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Martinique
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MARTINIQUE
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| Area: 1100 sq km (424.7 sq miles). Population: 400,000 Population Density: 346.8 per sq km. Capital: Fort-de-France. Population: 93,000 (UN estimate 2001). Government: Martinique is an Overseas Department of France and as such is an integral part of the French Republic. Head of State: President Jacques Chirac since 1995, represented locally by Prefect Michel Cadot since 2000. Head of Government: Claude Lise, President of the General Council since 1992. |
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Language:
The official language is French; a Creole patois is widely used.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
GEOGRAPHY:
The French Overseas Department of Martinique, a volcanic and picturesque
island, is the northernmost of the Windward Caribbean group. The island
is noticeably more rocky than those of the Leeward group, with beaches
(of fine black or white or peppered sand) surrounded by sugar, palm, banana
and pineapple plantations. Christopher Columbus called it ‘the most
beautiful country in the world’ and before he named it in honour
of St Martin, it was called Madinina (‘island of flowers’)
by the native population.
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MARTINIQUE ENTRY & CUSTOMS
In addition to local entry requirements, your air or sea carrier may request
additional documentation for passengers. Please check with your carrier
in advance of travel.
Valid passports are recommended for all US, Canadian and European Union citizens traveling as tourists to Martinique.
For citizens of other countries, a visa may be required in addition to a passport.
A return or ongoing ticket is required of all visitors.
No vaccination papers are required unless arriving from an endemic area.
Items for personal use (e.g. tobacco, cameras and film) are admitted without formalities or tax if not in excessive quantity. For other items, French regulations apply. Rien à déclarer marks the entry point for travelers with nothing to declare.
PLEASE
NOTE: Entry and customs regulations are subject to change. For updates
and additional information, please French Government Tourist Offices for
updates and additional information.
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GETTING AROUND MARTINIQUE
The best transportation option on Martinique is to rent a car.
There are numerous car rental agencies at the airport that can set you
up. Be aware that many companies offer a rate that adds on an extra charge
for every kilometre you drive. Your home driver's license is valid - as
is driving on the right. Motorcycles can also be rented.
Public transportation, the cheapest transport option, consists of buses known as taxi collectifs. One of the most useful routes runs between Fort-de-France and Saint-Pierre. It runs frequently on weekdays, less frequently on Sunday, and takes about 45 minutes. Taxis are more convenient but considerably more expensive.
There are a couple of regular ferries (vedettes) running between the main resort area of Pointe du Bout and Fort-de-France, providing a good alternative to heavy bus and car traffic and city parking hassles - and they're quicker to boot.
Martinique's
only commercial airport is in Lamentin, 9km (6mi) east of Fort-de-France.
The airport is just a 10-minute ride from the capital and about 20 minutes
from the Pointe du Bout resort area. Taxis are readily available at the
airport but are expensive, so if you plan to rent a car during your stay
consider picking it up at the airport. Because of the taxi union, there's
no direct bus service from the airport.
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To phone from Martinique, a Télécarte (phone card) makes local and international calls easier and less expensive. Télécartes are sold at Post Offices and other outlets marked Télécarte en Vente Ici. They are used in special booths marked Télécom found all over. There are no coin phones. Many phones will now accept VISA, MasterCard or other credit cards for long distance calls. Operator-assisted calls are higher in cost.
Postage stamps can be purchased at post offices (hours are irregular and lines can be long and slow), cafés-tabacs (tobacco stores) and at hotel newsstands or souvenir shops.
Instant
internet connection is not yet widely available in Martinique. Some hotels
will allow guests to check their e-mail from a central hotel computer,
usually located near the reception desk. There are a growing number of
businesses that plan to provide internet access on a fee per minute basis.
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MARTINIQUE
BUSINESS PROFILE
Economy: In the agricultural sector, sugar cane and bananas are
the main cash crops; a range of fruit is also grown for domestic consumption
and export. Cut flowers have also become an important export earner. The
processing of agricultural goods and refining of imported oil (which is
also the main source of energy) are the island’s main industries.
The most important part of the economy is tourism, both as a major employer
and a vital source of foreign exchange – worth some US$400 million
a year to the economy. Martinique also enjoys substantial material benefits
from being an integral part of the French nation, receiving financial
support both from Paris and the EU. France accounts for more than 75 per
cent of Martinique’s foreign trade, with the remainder of the import
market captured by the major EU economies and the USA.
Business: Lightweight suits and safari suits are recommended. The best time to visit is January to March and June to September. A command of French is essential, as most of the island’s business is connected with France. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1800.
Commercial
Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre
de Commerce et d’Industrie de la Martinique, BP 478, 50 rue Ernest
Deproge, 97241 Fort-de-France Cédex (tel: 552 800; fax: 606 668;
e-mail: info@martinique.cci.fr; website: www.martinique.cci.fr).
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MARTINIQUE SOCIAL PROFILE
Food & Drink: The island’s cuisine is characterised
by French and Caribbean influences and often features seafood, including
lobster, red snapper, conch and sea urchin. Island specialities include
stuffed crab, stewed conch, roast wild goat, jugged rabbit and broiled
local dove. Colombo is a dish of goat, chicken, pork or lamb in a thick
curry sauce. Creole cuisine is also widely available and is an original
combination of French, Indian and African traditions seasoned with exotic
spices. Meals are ended with tropical fruit. There is a great supply of
French wines, champagne, liqueurs and local rum. Local specialities are
’ti punch, a brew of rum, lime juice, bitters and syrup; shrub,
a Christmas liqueur consisting of rum and orange peel; and planteur, made
from rum and fruit juice. Guava, soursop, passionfruit, mandarin and sugar-cane
juice are all common. There are no licensing restrictions.
Nightlife: There are plenty of restaurants, bars and discos, a few casinos, and some displays of local dancing and music. The Ballet Martiniquais is one of the world’s most prestigious traditional ballet companies. Limbo dancers and steel bands often perform at hotels in the evenings. The local music, zouk, lively, two-beat music similar to merengue but unique to the French West Indies, can be heard everywhere. Martinicans are very proud of it. The local guide, Choubouloute, contains information on local entertainment and is sold at newsagents.
Special
Events: Every village celebrates its Saint’s Days - there
is generally one a month throughout Martinique. For a complete list and
location details, contact the Martinique Tourist Office or Promotion Bureau
(see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special
events occurring in Martinique in 2005:
Feb 5-9 Carnival. Mar 12-13 The 'Rivière-Pilote' Agricultural Trade-Fair.
Jul 31-Aug 8 21st Tour of Martinique in Skiffs.
Social
Conventions: The atmosphere is generally relaxed and informal.
Casual dress is acceptable everywhere, but formal attire is needed for
dining out and nightclubs.
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Health
services and medical facilities on Martinique are both modern and comprehensive.
There are 20 hospitals and clinics with specialists in most branches of
medicine. The Tourist Office or hotels can assist travelers in locating
English-speaking doctors. The physician-patient ratio is excellent with
one doctor for every 637 inhabitants.
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MARTINIQUE HEALTH & SAFETY
Probably the greatest danger to travelers in the tropics is overexposure
to the sun. Remember to work on your tan gradually and use plenty of sunscreen.
Of course, it's also a good idea to take along some mosquito repellent.
In shallow water, watch out for sea urchins, sharp coral and jellyfish.
Always wear fins (palmes) when snorkeling and ask the locals about swimming
and diving conditions before you go in the water.
Other
than the rarely seen fer-de-lance, a poisonous snake in Martinique, there
is not much in the way of really dangerous land critters in the French
islands. However, the Manchineel tree (le Manceniller) puts out a highly
toxic sap. You should never stand under one in the rain or taste its little
green berries. These trees are usually marked with red paint by the locals.
The Martinique tap water is drinkable in most places and excellent local
bottled water is available in stores and restaurants.
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MARTINIQUE CURRENCY/MONEY
Currency: Since January 2002 the Euro has been the official
currency for the French Overseas Departments (Départements d’outre-mer),
French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. For further
details, exchange rates and currency restrictions, see France section.
US Dollars are also accepted in some places.
Banking: Banks are open from 7:30 in the morning until
noon and open again at 2:30 pm and close again at 4:40 Monday through
Friday. There are no weekend hours.
Money
Exchange: Best done at banks. US$ are not as easily accepted
here as on other Caribbean islands. Credit cards are best to use or exchange
some currency for small items.
Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club and Visa
are accepted. MasterCard has limited acceptance. Cards can also be used
in cash dispensers. Check with your credit or debit card company for details
of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
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MARTINIQUE
SHOPPING
French imports are worthwhile purchases, especially wines, liqueurs and
Lalique crystal. Local items include rum, straw goods, bamboo hats, voodoo
dolls, baskets and objects of aromatic vetiver roots. A discount of 20
per cent is given if payment is made by travellers cheques in some tourist
shops. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1500-1800, Sat 0900-1300.
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MARTINIQUE BEACHES
The incredible beaches of Martinique come in many different varieties.
On the west coast, there are numerous white sand beaches south of Fort-de-France,
while the northern beaches (such as those at Carbet and St. Pierre) are
darker due to their volcanic origins. On the eastern / Atlantic coast,
the coastline tends to be more rugged except on the Caravelle Peninsula,
at Anse Azérot and at Grande Anse Macabou where the waters are
usually calm and inviting.
The famous Plage des Salines is in the south, a short drive from Ste. Anne, with tall coconut palms and a mile of white sands. During the summer holidays and weekends, it is often busy with families and children; during the week, it is usually quiet and less crowded. Other lovely beaches in the south include those at Ste. Anne, Ste. Luce, Cap Chevalier, Le Diamant (with the famous Diamond Rock offshore) and Anses d'Arlets.
There
are no designated clothing-optional beaches on Martinique, although topless
sunning and swimming is common at hotel pools and beaches near hotels.
Public beaches do not as a rule have changing cabins or showers. Some
hotels charge non-guests for the use of lockers and changing cabanas.
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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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MARTINIQUE PHOTOGRAPY
To protect against damage to high-speed film from airport x-ray machines,
we recommend transporting your film in lead-protected bags. Film can be
very expensive in the tropics. Don't forget to take extra batteries and,
if you the use a digital camera, the required storage media.
You
will get your best outdoor shots by shooting in the early morning or late
afternoon. Of course, if your camera accepts filters, a polarizer will
help you capture those postcard blue skies. If you want to shoot pictures
of the local people, please remember to ask their permission first.
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MARTINIQUE PEOPLE & LAND
Of volcanic origin, the island is rugged and mountainous and
reaches its greatest height in Mt. Pelée. The mainly Roman Catholic
population is largely of African descent; minorities include those of
European, Asian Indian, Lebanese, and Chinese origin. French and a creole
patois are spoken.
Most agriculture
exists in the hot valleys and along the coastal strips; a large part of
this area is devoted to sugarcane, which was introduced from Brazil in
1654 and which provides one of Martinique's chief exports, rum. Bananas
and pineapples are also important agricultural products. The island's
industries consist mainly of petroleum refining, sugar and rum production,
and pineapple canning. Tourism, which has eclipsed agriculture as a source
of foreign exchange, constitutes a major sector of the economy, and the
majority of the people work in the service sector or administration.
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MARTINIQUE CLIMATE & CLOTHING
Climate: The most common misconception about the West
Indies is that it must be much hotter in summer than it is during the
rest of the year. In fact, the average monthly temperatures remain remarkably
stable, varying by only about 5º Fahrenheit year-round. This stability
can be attributed to the tradewinds (Les Alizés) which bring refreshing
breezes from the northeast throughout the year. Summer is actually a great
time to visit the islands because lodging rates are much lower and the
beaches, roads and restaurants are not crowded. Of course, winter and
the Christmas/New Year holidays are traditionally the most popular time
to go. Most holiday reservations are made months in advance.
December
through May is considered the dry season, while June through November
is considered the more humid season. However, in our experience, rain
showers or clear skies can occur at any time during the year. In general,
rainstorms pass quickly and the sun shines on most days. Average air temperatures
in coastal areas range from 22º to 30º C (72º to 86º
F) and in inland areas, from 19º to 27º C (66º to 81º
F). Naturally, travelers will find more rain and cooler temperatures in
the rain forests and higher elevations. The warm coastal water temperatures
stay between 20º and 23º C (68º and 74º F).
Clothing: Dress for the tropics in lightweight, breathable
fabrics. Unlike some islands, Martinique is a place with a culture and
economy that is not solely dependent on tourism. In town, relaxed, informal
resort wear is acceptable, but scanty beach attire and short-shorts are
considered as improper in urban areas as they would be “back home.”
Jackets and ties are rarely required for men, even at dinner. Women tend
to dress up a bit more in the evening, with short or long (but still casual)
dresses common. Don't forget a hat and sunglasses for solar protection
and a jacket or light sweater for higher elevations.
At
hotel pools and at beaches near hotels, topless swimming and sunning is
common. At all other beaches, it's a good idea to see what the locals
are wearing (or not wearing). The only officially designated clothing-optional
beaches in the French islands are in Guadeloupe and St. Martin.
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MARTINIQUE SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
Swimming, water-skiing, small-boat sailing, snorkelling and spearfishing
are available at many coastal resorts. There are tennis courts at many
large hotels, and around 40 tennis clubs in Martinique. Visitors can obtain
temporary membership and play at night as well as during the day. For
further information, contact La Ligue Régionale de Tennis de la
Martinique, Petit Manoir, 97232 Lamentin (tel: 510 800; fax: 516 560;
e-mail: ligue.martinique@fft.fr; website: www.ligue.fft.fr). There is
an 18-hole golf course at Trois-Ilets. Horse riding is a very enjoyable
way to see Martinique’s lovely countryside. There is also horseracing
at the Carère track at Lamentin. Hiking and mountain climbing are
also catered for.
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MARTINIQUE TIME ZONE
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. Time is indicated in the 24 hour format (in
other words, 1:15 p.m. is 13:15 or 13h15).
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