Travel Tips in Martinique

Taxi Tips

Taxis in Martinique are expensive. From the airport to Fort-de-France you'll pay at least €35; from the airport to Pointe du Bout, about €50; and to Tartane, about €60. A 40% surcharge is levied between 7 pm and 6 am and on Sunday. If you arrive at night, depending on where your hotel is, it may be cheaper (although not safer) to rent a car from the airport and keep it for 24 hours than to take a taxi to your hotel.

Renting a Car

Be prepared for a manual shift, steep mountainous roads, and heavy traffic. Prices are about €70 per day or €330 per week (unlimited mileage), substantially more for an automatic, which is rare. Usually, you won't find them unless you book in advance.

Alternative Transportation

Locals take collectifs (white vans holding up to 10 passengers) that cost just a few euros and depart from Pointe Simon, on the waterfront in Fort-de-France, to all parts of the island. Don't be shy; the difference can be €3 and, say, €60 for a taxi to reach the same destination. Drivers don't usually speak English and there's no a/c.

Bus Mozaik. A private bus company, Bus Mozaik, with fares from €1.20 and a/c, has stops within the city, and services Lamentin, the Fort-de-France suburbs like Schoelcher, and as far into the interior of the island as St. Joseph. Buses leave from Pointe Simon, on the waterfront, where the public buses congregate. www.aquelleheure.fr/bus.htm.

The tourist offices can help with maps and information.