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See more pictures - Here
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Tour Operators
A handful of US wholesalers and UK and European tour operators offer Martinique in their programmes. On DefinitiveCaribbean we will be picking out the best of the travel organisers for you - operators that are Caribbean specialists and give the best levels of service, in all price ranges. They put the holidays together that may subsequently be sold to the public direct or via travel agents.
In the UK and Europe, all tour operators should be bonded for your financial protection. They sell flight inclusive holidays under licence from government bodies such as the Civil Aviation Authority (UK). Some travel agents also have the required bonding and licences to put together flight inclusive holidays, and there are a few Caribbean specialists among them.
Message to Tour Operators, Wholesalers and specialist travel agents:
We invite any travel organiser working as a Caribbean specialist with a programme to Martinique to contact us if we are not already in communication with you. Initially please email us for further details.
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Tourist Information
The main tourist office on the island is on the waterfront in Fort de France. Information offices can also be found in various town halls and at some hotel foyers. Opening hours are Mon-Fri 7.30am-12.30pm and 2.30pm-5.30pm, Sat 8am-12 midday. You will find the tourist offices at:
Fort de France, 76 rue Lazare Carnot, t 60 27 73, infos.cmt@martiniquetourism.com
Schoelcher, Immeuble Beaupre, Pointe de Jaham, t 61 61 77
Le Lamentin Airport, t 51 28 55
Outside Martinique, information can be obtained from:
Canada
1981 McGill College, Suite 490, Montreal, H3A 2W9, t 514 288 1904
France
2 rue des Moulins, 75001 Paris, t 44 77 86 00, preinadelaide@aol.com
USA
444 Madison Av, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10022, t 212 838 7800, t 1 800 391 4909, Martinique@nyo.com
In other countries, it may be possible to get some information through the Maison de France (the French national tourist office). |
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Weather
In Martinique the temperature varies by just a few degrees across the year, usually between 85 and 95° Fahrenheit from winter to summer. The island rarely gets too hot, except occasionally in summer, particularly if it is still for a few days when it can become humid. Generally though, there is a breeze to take the edge off the heat. The dry season usually lasts from January to May and this is generally the coolest and time of the year.
Martinique is in the hurricane belt and these massive storms do pass by from time to time in the late summer when the Atlantic Ocean, where they are generated, becomes warm enough. The most likely time for a hurricane to hit is in the middle of September. More likely to interrupt your holiday however, are the storms in the North Atlantic, from where a blanket of cloud will occasionally spin off a weather system and send cloud cover down to the Caribbean for a few days. |
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What to Pack
Consider taking the following when heading out to the Caribbean:
Sun protection including high factor sun cream, sunglasses, hat/cap and a lightweight shirt/blouse/t-shirt for the beach; suitable beach and walking shoes; mosquito repellent containing DEET suitable for use all day; cream for insect bites; beach mat/towel.
Lightweight cotton is generally the best clothing, casual for the daytime, though you may want something a little more elegant for the evenings. Note that most good restaurants and top hotels require men to wear long trousers and shirts with a collar in the evenings. Women may wish to pack a lightweight wrap or jacket during the winter months, as the evenings sometimes feel cool after the heat of the day.
Martinique is well stocked with everything you need in terms of batteries and spare bulbs etc. Bring an electrical adapter if needed. Any prescription medication that needs to be taken on a regular basis should be carried in your hand luggage, and should remain in its original packaging for clear identification by Customs should they need to check contents.
Don’t forget your passport, driving licence and insurance (medical and travel) documents.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Definitive Caribbean is very grateful for the photographic contributions we received for the Martinique Island Guide. Contributions came from the Martinique Promotion Bureau and Jean Marc Lecerf.
Picture Editors, Alexander Gray & Will Orr |
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