Going to en Martinique: Formalities and administrative steps

Organize your stay en Martinique

Money en Martinique

A French overseas department and region (DROM), Martinique is part of the euro zone. This means you can make withdrawals and payments by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) just as you would in mainland France. There's no need to carry large amounts of cash. All card payments are free of charge, and withdrawals are subject to the same conditions as in mainland France (i.e. they are free of charge for most bank cards). What's more, ATMs and payment terminals are just as secure as in mainland France, and most payments are validated by PIN code.

In the event of loss or theft of your card outside France, your bank will offer you appropriate solutions to ensure that you can continue your stay in complete peace of mind. Before you leave, make a note of the assistance number printed on the back of your bank card or available on the Internet. This service is available 24/7. In the event of a stop payment, this is immediately confirmed as soon as you can provide your bank card number. Otherwise, the opposition is recorded, but you must confirm the cancellation to your bank by fax or registered letter.

Remember to tell your bank advisor about your trip. He or she can check with you whether your payment and withdrawal limits have been set. If necessary, ask for an exceptional authorization to increase your limit.

To find the nearest ATM, geolocation tools are available on :

visa.fr/services-en-ligne/trouver-un-distributeur or mastercard.com/en/particuliers/trouver-distributeur-banque.html.

If you've reached your withdrawal limit or your card is malfunctioning, you can benefit from a cash advance. Offered by most major banks, this service enables you to withdraw cash simply by presenting your bank card at the counter of any bank, whether your own or not. You will often be asked for proof of identity. In general, the cash advance limit is the same as the withdrawal limit, and the two are cumulative (if your limit is €500, you can withdraw €1,000: €500 at the ATM, €500 in cash advance). As for the cost of the operation, it's the same as for a withdrawal abroad.

Please note that most establishments on the island refuse to accept cheques out of the country.

Budget & Tips en Martinique

The cost of living in Martinique is 30% higher than in mainland France for some basic foodstuffs. For your daily purchases, Martinique has supermarket chains identical to those in mainland France. It is rather the bill that will surprise you! Food is much more expensive. This is due to the cost of transport and various taxes, including dock dues. However, VAT is lower (8.5%). To reduce your budget, turn to local products, especially local vegetables. The problem is knowing how to cook them, which is not easy for beginners!

Passport and visas en Martinique

Any French citizen in possession of a valid national identity card or passport may visit the French West Indies. Children must have a personal passport (valid for five years) or a valid identity card. All passports issued in France are now biometric. To obtain a passport, go to the Mairie (town hall) with a tax stamp, proof of address, an identity document and two passport photos. The passport is issued in around three weeks. It is valid for ten years. However, if you wish to continue your trip to the former British Isles (St. Lucia, Dominica, etc.), you will need a valid passport and a return or onward ticket.

Nationals of Canada and the United States are admitted without a visa for a stay of less than 3 months, on simple official proof of identity. Minors must be in possession of a national identity card.

Please note entry requirements for pets. Find out before you leave how they can accompany you: www.vosdroits.service-public.fr, or visit the Société Centrale Canine website www.scc.asso.fr.

A word of advice: before you leave, remember to photocopy all your documents (passport, license). In the event of loss or theft, this will make it much easier to renew them with the consular authorities. You can also keep copies on the official website (mon.service-public.fr). Simply create an account and scan all your identity papers and other important documents into the confidential area.

Driver's license en Martinique

A valid driver's license is required in Martinique.

Health en Martinique

Mosquitoes are the main enemy of your trip to Martinique. Wipe yourself down with DEET-based repellents in concentrations of 25 and 30%, especially if you're usually fond of these delicate critters, and wear light but covering clothing. You can take some with you, but Martinique pharmacies are very well equipped. Sleep under a mosquito net.

Of all mosquitoes, only one is a disease-carrier:Aedes aegypti, which carries the dengue virus. This virus causes high fever, headaches and body aches. Most of the time benign (but very distressing), dengue fever can become dramatic in 1% of cases, transforming into dengue hemorrhagic fever, a dangerous form in the Caribbean that can cause severe bleeding, shock and even death.

Chikungunya is also present in Martinique. It is transmitted from human to human by mosquitoes. After an incubation period averaging four to seven days, a high fever suddenly appears, accompanied by joint pain. The course of the disease is usually favorable, with no after-effects.

Finally, since 2015, the South American subcontinent has been on alert for the zika virus epidemic. Transmitted by infected mosquitoes and likely to have arrived in Brazil during the 2014 soccer World Cup, this virus with flu-like symptoms is believed to be the cause of thousands of cases of fetal microcephaly in infected pregnant women. Martinique and Guadeloupe have been affected since January 2016, although the epidemic has since subsided.

In addition to mosquitoes, there are also yen-yens, tiny midges that resemble tiny mosquitoes, which bite non-stop and are very annoying.

Other species to be feared in Martinique, apart from mosquitoes, are the "matoutou-falaises" (so much cuter than the term mygale, to which it is related, although less dangerous) and scolopendres, those delicious centipedes that cause a high fever and love damp places, showers, greasy grass... Another of nature's misdeeds is the mancenillier, a tree that grows at the edge of certain beaches: don't touch its leaves or fruit, as this can cause burns and itching. Given the risk of ciguatera (a disease transmitted by eating fish), don't eat your catch without authorized advice. Finally, the West Indies' only venomous snake, the trigonocephalus, hides in the sugarcane fields. It's also known as the spearhead of Martinique. It is very dangerous to humans if bitten.

Beware of the mancenillium, a highly toxic and irritating tree. Ingestion of its fruit, which resembles a small apple, can be fatal. Located along the beach, it is usually indicated by a red sign.

Mandatory vaccination en Martinique

No specific vaccination is required.

Yellow fever vaccination is not compulsory for travellers from Europe or the USA, but may be required for those arriving from countries where the disease is present (sub-Saharan Africa, but especially South America: Guyana, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru).

However, you are advised to ensure that your recommended vaccinations are up to date: diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and B, whooping cough.

Security en Martinique

There are no particular problems to report in Martinique. That said, a few common-sense rules are in order: don't leave anything lying around in your car, especially anything valuable, and don't wander alone at night in isolated areas or in certain districts of Fort-de-France.

Time difference en Martinique

There is a 5 hour difference during winter time in mainland France (when it is 6pm in Paris, it is 1pm in Fort-de-France) and 6 hours in summer, from March to October.

Spoken languages en Martinique

Of course, the official language in Martinique is French! But the vast majority of Martinicans speak Creole. Creole is a linguistic fusion of different cultures (French, English, Spanish, Indian, African and indigenous). A parallel can be drawn with the similarities between French and Latin. Creole has a French lexical base, resembling French but with its own vocabulary.

In Creole, we write as we speak. Creole knows neither conjugation nor formal address. Here, everyone is on first-name terms.

Creole is spoken throughout the Lesser Antilles, but each island has its own "Creole".

Communication en Martinique

Martinique enjoys excellent telephone and Internet coverage. All hotels and many restaurants, bars and even some public areas have free wifi. Better than 3G and 4G connection.

Electricity and measurements en Martinique

You will find 220 volts on the whole island, as well as French plugs.

Luggage en Martinique

One of the must-have accessories in your suitcase is a swimsuit, of course! Don't hesitate to pack several, as they'll be your main outfit. Flip-flops and a hat or cap will complete your holiday outfit.

Take light clothing with you: shorts, T-shirts, skirts and lightweight dresses. Temperatures fluctuate between 25 and 30°C. Don't forget your sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare, which is particularly blinding near the sea.

Mosquito spray is a must to combat the numerous insects that appear in the late afternoon. They are extremely small and numerous, and the saying "It's not the little bugs that eat the big ones" is not always true... A high factor sun protection cream will also be invaluable. Don't hesitate to choose a special product to protect children's skin. We even recommend leaving them a T-shirt on the beach. An after-sun lotion or Biafine© will be welcome after a good sunbath. However, pharmacies and supermarkets stock all these products and have nothing to envy metropolitan France.

Last but not least, take along closed shoes, or even hiking boots, which are more suitable than flip-flops for your excursions in the north. And last but not least, the essential masks and snorkels.

Daily life en Martinique

Hello? en Martinique

The area code for Martinique is 05 96 for landlines and 06 96 for mobiles.

To call Martinique from mainland France, dial the 10-digit number without dialing 00 and without entering an international code. To call mainland France from Martinique, you don't need to dial 00 33.

To call abroad from Martinique, dial 00, the code of the country you wish to reach, then the number of your correspondent. Cell phones work properly in Martinique. If you have a cell phone package in mainland France, it works the same way in Martinique. Calls are included in your package, as is 3G or 4G Internet connection. However, operators set limits on Internet data consumption (check with your operator before you leave). So you don't need to buy a SIM card on the spot. Be careful, however, if you're traveling to the neighboring English-speaking islands (on a cruise or otherwise). You may be in for a surprise when it comes to tariffs if you use your fixed-rate plan. A word of advice: switch to airplane mode or deactivate cellular data when abroad.

Accessibility en Martinique

Accessibility is not Martinique's strong point. But more and more places are equipped to receive people with reduced mobility. The infrastructure in general in public places is to French standards. In the city centers, pavements are not really wheelchair accessible because of their narrowness. Whether you are a person with reduced mobility or an accompanying person, specialized associations or organizations can help you to make your stay easier.

Health en Martinique

Hygiene standards in Martinique are close to those in mainland France, and the few health precautions to be taken are more in keeping with the tropical island environment: beware of the sun (which is much stronger than in mainland France, so remember to stay well hydrated) and mosquito bites. Extreme caution should be exercised in the case of small wounds (which are often difficult to heal in this environment). Last but not least, the sea can be a dangerous place, so you need to be careful: don't swim alone, far from the shore, not after a heavy meal (or a heavy drink) and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun; always enter the water gradually. Beware of sea urchins, coral and other jellyfish or poisonous fish. Martinique is subject to the same health regulations as mainland France, so don't forget to bring your carte Vitale in case you need to be hospitalized there, as well as your health insurance card.

Emergency numbers en Martinique

There's no shortage of medical services in Martinique. Among the most important are the Fort-de-France CHU (✆ 05 96 55 20 00) and the Saint-Paul clinic (✆ 05 96 39 40 00). If you have a problem, contact SOS Médecins ✆ 05 96 63 33 33. They will establish a pre-diagnosis over the phone and inform you of the nearest doctor to your place of residence.

Securty en Martinique

Martinique is a very safe destination. It is perfectly possible to travel with children who will enjoy the abundance of beach activities, sports and leisure activities adapted for them! Only one little drawback: the jet lag. Also be careful to protect their skin from the harmful effects of a particularly blazing sun. And of course beware of mosquitoes.

LGBTQ en Martinique

A club, a beach (Les Petites Salines), a few restaurants and accommodation: although the island is a gay-friendly place, there are relatively few establishments exclusively for gays in Martinique. It's mainly in the capital, Fort-de-France, that you'll find the most establishments for the LGBTQ community.

Mail en Martinique

Postage is the same as in metropolitan France. Letters or cards must be marked "By air". Delivery time is 5 to 7 days. Outside the post office, stamps are rare, which causes considerable queues. There are daily collections for air mail transfers. As for the post offices, which are generally crowded, they are open from 8am to 4pm on weekdays and on Saturday mornings.

Local media en Martinique

All press titles from mainland France are available in Martinique (often at a higher price, due to the need for transport...). Press titles include France Antilles, Martinique's only daily, La Tribune des Antilles Magazine, Choubouloute, Bois Lélé, Martinique Bonjour and Amina. Websites: www.bellemartinique.com, www.zananas-martinique.com. Radio stations in mainland France are all relayed in Martinique by local radio stations. The Martinique la^1ère channel broadcasts the France Télévisions TV news in addition to local broadcasts.