MARTINIQUE
Fly to Martinique from 414 €
Formalities
Before leaving, you will need :
- a valid identity card
- or a valid passport
Information on customs and security formalities is provided as a guide. Under no circumstances may Corsair be held responsible if your official documentation is not in order.
To prepare your trip we advise you to contact the Tourist Office (Centre Martinique) :
29 rue Victor Hugo - 97200 Fort-de-France
Hours : Monday to Friday: 8am-4pm. Saturday : 8am-1:30pm
Telephone : +596 596 800 070
E-mail : contact@tourisme-centre.fr
Helpful tips
No vaccinations are mandatory. However, provide sunscreens, sunglasses and mosquito repellents.
On site
Shopping hours
Most shops are open from 08:00 to 18:00 with a break between 12:00 and 14:00pm.
Transport
There is only one bus company that serves a good portion of the island. Faced with their sometimes irregular schedules and depending on your routes, it may be more judicious to rent a car. Otherwise, the local population travels by shared taxis, which, however, are not the most economical means of transportation. Finally, regular boat connections will allow you to easily reach the neighboring islands.
Security
While enjoying the stunning beaches of Martinique, please make sure to adhere to safety guidelines, such as the bathing flags.
Services
Post offices are open until 16:00 from Monday to Friday, and from 08:00 to 12:00 on Saturday, while banks are open from 08:00 to 16:00 from Monday to Saturday. Some also close on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Holidays and celebrations
- Carnival of Martinique
- Easter
- Foire Expo of Martinique
- Labor Day on May 1st
- Victory Day on May 8th, 1945
- Ascension Day: 40 days after Easter
- Abolition of Slavery Day on May 22th
- National Day on July 14th
- Cultural Festival of Fort de France
- end of the sugar cane recolts in Sainte-Marie
- Assumption Day on August 15th
- All Saints' Day on November 1st
- Armistice of November 11th, 1918
- Festival des Sens in Sainte-Lucie
- Christmas on December 25th
- New Year's celebration
The essentials
Not to be missed
The exploration of the island (by 4x4, on foot, or on horseback) and beach activities will perfectly punctuate your stay: set out to discover its wild expanses, waterfalls and streams, virgin forests, volcanic landscapes, and the stunning Caribbean beaches with their lagoons and coral reefs.
A multitude of hikes can be planned in certain areas where the tropical forest is abundant, such as the circuit of Absalon, Fond Baron, Absalon cascade, or the plateau Michel. And in the water, the exploration continues with numerous spots for scuba diving!
On the "Island of Flowers," you'll also enjoy visiting sugarcane fields, the city of Fort-de-France and its markets, as well as the breathtaking terrain of Mount Pelée. Several museums and historical sites can also provide you with insights into the island's past and its rich ecosystem.
Gastronomy
Martinican cuisine is simple and generous. Born from the blend of all the peoples who have made a stop here, it is diverse and flavorful due to its African, metropolitan, and Indian (such as colombo) influences.
Primarily based on seafood, Martinican dishes commonly involve marinating meat and fish in a seasoning (often with Caribbean peppers) to enhance their flavor. The abundant use of cassava flour is also notable.
Boudin, accras, féroce d'avocat, and grilled fish are, of course, among the other great Caribbean specialties. Rum is also the traditional drink of the archipelago, and you can unravel all its secrets by visiting one of the island's many distilleries!
Culture
The homeland of Aimé Césaire
Fort-de-France is intimately linked to the famous Martinican poet and politician. A true guiding figure of the city, where he served as mayor for 46 years, Aimé Césaire passed away in 2008. He notably founded the literary movement of Negritude and fought against colonialism. With a substantial body of work, he is buried in La Joyau Cemetery near Fort-de-France.
Festive Atmosphere during the Martinique Carnival
The carnival is the Creole celebration not to be missed in Martinique. It takes place in February, and for several days, you can admire colorful parades while the spirit of joie de vivre spreads throughout the island. People enjoy songs and dance contests to the rhythm of music as pervasive as it is infectious (zouk, biguine, calypso).
Climate
The temperatures in the Caribbean are ideal year-round, with a stable average of around 27°C (81°F). The water temperature averages around 26°C (79°F).
This humid tropical climate can be divided into two seasons: the dry season, the most pleasant, from February to April, and the wet season from July to October. A period from August to October can also bring hurricanes, varying in intensity, making it important to stay well-informed about weather conditions.
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