Practical Information for visiting Martinique

Martinique uses the euro and is part of the European Union, which makes it unusually straightforward for European visitors — the same currency, the same consumer protections, and no customs formalities from mainland France.

Cards and contactless are accepted essentially everywhere, including small shops and market stalls. Cash is useful for beach lolos, some rural bakeries and parking.

ATMs are widespread in towns and at the airport.

Prices include tax. Note that EU roaming does apply here since Martinique is an outermost region of the EU, so a European mobile plan works at domestic rates — unlike most of the Caribbean.

Tipping is not expected. Service is included by law, and rounding up for something particularly good is the most anyone does.

Coverage for mobile networks is comprehensive, with 4G across the island and 5G in the urban areas, from Orange Caraibe, SFR, Digicel and Free.

EU roaming applies, since Martinique is an outermost region of the European Union — a European SIM works at home-plan rates here, which is a considerable saving compared with the rest of the Caribbean and catches many travellers by surprise.

Signal is weaker in the northern rainforest valleys and on the Pelee trails.

Wi-Fi is standard and fast in hotels, gites and cafes, and fixed broadband is good.

Power is French standard, 230 volts with European sockets, and reliable outside storms.

Martinique is safe by both Caribbean and French standards, with low violent crime and good infrastructure. The risks are natural.

• Manchineel trees grow along beaches and every part of them is toxic — the sap blisters skin and sheltering under one in the rain is enough to cause burns. They are marked with a red band or a painted stripe. Do not touch, and do not eat the small green apples.
• 
  
• The Atlantic coast has strong currents and undertow, and drownings occur. Swim on the Caribbean side or at supervised beaches.
• 
  
• Mount Pelee is active and monitored; heed closures. Cloud on the summit trail reduces visibility fast.
• 
  
• Hurricanes from June to November.
• 
  
• Petty theft from hire cars at trailheads and beach car parks is the most common crime; leave nothing visible.
• 
  
• Fer-de-lance snakes are present and venomous. Stay on paths, wear boots in undergrowth.

Healthcare is French and very good. The university hospital in Fort-de-France is well equipped, and pharmacies are everywhere. EU and EEA visitors are covered by the European Health Insurance Card exactly as in mainland France, which makes this one of the easiest Caribbean islands to fall ill on. Others should carry insurance.

Vaccinations: routine cover. There is no malaria.

Dengue, chikungunya and Zika circulate with periodic outbreaks and the mosquito bites by day; use repellent.

Chlordecone: long-term pesticide contamination affects some soils and coastal waters. Fishing is banned in affected zones and produce is monitored, so buying from regular commercial sources is safe; do not gather shellfish yourself.

Sun is strong year round.

Tap water is safe and of French standard.

Snakebite from the fer-de-lance is rare but serious; antivenom is held at the hospital.

Always say bonjour. Entering a shop, a bakery, a waiting room or approaching anyone begins with a greeting, and skipping it is read as rude in a way visitors consistently underestimate. Bonjour before noon, bonsoir after.

Dress: Martiniquais dress neatly. Swimwear stays at the beach; cover up in towns, shops and restaurants. Topless sunbathing is accepted on some beaches and not others.

French law applies in full, including EU consumer and data rules, and on drugs, where penalties are serious.

Meal times are French: lunch around midday to two, dinner from about seven-thirty, and many restaurants close between.

Ti’ punch is mixed by the person drinking it, and offering to do it for a guest is not the custom — put the bottle, syrup and lime out and let them.

Photography: ask before photographing people, particularly at Carnival, where it is usually welcomed.

Emergency numbers: 112 works as the European emergency line, with 15 for medical, 17 for police and 18 for fire. Operators are French-speaking; English is not guaranteed.

Medical. The CHU de Martinique in Fort-de-France is the main hospital and is of French standard. Carry your EHIC if you have one, or insurance details. Pharmacies display a duty rota for out of hours.

Hurricane warnings come from Meteo France and are issued on a colour-coded alert scale that is taken seriously — red means stay indoors, and it is enforced. Follow the alert level rather than your own judgement.

Mount Pelee is monitored by the volcanological observatory, which publishes an alert level; closures of the summit trail follow it.

At sea, the regional rescue centre coordinates on VHF channel 16.

Consular matters go through the French authorities; there are few foreign consulates.