The Martinique Promotion Agency announced in a statement that, as of July 30, Martinique has lifted all pandemic restrictions for international travelers.
As an overseas dependency of France, Martinique made the move after the French parliament declared an end to the Covid-19 public health emergency.
As a result, all international travellers now travelling to Martinique no longer need to fill out any forms or present vaccination certificates before arriving in the country, or present a health pass upon arrival. Travelers are also no longer required to provide an "no infection oath statement" and to undergo an antigen test or biological test upon arrival in the country.
Over the past few years, Martinique in the French Caribbean has become increasingly popular with tourists. The beautiful beaches, unique culture and quiet atmosphere make it a relaxing holiday destination, offering visitors something different from other famous islands like Jamaica or Barbados.
Martinique has been included in UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme, the second time it has been recognized by UNESCO after martinique's traditional yole sailboats were inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List in December 2020.
For those interested in planning a trip to Martinique, our guide below provides a reference for making the perfect holiday itinerary for your next trip.
Plan your trip
- Best time to visit: Martinique has a tropical climate, November to March is the dry season, and autumn and winter are the best experiences. Spring and summer enter the rainy season, and in the middle of summer, humidity can be significant. As a result, November and December are the peak periods for holiday travel and ideal weather for travelers.
- Language: French is the official language of Martinique, and you'll also find that a significant portion of the population also speaks the local Creole dialect. While some locals may speak English, it's wise to learn some French conversation phrases that will make your trip easier.
- Currency: The Euro is the standard currency for the entire island of Martinique.
- Getting Around: If you want to explore the whole island for a complete experience, you may want to consider renting a car or hiring a driver. Taxis are expensive, and there are no apps like Uber. Public transport is not widely known. For those who don't want to deal with the hassle of transportation, it will be more convenient to stay in Fort-de-France or Cap De Butter, and take a regular ferry that can take you around the island.
- Travel tip: Some of the best places to visit around Martinique are owned by locals and run by families, which means they may not necessarily have a card machine. Withdrawing a certain amount of cash will make your trip around the island easier and even crucial, especially if you plan to explore outside of a tourist hub like Fort-de-France. Before going to the hotel, withdraw some money at the ATM at the airport and the exchange rate may be a little better.
Things to do
Like most places in the Caribbean, Martinique offers a variety of beautiful beaches, great hiking and water activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, catamaran trips, and even dolphin watching. In addition to this, the island's unique culture offers a unique experience of how they have been influenced by various influences from Africa, France and South Asia.
On your first trip to Martinique...
Visit Diamond Rock and relax at the island's most popular beach, Le Diamant. It is also one of the best spots for surfing on the island.
Just a short drive from Diamond Rock is the Anse Cafard Slave Monument, which sits on a cliff overlooking the sea. The statues pay homage to African slaves who drowned in the nearby waters and are one of the most powerful experiences during your stay.
Learn about the island's rum history at the Clement Distillery, visit the winery's Botanical Gardens and Creole House, and end your tour with a rum tasting.
Spend the day exploring the capital, Fort-de-France, learning about the island's history, and strolling to the Spice Bazaar to taste local snacks.
There are also plenty of activities to try during your stay in Martinique, so you'll find more inspiration to plan your trip to the French West Indies.
What to eat and what to drink
Martinique has no shortage of restaurants that offer a unique dining experience for every traveller. Pointe Du Bout is one of the tourist hubs where many hotels are located, with a wide variety of cuisine and lounges to relax with many friends. Le Kano is just a short walk from the beach and offers a good atmosphere and cuisine for nearby visitors.
Creole cuisine is at the heart of Martinique cuisine, so you'll find many local restaurants serving traditional dishes and other Caribbean-inspired dishes made with a mixture of fresh spices growing on the island. There are also homemade creole sauces and curries that reflect South Asian influences.
Rhum agricole is martinique's go-to spirit, with a variety of rum-inspired cocktails to choose from. The national drink is called Ti' Punch and can be found at almost any restaurant on the island.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Martinique ranges from high-end hotels to family-run hotels to local Airbnbs. Pointe De Bout is the best option for travellers looking to get to the ferry with ease, and there are more English-speaking staff to help you with your trip around the island. Fort-de-France is located near the airport and offers some local rental services for tourists.
The best choices for a five-star resort are La Suite Villa in the private enclave of Trios-Îlets and the luxury private villas to choose from, as well as the Hotel Cap Est Lagoon Resort & Spa in Le Francois. It is important to remember that Martinique is not the destination of an all-encompassing large chain of resorts and with the exception of one of their Club Med locations, their accommodation can only offer a meal-inclusive package, so please plan according to the situation.
Get there
Norwegian has low-cost direct flights from New York and Baltimore to the French West Indies, American Airlines also offers affordable flights to the island, with connections in Miami or San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Air Canada offering flights from Toronto and Montreal. Travelers can also choose to fly to nearby Guadeloupe via JetBlue and then catch a ferry to Martinique, or connect via one of the smaller airlines such as Caribbean Airlines. There is only one airport on the island, Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF), located in Ramontain on the outskirts of Fort-de-France.
Culture and customs
Martinique is an overseas possession of France, so you'll see many cultural similarities with French cities when you travel. When entering the store, always remember to greet employees with eye contact and say "Bonjour".
The island has a limited level of English and it is respectful to try to speak at least French when eating and shopping at some of the local venues. Smaller places outside the city may not have English menus, so please have your translation app ready.
Tips for saving money
Carry small bills with you so you can easily shop at locations where you may not have a card machine in the area. U.S. dollars and Caribbean dollars are not accepted anywhere on the island, so remember to go to an ATM withdrawal before you leave the airport, and then head to the money exchange center to get a smaller bill.
Planning a trip to nearby islands like Dominica, Saint Lucia, and Guadeloupe might be worth it. Visitors to Martinique can take the Express Ferry, which offers one-way and round-trip trips at a cheaper price than flying through customs.