where are the “clothing optional” beaches?

Although there are no official nude beaches topless bathing is common.

Martinique – Anse Traubaud is a pretty beach with many palm trees.

It’s topless as a general rule – be sure to check locally before going nude.
You can also check out Petite Anse de Salines and decide yourself if going
nude will be acceptable. Opinions vary on that one. It can be reached by a
foot trail from the Anse Traubaud parking area.

What is there to see or do in Martinique?

Centre des Metiers d’Art
Rue Ernest Deproge, Fort-de-France, Martinique 97200 · 596-70-25-01

Galleria
Acajou Lamentin, Le Lamentin, Martinique 97232 · 596-50-66-63

Casino de la Bateliere Plazza
Quart Bateliere Schoelcher, off route Alizes, Schoelcher, Martinique 97233·
596-61-73-23

Les Grands Ballets of Martiniquais
cite Artisanale Dillon, Fort-de-France, Martinique 97200 · 596-63-43-88

Martinique is a great place, can I move there?

Americans living or traveling in the French West Indies are encouraged to register
with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel
registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov , and to obtain updated
information on travel and security within the French West Indies.

The U.S. Embassy is located in the First Caribbean International Bank Building
on Broad Street. Internet: http://bridgetown.usembassy.gov. The Consular Section
is open for American Citizens Services from 8:30am to 11:30am and 1:00 to 2:00pm,
Monday-Friday, except Barbados and U.S. holidays. For after-hours service, American
citizens may contact the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados,
telephone 1-246-436-4950.

The U.S. Consular Agency in Martinique is located at the Hotel Valmeniere #615,
Avenue des Arawaks, 97200 Fort de France, telephone (011) (596) (596) 75-6754,
fax (011) (596) (596) 70-8501, email: usconsulaireagencemartinique@wanadoo.fr.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm, except French and
U.S. holidays.

What about island hopping?

Fort-de-France to Trois-Ilets, Anse-Mitan beach and
Anse à l’Ane: From early morning until late afternoon,
Vedettes Madinina,
Tel. 596 596 63 06 46, fax. 596 596 63 80 68

Fort-de-France to Trois-Ilets downtown Matinik Cruise Line
travels from Fort-de-France to downtown Trois-Ilets Monday
to Saturday. – Fort-de-France to Sainte-Anne, via Anses d’Arlet
Tuesday to Saturday and Sunday, Societe Martiniquaise Saintannaise,
Tel. 596 596 76.73.45 or 596 596 76.83 23, Fax. 596 596 52.14.73.

Can I access the Internet from Martinique?

open weekdays from 10 AM to 1 PM and Saturday 6 PM to 1 AM. In Pointe du Bout,
Prolavnet is both an Internet cafe and a laundrette. There’s also Internet service
at the main post office and in some of the branches in other towns like Le Francois.
In Le Marin, the Calebasse Cafe, a music venue by night, has an Internet station;
it’s closed Monday but opens early, at 7 AM. Local ISPs include Net Antilles
(website: www.antilles-net.com) and Wanadoo.

Calebasse Cafe
19 bd. Allegre
Le Marin, Martinique
PHONE: 0596/74-84-20

Cyber Cafe Blenac
Rue Blenac
Fort-de-France
Martinique
PHONE: 0596/70-31-62

Prolavnet
Villa Creole
Pointe du Bout
Martinique
PHONE: 0596/66-07-79

Can I use my cellular telephone in Martinique?

GSM 900/1800 networks in use. Roaming agreements in operation. Network providers
include Bouygues Telecom Caraïbe and Orange Caraïbe (website: www.orange.gp).
Coverage extends throughout the French Antilles and in French Guiana.

What is the Dress code in Martinique?

Dress in Martinique is casual. Still, it is unacceptable to wear bathing suits,
short shorts, and short tank tops in public. For dinner collared shirts are
suitable for men and light cotton sundresses for women. You may want to bring
a light sweater/jacket for evenings.

Do you need a driving License?

Driving is on the right side of the road and valid driver’s license is needed to
rent a car. Minimum age is 21. Buses are inexpensive as are collective taxis with
the sign TC.

Emergencies Contact Information?

Ambulance (PHONE: 0596/70-36-48 or 0596/71-59-48).
Fire (PHONE: 18).
Police (PHONE: 17).

Hospital:

Hôpital Pierre Zabla Quitman
(Lamentin. PHONE: 0596/55-20-00).

Hôpital Maison Retraite (Trois Illets,
Martinique. PHONE: 0596/66-30-00).

CHG Louis Domergue (R Strade, Trinite,
Martinique. PHONE: 0596/66-46-00).

Hôpital du Marin (Bd. Allegre, Marin,
Martinique. PHONE: 0596/74-92-05).

Hôpital de St-Pierre (Rue Percee, St-Pierre,
Martinique. PHONE: 0596/78-18-24).

Hôpital Pierre Zabla Quitman (Lamentin,
Martinique. PHONE: 0596/55-20-00).

Pharmacies:

Pharmacie Cypria (Bd. General de Gaulle,
Fort-de-France. PHONE: 0596/63-22-25).

Pharmacie de la Paix (Corner rue Victor Schoelcher
and rue Perrinon, Fort-de-France. PHONE: 0596/71-94-83).

What are the entry requirements in Martinique?

American, Canadian, and British citizens require a valid passport. All visitors
must also have an onward or return ticket.

Nationals of other countries may require visas. Consult your nearest France
consulate or embassy.

What is the language in Martinique?

The official language of Martinique is French. Others: Creole patois.

What are the store hours in Martinique?

Stores that cater to tourists are generally open weekdays 8:30-6, Saturday 8:30-1.
Many stores in Fort-de-France close 12:30-2 for lunch.

What about tipping?

All restaurants include a 15% service charge in their menu prices. You can always
add to this if you feel that service was particularly good.

Can you use credit cards?

Major credit cards are accepted in hotels and restaurants in Fort-de-France and
the Pointe du Bout areas, and you will generally get a favorable exchange rate
on purchases; few establishments in the countryside accept them. Many establishments
are no longer accepting American Express because its fees are too high, so be certain
not to leave home without it, but also carry a second or third card, a MasterCard or
Visa. There’s generally a 20% discount on luxury items paid for with traveler’s
checks or with certain credit cards.

Travelers cheques:
Accepted in most places, and may qualify for discounts on luxury items. To avoid
additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques
in Euros or US Dollars.

Is there a best time to visit the island?

High season runs from mid-November through May, and the island can be quiet the
rest of the year, with some hotels closing down for months, particularly in
September and October. Those places that remain open offer significant discounts.

Is there an airport?

Martinique’s ultramodern International Lamentin Airport near Fort-de-France, has
regular flights daily on American Airlines (from N.Y., Newark and other U.S.
cities to Pointe a pitre) with connections on Air Caraibes from Pointe a Pitre.
From Miami, Air France flies jets (737′s) daily. BWIA offers daily service from
JFK with a LIAT connection in Antigua or Barbados. Air Caraibes fly to and from
Guadeloupe, St.Martin, St. Lucia (Vieux Fort), Dominica, Antigua, St. Vincent,
Grenada and Trinidad. Air Antilles fly several times a day to and from Guadeloupe
and St Martin but also to and from St Domingo (Dominican Rep) and St Barth.
LIAT also serves nearby islands. In 2004, Martinique welcomed 514,470 stay-over
visitors.

Lamentin International Airport (PHONE: 0596/42-16-00).

What about Taxes?

A resort tax varies from city to city. Each has its own tax, with most between
EUR.76 and EUR1.25 per person per day; the maximum is EUR2.25. Rates quoted by
hotels usually include a 10% service charge; however, some hotels add 10% to
your bill.

What about Banks?

ATMs
ATMs generally accept Visa and MasterCard on the Cirrus/Plus and Maestro networks.
Credit Agricole has ATMs located in Fort-de-France at 106 General de Gaulle St,
58 Ernest Deproge St, Lamentin International Airport, and at the Cluny Commercial
Centre, as well as on Schoelcher St in Rivière-Salee. La Poste and Credit Mutuel
also have ATMs at the airport.

The main banks are Banque Francaise Commerciale, Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP),
Bred – Credit Martiniquais, Credit Agricole, Banque des Antilles Francaises (BDAF),
Credit Mutuel, and Societe Generale de Banque aux Antilles (SGBA).

Banking and business hours:

Bank hours vary greatly between branches. In general they are open Monday through
Friday anytime between 7:30/8:45am and 12:30/1:15pm and reopen after lunch anytime
between 1:45/2:30pm and 4/5:30pm. Some are closed all day on Monday as well as
Wednesday afternoons after 12:30/1:45pm. Some are open on Saturday anytime
from 7:30/9am until 12 noon/1pm

What about Crime?

Martinique is a reasonably safe island, where crime is not a major concern. In
Fort-de-France, however, exercise the same safety precautions you would in any
large city. And never leave jewelry or money unattended on the beach or in your
car. Except for the area around Cap Chevalier and the Caravelle Peninsula, the
Atlantic waters are rough and should be avoided by all but expert swimmers.

Calling to and from Martinique?

To call Martinique from the United States, dial 011 + 596 + 596 + the local six-digit
number (you must dial 596 twice). If calling from Guadeloupe you should dial 0596 and
the six digits. Numbers with the 0696 prefix are for cell phones. The Outgoing
international code: 19.

Should I exchange my money for local currency?

Since January 2002 the Euro has been the official currency for the French
Overseas Departments (Departements d’outre-mer), French Guiana, Guadeloupe,
Martinique and Reunion. For further details, exchange rates and currency
restrictions, see France section. US Dollars are also accepted in some
places.

Currency exchange:
All major currencies can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change.