Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Martinique depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for MartiniqueEmergency Numbers
- General
- 15/17/18 (French emergency numbers)
Currency
- Name
- Euro
- Code
- EUR
- Symbol
- €
Martinique is an overseas region of France and uses the Euro. ATMs widespread. Cards accepted almost everywhere — it is France, after all.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type C, Type E
- Voltage
- 220V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
AST (UTC−4) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
December–April is dry season — warm, clear, and ideal for beaches at Les Salines, the rhum agricole distillery trail, and hiking Mount Pelée. July–October is hurricane season and also the Carnival season (February–March) which is spectacular.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | Service compris (included) in most restaurants — check. Additional tip for great service appreciated. |
| Taxis | 10% | — |
| Hotels | €1–2 for porters | — |
Dress Code
- Resort casual at beaches and beach towns
- Smart casual for Fort-de-France's restaurants
- Modest dress inland and in local villages
Social Etiquette
- Martinique is France — French manners apply: greet with 'Bonjour' before any interaction; a kiss on both cheeks for acquaintances
- Rhum agricole (distilled from fresh sugarcane juice, not molasses) is the island's great contribution to world spirits — Ti Punch (rum, lime, cane syrup) is the national drink
- Creole culture and language are distinctly Martiniquaise — French is official but Antillean Creole is widely spoken
- The 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée destroyed the city of Saint-Pierre in minutes — the ruins are haunting and beautiful
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- French law applies in full — EU regulations, LGBTQ+ rights (equal since 2013), and all French legal standards
- Topless sunbathing is legally permitted at most beaches
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (French) | Bonjour | bon-ZHOOR |
| Thank you (French) | Merci | mehr-SEE |
| Cheers! (French) | Santé! | sahn-TAY |
| Ti Punch | Un ti punch, s'il vous plaît | un tee PUNCH — order this instead of a cocktail |
| Hello (Antillean Creole) | Bonjou! | bon-ZHOO — slightly different from French |
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