Martinique Local Information
The official currency of Martinique is the Euro, however U.S. dollars are also widely accepted.
The official languages are French and Creole.
Driving is on the right.
Entry Requirements: Passport
Average yearly temperature is 79° F. Average annual rainfall is 76 inches. Rainy season is July through November.
Martinique is on Atlantic Standard Time (Eastern Standard Time plus 1 hour or Greenwich Mean Time minus 4 hours). This island does not convert to daylight savings time.
Beaches: All of the beaches are public and topless bathing is prevalent. For calm waters, stick to the Caribbean side and expect to pay a fee for entry to some beaches.
Hurricanes may occur any time from June through November and, historically, the most likely time is during September.
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Martinique
For a touch of France in the Caribbean!
Settled by France in 1635, Martinique remains a French possession to this day - something you'll appreciate as you take in the island's French/Creole cuisine, stylish boutiques and markets that dish up fabulous pates, cheeses and baguettes. Add in hefty doses of Creole joie de vivre, West Indian charm, lush tropical terrain and gorgeous beaches, and you've got "Paris in the Tropics."
Part of the Lesser Antilles, Martinique faces the Caribbean on the west and the Atlantic on the east. About 50 miles long and 21 miles at its widest point, its beautiful, diverse terrain is a pleasure to explore.
Martinique offers almost everything for visitors except golf - there's only one course on the island. The water sports are ample, including diving, sailing, deep sea fishing, parasailing, jet skiing, and windsurfing. Sunshine is plentiful and the beaches range from secluded to crowded, and you'll also find topless beaches much like the south of France.
The capital, Fort-de-France, has all the luxuries of the French mainland, with fine restaurants and plenty of upscale shopping. Creole customs are dominant, although the culture is a sumptuous mixture of French, Caribbean, and Spanish heritage.
With abundant sea-life from the coast to the deep waters of the sea, exploring the underwater life is an interesting and exciting outing. Fish and coral are abundant near the coast for the snorkelers, while sunken ships and deep-water schools keep divers fascinated.
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What To Do & See
1. Grande Anse D'Arlet Beach: On an island of stunning sun-kissed beaches, Grande Anse is a popular favorite. Fronted by calm, transparent waters, surrounded by lush hills and home to several low-key cafes, the beach is a pleasant place to spend a day.
2. Mount Pelee: Hike to the summit of this famous volcano, and you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of incomparable beauty! After your climb, head for nearby Saint Pierre to relax over lunch at an outdoor cafe.
3. The Banana Museum: At this working farm, you'll learn everything there is to know about bananas! After you take a tour, shop for unique gifts made from banana plants - including perfume, soap, jam, dolls and hats.
4. Clement House: Still thriving after three centuries, this plantation in La Trinite is one of the island's most distinctive landmarks. Here, you can tour a historic home, a sunny botanical garden, a distillery and a rum museum.
5. Le Carbet: In this up-north town, you can visit the zoo, with its brightly colored iguanas and exotic birds, or tour the town's butterfly Garden, located on the ruins of a 17th century plantation.
6. Trois-Ilets: Hop a ferry in Fort-de-France for a 20-minute ride to this lovely village. At La Pagerie, the childhood home of Napoleon's empress, Josephine, displays of fascinating mementos include a love letter from Napoleon.
7. Fort-De-France: Don't miss this island's bustling capital. From the Paris-style cafes and boutiques on rue Victor Hugo to La Savane city park to the Spice market, the city's a lovely blend of French and Creole influences.
There is a wealth of sightseeing opportunities on this large, diverse island, and an excellent resource for information is the Martinique Tourist Office, located on the Boulevard Alfassa, which borders the waterfront in Fort-de-France. The Tourist Office is open from 7:30 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 17:30, Monday through Friday (except Friday, 17:00), and from 8:00 to noon on Saturday. Complimentary maps, magazines and information bulletins are available at the Tourist 0ffice, and the English-speaking staff is very helpful with suggestions about what to see and do.
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MARTINIQUE: Weddings
Documents required for foreigners to wed:
- Original birth certificate (or copy with raised seal);
Certificate of good conduct (including certification of "single status");
Residency card (one of the couple must have resided on the island at least one month prior to the ceremony);
Medical certificate (including blood test) issued within 3 months of marriage;
French translation of English language documents.
A Bulletin de Mariage and Livret de Famille are delivered at the ceremony.
No fee is involved.
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Visit Honeymoon Forums to discuss honeymoons and destination weddings.
This island paradise lures visitors with its stunning scenery, beautiful beaches and air of French sophistication.
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