Martinique, Caribbean

Martinique is a dependent territory of France and retains both French and Caribbean culture. It is a rich, highly developed island with a six-lane highway, huge shopping malls, and some of the finest restaurants in the Caribbean. The northern part of the island lures hikers who seek to climb the mountains and explore the rain forests while the southern portions offer shopping and beaches for those who choose to just relax. Everything about Martinique, from the new airport to the old plantation houses, has style.

Fort-de-France is the island's capital city as well as its cultural and commercial hub. Most of the other towns such as Ste-Anne and Vauclin to the south and Carbet and Marigot to the north, are either small resorts or fishing villages.

Things to See & Do

* Musée de la Pagerie - sugar estate
* La Savane - central park
* Les Ombrages botanical gardens
* Les Salines beach
* Saint Pierre

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - euro (EUR)
Language - French, Creole
Land Area - 1,101sq km
Population - 425,000
Electricity - 2 round pins European style
Time - GMT minus four hours
International Country Telephone Code - 596

Port Location - Cruise ships land at Pointe Simon in the Capital city of Fort-de-France.

Transport Links - All flights to Martinique arrive at Lamentin International Airport, just a 10-minute drive from Fort-de-France. Flights are available to and from Paris daily and from cities on the east coast of the US.

Public transportation, the cheapest transport option, consists of buses known as taxi collectifs. Cars, bikes and motorbikes are available for rent. Ferries run between Fort de France and the main resort area of Pointe Du Bout.