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Banks
Banks are open for exchange Mon-Fri, 7.30am-12 midday and 2.30pm-4pm. They are closed on public holidays and weekends. Banks generally require customers to show their passport and air ticket when converting foreign dollars, particularly when converting Euros back to your home currency.
Banks in Martinique include Banque des Antilles Françaises, Banque Nationale de Paris, Banque Populaire and Credit Agricole. ATMs are available at most bank branches and at the airport. They work on the chip and pin system so cards issued in the US may not work. |
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Beaches
Martinique has a variety of beaches, from dazzling white strands to rich charcoal-coloured beaches lined by flourishing tropical vegetation. Martinique's beaches can be distinguished by their different locations. Those on the Atlantic side of the island tend to feature picturesque scenery, including towering rock cliffs and rolling green hills. Most of the white-sand beaches are located on in the south of the island where the shallow sea stretches across to St Lucia. To the north the beaches have darker volcanic sand. Below is a selection of the best beaches on Martinique.
Plage des Salines, southern tip
Many locals regard this beach, a stunning curve of white sand backed with palms, as Martinique's finest. It can get busy at weekends but it is generally pretty quiet in the week. No bathroom or shower facilities are available but there is a restaurant.
Cap Chevalier, south-eastern tip
This beach at the southeastern tip of the island is popular for windsurfers due to the strong winds. There are offshore reefs to explore and several beach bars and snack stalls. Busy at weekends.
Pointe de Marin, west coast near the southern tip
Protected by the southern tip of the island, Pointe de Marin is one of Martinique's most popular beaches. It faces west, so the sun hits it longer than it does on the east coast beaches. Several small cafés and eateries overlook the beach and bathroom and shower facilities are nearby.
Diamant Plage, southern side
One of the island's larger beaches on Martinique's southwest corner. A favourite with sunbathers. The beach doesn’t get too busy, thanks in part to the rough water.
Les Anses d’Arlet, south of Fort de France
A sting of dark sand coves along the southwestern shore of Martinique. Developed with small fishing villages and a few beach bars but a lovely remote and local feel.
Pointe du Bout, Les Trois-Ilets
A small peninsula just across the bay from Fort-de-France, with several small and man-made beaches. Some of Martinique's largest resort hotels are located here.
Anse Céron, north of Le Prêcheur in the north-west
Pristine black sand beach, with the startling blue of the sea to the west and unspoiled forests inland. Some snorkelling offshore. Bathroom and shower facilities available. |
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Casinos
Gambling is fairly popular on Martinique. You must be 18 to enter any of the island's gambling facilities and be appropriately dressed.
La Batelière Plaza Casino, Schoelcher, Martinique, t 61 73 23
Classy casino on the northern outskirts of Fort-de-France, built in a striking nouveau-plantation house style. It has both slot machines and table games, open seven days a week 9am-3am.
Kalenda Resort, Pointe du Bout, 97229 Les Trois Îlets, t 66 00 00
Small casino attatched to the resort. Fruit machines, black jack and roulette on offer, open seven days a week 9am-3am. |
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Check In/Check Out
As a general rule check-out times are at around 12 noon and check-in is some time after 2pm. This may not be inconvenient because the majority of international arrivals into Martinique touch down in the early or mid afternoon. Some properties may be flexible on check-in or check-out times by prior arrangement. If you are arriving on-island earlier in the day let them know and they may be happy to provide a day room/shower facilities subject to availability |
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Cruises
The passenger terminal in Fort de France, only a few minutes from the heart of the city, is the main port of call. Recently, the port has added the Pointe Simon Cruise Dock, which can hold two large cruise ships at a time and enables thousands of tourists to pour onto the shores. Custom officers at the port usually give cruise ship passengers clearance to the island within a half hour as there are no formalities to go through or taxes to pay when going ashore.
A number of smaller and more stylish cruise ships call into the island which include Seabourne Cruise Line, Sea Cloud Cruises and Star Clippers. |
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