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Caribbean

Martinique

A French island in the Caribbean where you swim off southern beaches, tour rum distilleries, and drive north to the volcano at Mount Pelée.

Start with the essentialsWhere to stayPlan a trip to Martinique

Martinique is a French overseas region in the eastern Caribbean, part of the Lesser Antilles. Its capital, Fort-de-France, sits on the west coast. The island is small enough to drive across in a day, yet the scenery changes quickly: beaches and resorts in the south, rainforest and rum estates in the interior, and volcanic hills and coves in the north. French is the official language and the currency is the euro.

Travelers come for the beaches, the rum distilleries and the north coast. Mount Pelée rises above Saint-Pierre, a town largely destroyed by an eruption in 1902, and its ruins are a main reason many visitors drive up the coast. The island suits couples, families who rent a car, and anyone who wants French bakeries and restaurants beside a Caribbean beach. The dry season, roughly December to May, is the most comfortable time to visit. Hurricane season runs from June to November. Allow about a week to see both coasts.

Five things to know before Martinique

  1. Check entry for your passport

    Martinique is French territory and France sets the entry rules. UK and Canadian passport holders can visit without a visa for up to 90 days; check other passports on the official France-Visas site. Visas and entry

  2. Base yourself in the south for beaches

    The calm beaches, including Les Salines, are in the south around Sainte-Anne and Le Diamant. The north has the rainforest, Mount Pelée and black-sand bays.

  3. Visit a rum distillery with a designated driver

    Martinique's rhum agricole is made from fresh cane juice and many distilleries offer tastings. Roads are winding, so plan who drives.

  4. See Saint-Pierre and Mount Pelée

    The 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée destroyed Saint-Pierre; the ruins and museum explain it. Climb Pelée early from the Aileron trailhead, before the clouds come in.

  5. Book around hurricane season

    Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with most storms from August to October. Buy insurance when you book and check how it handles storm cancellations. Travel insurance

Martinique travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

Fort-de-France

The capital: where to stay, two days and how to get around.

Read the guideVisas and entry

French entry rules and who needs a visa.

Read the guideTravel insurance

Medical, evacuation and storm cover to check for Martinique.

Read the guidePhones and eSIM

Data plans, roaming charges and coverage between islands.

Read the guideMoney and costs

Euros, card payments and costs on a French island.

Read the guideGetting around

Rental cars, ferries to Fort-de-France and regional ferries.

Read the guideVisa checker

Check the entry rule for your passport.

Read the guide

Top places to visit in Martinique

See all attractions in Martinique
Soldiers and tents at a historical military campPark · Fort-de-FranceLa Savane Parka large building with a lot of windowsLandmark · Fort-de-FranceBibliothèque SchœlcherLa FrançaiseBeach · Fort-de-FranceLa Françaisewhite and brown concrete structure during daySight · Fort-de-FranceFort St-Louis

Destinations in Martinique

Where to stay in Martinique

Neighborhood first, hotel second.

All stay guides
aerial view of city buildings during daytimeFort-de-FranceWhere to stay in Fort-de-France: four bases from downtown to the bay
Find a room in Martinique

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Itineraries

A view of a city with a church steeple in the background2 daysFort-de-France in 2 days: market, library and a ferry or BalataA two-day Fort-de-France plan: market, Schoelcher Library and Savane on day one, then the Trois-Îlets ferry or the Jardin de Balata, with a rain plan.

When to go

  • Rainy days
  • Best
  1. JanuaryRain18 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Dry, peak season
  2. FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Dry, breezy
  3. MarchRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Dry, sunny
  4. AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, quieter
  5. MayRain18 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Warm, quiet
  6. JuneRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Hurricane season
  7. JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Hot, showers
  8. AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hurricane risk
  9. SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hurricane peak
  10. OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Storm risk, rain
  11. NovemberRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Season ends
  12. DecemberRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Busy holidays

Average daily high and low in Fort-de-France, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

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Right now in Martinique

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Rain

29

Feels like
34°
Humidity
76%
Wind
25 km/h
Chance of rain
100%

Martinique

04:05 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-4

  1. Today28°24°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
  2. Tue29°24°75%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 75%.
  3. Wed29°23°36%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 36%.
  4. Thu30°23°51%Thursday: Clear. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 51%.
  5. Fri30°23°89%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 89%.
  6. Sat31°23°57%Saturday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 57%.
  7. Sun31°23°63%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 63%.

Updated 12:46 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Before you go to Martinique

eSIM for MartiniqueData without roaming feesRead the guideTravel insuranceCheck medical and storm coverRead the guideEntry rulesFrench rules outside SchengenRead the guide
Rules for Martinique, checked
UK passport holders can visit Martinique without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or businessChecked Oct 4, 2026 · Read more

Martinique FAQ

Do I need a visa for Martinique?

UK passport holders can visit without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business, per the UK government. For other passports, check the official France-Visas site.

Where should I stay in Martinique?

The south, around Sainte-Anne, Le Diamant and Les Trois-Îlets, for beaches and restaurants. Stay a night in the north if you plan to climb Mount Pelée early.

When is hurricane season in Martinique?

June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October. December to April is drier and calmer, and prices are highest then; May and June are a good compromise.

Can I take a ferry from Martinique to other islands?

Yes. Ferries link Fort-de-France with Guadeloupe, Dominica and St Lucia. Check schedules, as they change by season.

Do I need to speak French in Martinique?

It helps. French and Martinican Creole are the main languages, and English is less common outside hotels.

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