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-   -   Martinique for day? (https://www.fodors.com/community/caribbean-islands/martinique-for-day-441998/)

Sara8374 Jun 13th, 2004 08:11 AM

Martinique for day?
 
What to do here for a day? Just looking to relax on a nice beach- any great recommendations and how to get there from port?

freester Jun 14th, 2004 11:33 AM

Martinique is a hole. I would avoid it.

croix Jun 15th, 2004 11:46 AM

Freester, please tell me more. I have heard differently. Have you been there?I am thinking about a day trip.Thanks.

faithie Jun 15th, 2004 12:58 PM

I would be interested in knowing why it is a Hole as well . It certainly looks very beautiful , lush , and tropical and has a vibrant culture .... freester , could you elaborate .. Faith .

freester Jun 15th, 2004 01:32 PM

I stopped there on a cruise at the port. I felt it wasn't clean or safe. The shopping was not very impressive. There may be other areas that are nicer, but I didn't see them. It is my least favorite carribean island.

croix Jun 15th, 2004 03:53 PM

Freester, thanks. What are your favorite islands, what shopping do you like? I have heard M. is clean, safe and nice being a state of France and funds flowing in from the mainland for roads?

freester Jun 15th, 2004 03:58 PM

Aruba and Grand Cayman were more impressive and upscale. I felt Martinique was like St Lucia, another island I didn't especially care for.

faithie Jun 16th, 2004 08:55 AM

Ah , There you go , st . Lucia is the island tops on my list for its beauty , feeling etc. Aruba on the other hand , for me is not appealing at all . I know it is extremely popular , I am obviously the odd man out but both Martinique and st. Lucia look much more to my tastes . Thanx for replying though , any advice is appreciated !! Faith

JMM Jun 16th, 2004 10:20 AM

Martinique is not a "hole". The island is very green and lush. Personally I would recommend taking a tour following the Route de la Trace (incredibly lush rain forest) and then to St Pierre and back along the coast. Best bet - get together with friends, find a van driver who speaks English (and lots do) and do a tour. We got a 3 hour tour in a nice clean air-conditioned mini-van (7 of us $30 each). The number of people sharing determines the individual cost. Taxis are NOT cheap - so I definitely recommend getting a group together. We just got together with some people we met on the dock.

jacketwatch Jun 16th, 2004 11:08 AM

We toured Martinique last yr. and were most pleasantly surprised. It is green, lush and you must see the rain forest. It is spectacular. I too heard all this crap about it and found nothing of the sort. I also heard about how rude the people are and I must say found none of that as well. Be friendly to them and you will get it in return.

Jed Jun 17th, 2004 07:11 AM

A few years ago we spent a week in Martinique. There were ferries between Fort-de-France and the southern part where the beaches are. Check out the miniguide (under destinations) on this site for Martinique. ((C))


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