Fort de France as a base to explore Martinique?
 

I will be doing research in the Archives in Fort de France in July for two weeks. My husband will be joining me at the end of the period, and we would like to take 4-5 days to visit the plantations and other historical sites and do some hiking in the northern part of the island. Is it realistic to keep our apartment in Fort-de-France and make day or overnight trips from there? Thanks!

Yes, FDF is central to the rainforest in the middle of the island, the west coast to visit St. Pierre & Mont Pelee, but you can also reach the south coast beaches and Josephine's birthplace. If you want some beachfront living, stay at one of those places for a couple nights.

Actually, if you can get out of FDF to explore the rest of the island, I'd do it. The traffic can be terrible, and you could get around a lot more easily if you based yourself at a quiet small inn or hotel in the countryside. Many of these have kitchens. Of course, if it's a lot cheaper or more convenient to keep the apartment, then do that. But I think you'll find it more comfortable and pleasant to get out of Fort de France. Despite all the improvements there (and I've heard they are considerable), it's not a place I'd really want to spend any amount of time if I didn't have to.

Thank you both for your insights. I'm actually renting an apartment with a (sliver of an) ocean view in Trois-Ilets and then taking a ferry to FdF. I've heard that public transportation is unreliable and traffic is terrible, so I'm thinking of renting a scooter~ has anyone done that?

I don't think a scooter is a good idea in Martinique, which has a lot of hills and variable weather, unless you're an experienced rider. I only have experience in Mykonos and Santorini, but friends rented scooters there and had accidents, one of which sent my friend to the hospital, though thankfully not for a serious injury. I'd stick with a car, despite the costs.

Thanks for your suggestions, Doug. I really want to see as much of the island as possible that's consistent with doing the work I need to do under the terms of my grant. Luckily, a sccoter is my main mode of commuting in downtown Colorado Springs~ if I can deal with the SUVs and libertarian driving of my Colorado fellow citizens, I could probably manage Martinique~! :-)

I would also suggest that you rent a car as there are quite a lot of mountains. Plus you might want to avoid getting either sunburnt or completely washed out (it rains in the rainforest) and it is a tropical climate so you should expect some pretty heavy downpours. Alternatively you can book trips in a 4x4 to the north or south (see website www.lebonplanenmartinique.com).
It is only about an hours drive from Trois Ilets to Saint Pierre by car, so you could keep the apartment as a base. I would recommend you explore the wild beaches on the south and eastern parts of Martinique. A catamaran trip is a very pleasant day out. Good beach and restaurant in Grande Anse d'Arlets at Ti'Sable.

Thanks, Doug. One more question: it seems that I don't need a visa, just a valid passport, as I am a US citizen, but I haven't been able to confirm this from an authoritative source on the web. Hoping I don't need a visa, as I leave on Sunday!

Unless you are working for a salary, you don't need a visa to visit Martinique. You definitely do not need a visa to travel there for tourism. Academic research (non-paid since you would, presumably, be an employee elsewhere) shouldn't present any problems, but it's a little late if there are issues you haven't considered. Just write "tourism" on your landing form.

Hi lilybart - did you go to Martinique? Have you posted your experiences anywhere? I'm always interested in information in English about Martinique...we're going there later this month for the 1st time.....

I will be doing a home exchange in Martinique in May-June 2015 and just wanted to let you know I had reviewed this thread. I will be there for 6 whole weeks! The home is in Lamartin about 10 km from Fort de France. I should have plenty of time to explore the whole island and do some serious beach time.

About time someone went to the French islands, Martinique and Guadeloupe are very beautiful and don't really understand why more don't visit. I guess it's the language but then that doesn't stop anyone going to Paris. Or maybe the lack of high end accommdation and infrequent flights.

I have yet to research the flights. I am going to book in the next few days. The French islands are part of France and they use the euro. One of the reasons not to go, I surmise, is that they are probably more expensive than some of the other islands. Since I do speak French fairly well (although not 100% fluent), the language should be OK for me but the accent might be difficult. Anyway, it is a chance to take a break and see a new place--one of the benefits of home exchange.

I will blog the trip. My website is http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/

Yes, Odin, the flight connections are not the best as I discovered buying tickets. I have a long night in the Miami airport, but more convenient coming back. I had to adjust the dates a bit around the edges to avoid very complicated connections. Easier connections would encourage more tourists.

I just wish I was there now.

I had my flights adjusted. Instead of several hours in the Miami airport, I start out in DC at 6:00am. Anyway you do it, it is not convenient, but international flights often are not.

The Euro is going down so might be less expensive. Also, since it is part of France, you get the French supermarkets and bakeries which can make a stay less expensive if you cater for yourself from time to time. There is quite a lot of street food. There are plenty of European tourists anyway, since connections from Paris are easier than from the US. A bit of French is fine, some people on the islands are from neighbouring English speaking islands so some English is spoken. Express des Iles service can get you from Fort de France to Guadeloupe and other small islands, eg Les Saintes, Marie Galante etc.

My blog on my home exchange in Martinique is here for anyone who is interested:

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...june-2015.html

The traffic is awful--and not just during rush hours. They are doing some road building but it obviously will not be finished before I leave. The home exchange is May 9-June 15, 2015. It is actually my 60th home exchange since 1990.

I am going to do 2 nights in Dominica before leaving. I was supposed to do a day long trip to St. Lucia but it got cancelled due to lack of participants--no big deal.

All these Caribbean islands are similar--you come for the beach and good weather. Fort de France as a city is not very interesting. It is deserted at night when the office workers go home.

Martinique only has about 410,000 people to give you an idea--and they are spread out all over the islands.

I would stay in Trois Islets and just enjoy the beach there if I wasn't home exchanging. Le Lamentin--where I am located--is not very convenient for beaches, but you drive. You drive against the traffic if you can--which is a key to getting anywhere here.

Have fun on your holidays.

Hi Everyone! I'm traveling to Martinique this coming January and by the looks of the comments I think it would be best to stay in the south of the island, correct? If I base myself there, where are the best beaches? I've heard that Diamant is good, but I'm not looking to be in an incredibly tourist driven area either... any suggestions? Also, I plan on doing my traveling by bicycle. Cheers!

-Dom