Highlights
Mount Pelée
The active volcano in the north of the island is a demanding hike through cloud forest to a summit often wrapped in mist. The volcanic and forested landscapes of northern Martinique were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2023.
Saint-Pierre
Once the island's main city, Saint-Pierre was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902, which killed almost the entire population. Ruins of the theatre and the prison cell where one of the few survivors sheltered are still visible.
Les Salines
On the southern tip near Sainte-Anne, a long arc of white sand lined with coconut palms is regarded as the island's most beautiful beach. It is busy at weekends with local families.
Jardin de Balata
A botanical garden in the hills above Fort-de-France with thousands of tropical plants, hummingbirds and a canopy walkway of rope bridges between the trees.
Rhum agricole distilleries
Martinique's rum is distilled from fresh sugar cane juice rather than molasses and carries a French appellation of origin. Several historic distilleries and plantation houses around the island welcome visitors for tours and tastings.
Presqu'île de la Caravelle
A peninsula on the Atlantic coast with a nature reserve, coastal trails through dry forest and mangroves, and the ruins of the Château Dubuc plantation.
Les Anses-d'Arlet
A fishing village on the south-west coast with a small church right on the beach and a wooden jetty. Snorkellers often see sea turtles grazing in the bays nearby.
Diamond Rock
A volcanic rock rising steeply from the sea off the south coast. The British navy occupied it during the Napoleonic Wars and listed it as if it were a ship, HMS Diamond Rock. Today it is a popular dive site.
Interesting facts about Martinique
- Joséphine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, was born in Martinique at Les Trois-Îlets in 1763.
- The poet and politician Aimé Césaire, one of the founders of the négritude movement, was born in Martinique and served as mayor of Fort-de-France for more than fifty years.
- Martinique's rhum agricole was the first rum to receive a French appellation d'origine contrôlée, in 1996.
- The island's old Carib name is often given as Madinina, meaning island of flowers, and it is still used affectionately today.
- As part of France, Martinique is one of the outermost regions of the European Union, even though it lies in the Caribbean.
Best time to visit
The dry season, known as carême, from about December to May, is the most popular time, with sunshine and steady trade winds. Carnival, held in the days before Ash Wednesday, fills the streets of Fort-de-France with parades. The wetter season runs from roughly June to November and overlaps with the Atlantic hurricane season, when heavy rain and storms are more likely, particularly from August to October. Temperatures are warm all year, though it is cooler and wetter in the mountains.
Practical information
| Capital | Fort-de-France |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Languages | French |
| Plugs | Type C, E |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 112 (general), 15 medical, 17 police, 18 fire |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Service is included in restaurant bills, as in mainland France. Leaving a little extra for good service is appreciated but not expected. |
Getting around
A rental car is the most practical way to explore, as public transport outside Fort-de-France is limited. Shared minibuses called taxis collectifs connect towns, but they mostly run during the day and not on Sundays. Ferries cross the bay from Fort-de-France to Trois-Îlets and Anse Mitan, a pleasant way to avoid traffic around the capital. Roads in the north are steep and winding, and traffic around Fort-de-France can be heavy at rush hour.
Staying connected in Martinique
Mobile coverage is good in Fort-de-France, the southern beach towns and along most main roads, with 4G widely available. In the rainforest of the north, on the slopes of Mount Pelée and in some valleys and coves, signal can be weak or absent. Hotels, guesthouses and many cafés offer Wi-Fi. EU roaming rules generally apply to French overseas regions for EU plans, but check yours. Visitors from elsewhere should install an eSIM before they fly and switch it on when they land.
See Martinique eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Martinique
- Waze: Widely used for driving around the island, with live traffic alerts around Fort-de-France.
- Google Maps: Find beaches, trailheads and distilleries, and download offline areas for the north.
- Google Translate: French is the language of daily life, and English is less common outside tourist areas.