VISA AND PROCEDURES
If you have Portuguese citizenship, you only need a valid Citizen Card to enter Martinique. Brazilian and CPLP citizens need to apply for a visa. Schengen visas are not valid, holders must apply for a specific visa. More information at Martinique Visa
HEALTH CARE
French authorities do not require any particular vaccinations to allow visitors to enter Martinique. There is no risk of malaria on the island, nor other health risks worthy of note. More information at FitForTravel
JOURNEY TO MARTINIQUE
At the time of creation of this text, the Air France tel.: 707202800, flies from Lisbon to Fort-de-France nine times a week via Paris, some days with a stopover at Orly airport, others at Charles de Gaulle airport. The flight costs around 1100€, in economy, around 1800€ in Premium class.
CAR RENTAL
The ideal is to rent a vehicle, 4WD if you want to explore the more alternative stretches of Martinique. The island's asphalted road network is good and very comprehensive. Rental vehicle prices start at around €30 per day for rentals of some duration, eg a week.
BUSES
Although there are larger public buses, most of the transports you will come across are taxis. collectivs which, in addition to being identified with CT, have mentioned the destinations on the windshield. They stop at marked stops. Collectifs taxis charge significantly less, less than €4 for a 45-minute journey.
TAXIS
Only use taxis if you are prepared for prices francophones (read high), paid in euros.
This island of the Antilles has a tropical climate throughout the year. The most pleasant time to visit (but also the most touristic) is the dry season, from December to May, when it rains less and average maximum temperatures are around 26º. The rainy season starts in June and lasts until the end of November with almost daily heavy showers and a much more humid air. August and September are the wettest and rainiest months and also suitable for visiting cyclones.
The currency used in the French Antilles (Martinique and Guadeloupe) is the Euro. Most establishments, even many of the less sophisticated ones, allow payments with credit and debit cards. ATMs are abundant in the main towns. Like most of the French overseas territories, Martinique quickly proves to be an expensive destination.
ACCOMMODATION
Rates start at around €85 per double room in the most humble hotels. You're going to have a hard time finding something cheaper than this.
FOOD
The population of Martinique is the first to complain about the excessively high prices of food on their island, even if purchases are made in supermarkets. If you think that restaurants add inflated value to what they buy there, dishes between €13 and €15 and the cost of meals in normal restaurants, between €30 and €50, to start with are justified.
INTERNET
It is found more frequently, offered by hotels, bars and restaurants. Otherwise, it costs around €5 an hour in internet cafes.