Martinique – Travel Guide / Trip Planner
In order to relax and enjoy yourself on vacation, it’s best to know the basics of the island country you’re visiting.
The people of Martinique speak French along with Creole Patois. While it’s good to know some basic French in order to read road signs and restaurant menus, you’ll find a number of storekeepers also speak English.
As a part of France, the island’s currency is the Euro.
For those planning to rent a car, please remember to drive on the right-hand side of the road in Martinique. Martinique also has a relatively cheap public transit system. Large buses run within the capital Fort-de-France, as well as to/from the airport. Mini-vans called TC (Taxis Collectifs) travel elsewhere on the island.
Please note that the islands’ electrical power system provides local residents with 220-240 volt AC with the France style “hermaphrodite” outlet/plug, so adapters and converters along with surge suppressors (to handle the occasional dirty power) are required by North Americans.
Martinique falls in the Eastern Time Zone, four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. Note that the island does not observe daylight saving time.
When is the best time to travel to Martinique?
In terms of the weather, the best time to vacation in Martinique may be between January and April as this is when there’s the lowest chance of rain and the daily average temperatures range comfortably from a low of 73˚ (23˚c) to a high of 84˚ (29˚c) degrees. While the temperature doesn’t vary too much, it’s more humid, with a higher chance of rain later in the year. The chance of a Tropical Storm or Hurricane hitting the island is possible anytime between June and November, with September being the riskiest. It is prudent to watch the weather conditions a week or two in advance of your travel plans to ensure it is safe to travel late in the year.
Back to our Martinique Vacations page
Back to our Exploring the Caribbean Islands page
Back to the Active Caribbean Travel Home page
