Practical information

No vaccination is required to enter Martinique. However, some are recommended if you live 
in a country at risk (hepatitis and yellow fever).

Health restrictions linked to COVID 19 have no longer applied since August 2022. 
Therefore, no tests or vaccines are required to enter the territory.

Martinique is a French department. The Vitale card works, your mutual insurance companies usually 
work on the island even if reimbursements and prices depend, as in mainland France, 
on the status of the doctor (contracted sector 1, 2 or 3).

The risks of theft or assault are very low in Martinique. Despite everything, it is good to keep in mind certain 
common sense rules to avoid unpleasant surprises:

Do not leave any visible objects in the cars,
Avoid withdrawing large sums of money from ATMs,
On the beaches, thefts are extremely rare, you can leave your belongings on the sand with valuables neatly 
stored without fear, always keeping an eye out.The main risks are linked to heat and sun, mosquito bites, 
toxic plants and unsupervised swimming in the sea.


Some useful tips to make the most of your stay:

Protect yourself from heat and sun:
Hydrate yourself during the day (at least 2 liters),
Wear a hat and sunglasses,
Apply sunscreen regularly,
Do not lie directly on the hot sand, use your towel or sarong,
If you also use mosquito repellent, wait at least 45 minutes between 
applying the sunscreen and the repellent.

How to react to mosquitoes?

Avoid walking without protection after dark (when mosquitoes are most active),
Sleep under a mosquito net,
Use repellent products (ask for advice in pharmacies, especially for children),
Wear long clothes,
Don't skimp on insecticide and insect repellent (bombs, mosquito coils, etc.).
In summary, remember to cover your head well and always take water and sunscreen with you. 
Always carry a mosquito repellent with you to avoid unpleasant bites... 
By following all these instructions, you will limit the little hassles.

Traveling to Martinique with children is relatively easy. Most accommodation is suitable and 
restaurants often offer a children's menu. Remember to protect your little 
ones against mosquitoes and sunstroke.

Martinique has all means of communication: wifi, telephone, fax, access to the international network, mobiles, etc.

The Internet network is efficient and most hotels and restaurants offer WiFi access, also available at the airport.

Telephone numbers in Martinique all have 6 digits and start with +596 596 for landlines or +596 696 for mobiles.

It is very easy to travel with your dog or cat to Martinique.

For this, you need:

Your animal's passport: it will be provided to you by a veterinarian authorized to issue authorization for the country of origin,
Your pet's electronic chip used for identification. The microchip number must also be on your pet's passport.
On the health side, the first obligation is the rabies vaccine. Once vaccinated, your pet will be able to board the plane.
Your animal's health certificate which certifies that your animal is fit to travel.

In Martinique, the currency is the same as in mainland France: the Euro.
US dollars are accepted in some establishments as well as traveler's checks and credit cards. 
Off-site checks may sometimes be bounced.

In Martinique, the cost of living is higher than in mainland France, so plan a budget accordingly. 
In low season, at the time of wintering, the price of accommodation decreases by 20 to 30%. 
They reach their peak during the end-of-year celebrations and carnival.

Martinique benefits from a tropical climate. The temperature varies relatively little 
throughout the year and is around 28°. The temperature between day and night changes little 
and night falls quickly and early (even in June, the sun sets around 6:30 p.m.).

Between June and November, the climate is hot and humid with heavy rainfall at the end of the day. 
It’s the wet season, or wintering.From December to May, it is the dry season, or Lent. 
The climate becomes drier with slightly warmer temperatures.
Martinique can therefore be visited in all seasons but prefer the months of December to May, 
a time of year when the temperatures are particularly pleasant.

There is a 5 hour time difference between France and Martinique in winter and 
6 hours in summer. When it is noon in Paris, it is 6 a.m. in Fort de France.

In Martinique, French is the usual language and Creole the regional language.