What to Do in Martinique: A Guide to the French Caribbean Island
The perfect marriage between France and the Caribbean
So you’re a fan of beaches, hikes, history, and amazing food? Well, we’ve got the perfect place for you: Martinique. This is one destination you have to get to while it’s still off-the-beaten-path.
But before you just jet off to the French Caribbean Island, you might want to brush up on your knowledge of the place — what exactly is there to do in this tiny slice of paradise?
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Why Plan Your Trip to Martinique
Martinique or Lamatinik is a French region overseas, just like Guadeloupe, that was discovered by Columbus in 1502. Located in the Lesser Antilles, this island is a top destination for Frenchies looking for a break from the mainland. To make things simple, the island is split in two. The north is known for its mountains and lush jungles, while the south is for gorgeous beaches and fancy hotels.
The region has been through a lot over the years: colonial times, slavery, volcanic eruptions and plenty more. Now, it’s entered a new age of tourism where you can learn about it’s turbulent past, and appreciate its present to the fullest. And why not do so up in the mountains, in the jungle, or, at the beach!
What to Do in Martinique
For the Culturist:
Visit Fort-de-France
Martinique’s capital, Fort-de-France is often home-base for travelers exploring the island. It’s a lively city with plenty to do. To get a better understanding of the island, museums are a great place to start. The Musée Départemental d’Archéologie et de Préhistoire is packed full with pre-Columbian history whilst the Musée d’Histoire et d’Ethnographie focuses on the local culture. The Schoelcher library is a remarkable feat of architecture. You’ll notice plenty of streets, plazas and monuments with the name Victor Schoelcher — his involvement in abolishing slavery in the French colonies deserves all the attention. The Grand Marché is the perfect market for a good shop — it’s covered, so do consider ducking for cover in there if you ever get caught in some rain. La Savane is to Martinique what Central Park is to New York — with an added bonus of palm trees. Head to the marché and then plop down by the tall trees for a healthy dose of sun and people watching.
Visit Sainte-Anne
Sainte-Anne is a city often used as a starting point for greater adventures, but it deserves more credit as a destination in and of itself. The village is charming and it boasts a gorgeous church, Notre-Dame, and an artisan market. After you’ve soaked in the city, now you can go on to enjoy one of the many hikes that begins nearby or head to the Les Salines beach, one of the prettiest in Martinique.
Gaze at Mountains from Saint-Pierre
Saint-Pierre has the most amazing view of the Montagne Pelée, but that view didn’t come cheap. The mountain is no mere pile of dirt, it’s a volcano. Today, Pelée is dormant, but that wasn’t always the case. In 1902, an eruption decimated the entirety of Saint-Pierre. What was once a commercial hub became ash and rubble. A new Saint-Pierre was built on top of the ruins and is now visited by plenty of tourists who take both in the old and the new. The ruins of the prison, the theater and old villages are must-sees. While the city brings history buffs in waves, it also brings its fair share of divers — the volcanic eruption sank many ships which nowadays can be explored in the depths.
For the Nature Lover:
Hike the Montagne Pelée
As the volcano is currently dormant, now is the time to explore its ridges. You can hike all the way to the top of Montagne Pelée and be rewarded with the best view of Martinique. The volcano is the highest point on the island at 1395 meters. Dry season, from December to March ,is the best time to climb up as the paths are pretty steep and twisted ankles are not a recommended souvenir. There are a couple of hikes you can choose from — the sentier de l’Aileron is arguably the easiest option and starts in Morne-Rouge. And if you just can’t get enough, you can even sleep on the mountain at Auberge de la Montagne Pelée.
Carefully Hike the Gorges de la Falaise
Right below the Pelée volcano is the town of Ajoupa-Bouillon, from there, you can hike the Gorges de la Falaise. Gorges mean canyons and Falaise means cliff — you get the picture. As the hike includes some tricky paths, the trek can only be done with a guide. If you’re feeling a bit less adventurous, les Ombrages is also in Ajoupa-Bouillon. The second option is a botanical path, what it may lack in daredevil-ness, it makes up in beauty.
Hike Grand’Rivière to l’Anse Couleuvre
From the village of Grand’Rivière you can begin one of the nicest hikes on the island. You’ll go from untouched jungle views to gazing at the blue waters of the Caribbean on this 6-hour trek. Do make sure to book your boat trip back with the tourism office in the village though if you want to avoid turning an 18km day into a 36km one.
Head to the Gardens
L’Île aux fleurs — it’s another nickname of Martinique’s — it translates to the island of flowers, with good reason. About 10-minutes from Fort-de-France, you’ll find the Jardin de Balata where roughly 3,000 species of tropical plants flourish. A walk through the gardens will take you a little more than an hour — if you don’t stop in awe too often. The Jardin opens at 9am, and you’ll want to be there early to catch sight of beautiful hummingbirds.
Embark on la Route de la Trace
La Route de la Trace is a road that goes from Fort-de-France all the way to Morne-Rouge, passing by many other cities. The RN 3, the actual name of the road, is a 29km stretch taking you to the start of many hiking trails. The Domaine d’Emeraude is a tropical forest park with three trails just begging to be explored. The Trace des Jésuites à Fonds-Saint-Denis is a great 3-hour hike through the jungle. Although some say not to chase waterfalls — the Cascade du saut de Gendarme and the thermal station of Absalon are sure worth the chase.
Visit an Almost Island
La presqu’île de la Caravelle — which translates to almost island of Caravelle — offers up treks through mangroves, small fishing villages and rocky scenery. Hikes go anywhere from an hour to half a day. After all that hiking, head on to the village of Tartane for a quick dip in the ocean.
For the Oceanist:
La Plage des Salines
Right by the village of Sainte-Anne, the Plage des Salines is arguably the most popular of all the beaches on the island. Saline roughly translates to salt-based, and you’ll find plenty of salty ponds nearby. This beach is the Caribbean at it’s finest: calm turquoise water and white sand. If at all possible, avoid the weekends, as the beach becomes packed with locals and tourists alike, a tranquil weekday is a far better way to enjoy les Salines.
La Pointe du Bout
This is the poshest area of Martinique. Situated in the Trois-Îlets commune, this is where you’ll find all the big hotels with top amenities. The marina is a great spot to hang out and the beach of Anse Mitan is one of the most visited of the island. La Pointe du Bout can be reached by boat from the capital.
The Diamond Rock
Le Rocher du Diamant, named for its diamond shape, is a tiny uninhabited island off the coast of Martinique. Made of volcanic rock, this is a prime diving spot for the well initiated. The waters aren’t the smoothest, so don’t pick this one if you’ve never dived before, but if you have, do head on over to catch sight of the coral reefs and the volcanic rocks mingling underwater. La Plage du Diamant, the beach, is also a great spot for bodyboarders as the waves are out of this world.
The Black Sand of Grand’Rivière
Grand’Rivière is a tiny fishing village in the north of the Island. It boasts black sand beaches, amazing views of nearby islands and delectable créoles seafood dishes served by lively locals.
A Few Bays or Anses
Anse translates to bay or cove, and there are quite a few of those in Martinique — and not all of them are featured in guidebooks. If you’re looking to see some sea turtles, head to Anse Noire or, Anse d’Arlets or Anse Dufour. To catch some waves and check surfing in Martinique off your bucket list, Anse Bonneville is the place to be. For a wild and isolated black-sand beach, head to Anse Céron. Anse Couleuvre is perfect for snorkeling — you’ll have to hike through the tropical forest to get there though, so pack some running shoes along with your scuba gear.
For the Foodie:
Drink and Be Merry
If there’s one thing Martinique has got covered, it’s rum. Go visit a distillery, or a rhumeries, to taste one or two, or ten, different variations of the liquor. Tasting in the boutiques is usually free, but visiting the facilities usually isn’t. Here are a few rhumeries to check out: La Favorite in Fort-de-France, Depaz in Saint-Pierre, Neisson in Le Cabret, Trois-Rivières in Sainte-Luce and Saint-James in Sainte-Marie (where there’s also a rum museum). This is one island where you won’t go thirsty!
Island Eats
The national dish of Martinique is Colombo. You get a protein, veal, pork, beef or chicken, and then vegetables, coconut milk and plenty of spices. It has quite a kick, so consider yourself warned!
As with any island, seafood is king here. There’s too many different types of fish to count, crayfish, and lambis, a type of seashell which is a lot more delicious than it sounds.
On the sweet-tooth side, a pomme-cannelle is mandatory. Akin to a cinnamon roll, but tressed instead of rolled, and with apples added in there, just because. You can get your fix anywhere on the island. Different types of flan, including blanc-manger, are also within reach at all times — in case of sugar craving emergencies.
Where to Stay in Martinique
The island is small, we’re talking 70km long and 30km wide, which means you can decide to base yourself in one spot or move around a little.
Fort-de-France is a popular choice when picking where to stay. For a modern and sophisticated option right in the city center, opt for the Simon Hotel. If you’re looking for something new, a short 30 minutes from Fort-de-France, Domaine des Bulles will blow your mind. Ever fancied staying in your very own bubble in a tropical jungle? Paddling away on a transparent kayak? This is your chance — don’t miss it.
Surprisingly enough, there’s only one all-inclusive option in Martinique which is the Club Med Les Boucaniers. Located in Sainte-Anne, this is the perfect spot to be doted on. Also in Sainte-Anne, but at a much lower price: camping! The municipal camping of the town is right on the southern tip of the island. Camping sauvage which means pitching your tent anywhere you want, like on the beach, isn’t exactly legal, but is usually accepted — at your own risks and perils. Want to marry a bit of wilderness and luxury? French Coco in the national park of the Caravelle is the place to go.
How to Get Around in Martinique
On land, most people will go ahead and rent a car in Martinique. Keep in mind, people drive on the right hand side over here. Prices aren’t too bad, and it’s the perfect occasion to take on La Route de la Trace and just wander around the island. Like any place, taxis are available on the island from the main cities. For a cheaper alternative, opt for a taxi-co. They are shared taxis where passengers split the bill. Of course, bikes and your own two feet are a perfectly suitable option as well, when the distance is manageable.
If you fancy yourself a sailor, you can rent a boat with sails or a motor, whatever floats… your boat. The rental can be done with, or without a captain. It’s a perfect way to reach the islands right off the coast and get prime views of gorgeous beaches. For those looking to avoid seasickness, renting a kayak for a fun afternoon is more than acceptable.
When to Visit Martinique
In order to steer clear of rain and hurricanes, you might want to visit during the dry season. December to May boasts blue skies all around. It’s also the busiest time of the year tourism-wise. For divers, October to May is prime time.
For a good dose of culture, come to Martinique during the Carnaval de Fort-de-France. Usually in February or March, the event takes place from Fat Sunday to Ash Wednesday. It’s a celebration of life, joy and more importantly, freedom — which they achieved when slavery was abolished on the island. There are orchestras, costumes, plenty of food, a king and queen are elected, and plenty other shenanigans take place. Getting to witness the Carnaval is an experience like none other.
Sure, an island vacation can seem cliché, but sometimes it’s exactly what you need. No matter what, there’s something for you in Martinique, whatever your travel style may be. It’s time for more people to visit this amazing island, we can’t leave all the fun to the French now can we?
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