Martinique Travel Guide
Located in the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea, Martinique is an overseas
French country who has wonderfully mixed exotic with the chic. With a
neighboring country like
Trinidad and Tobago and
Puerto Rico, Martinique is more
than just a pretty girl's name. Most remarkably, it is a pretty country's name.
Peak season is during december to april and the prices for accommodation usually
soar up. If want to visit at a time when temperature is still pleasant but will
not leave your pockets empty, then plan your vacation during may and june.
Climate for the said period is still dry with a bit of humidity and the prices
are still at very much affordable.
Martinique has three major cities. First is La Trinite City which stretches out
to the Caravelle peninsula. Second is Fort de France which is the country's
business center and administrative capital. Third is the city of Saint Pierre
which is often referred to as the 'Paris of the Lesser Antilles' (meaning
'Breezy Islands'). Saint Pierre is famously known for the volcanic eruption of
Mont Pelée in 1902 where more than 30,000 inhabitants were unfortunately killed.
To start your tour of Martinique, you can start up north, where you can visit
Case Pilote which is a 17th century Jesuit church in rococo style, Le Carbet
where you see the Gauguin Museum and the Bally distillery in the outskirts of
the town and Bellefontaine which is a quaint fishing village hanging onto the
cliff's edge. The village of Morne Vert also provides a splendid view of the
Carbet and Mont Pelée, while Le Marigot is a charming village which faces the
sea and is built like an amphitheater that is bursting with flowers.
At the heart of Fort de France, there are a lot of tourist attractions grouped
with the city's La Savane (Savannah) - a pure five hectare green haven overflowing
with marvelous tropical plants. There is La Baie de Fort de France which is
touted as one of the most beautiful bays in the world and La Cathedrale Saint
Louis with a Roman style bell tower. If that is not enough, you can make a quick
stop at the Schoelcher Library, the Floral Park which has a botanical and
geological gallery and of course, you can discover Fort de France by spending
time in the fruit and vegetable market and fish market.
The south of Martinique can keep you equally busy with a lot of bewitching
fishing villages coupled with unspoiled beaches. These are Les Anses d'Arlet,
Sainte Luce, Le Robert and Le Vauclin. There are also agricultural villages of
Riviere Pilote, Le Francois and Le Saint Esprit.
Despite all these mentioned, take note that you also have the option to join
promotional tours provided by many travel agencies in the country. You can take
the classic routes of Botanical Region of the North, Seaquarium, "The Great
South" and White Sandy Sea Beds. If you prefer the road less traveled but filled
with still jam packed with adventures, try the Cross Country Cycling Circuits,
Four Wheel Drive Adventures, Guided Tour of Fort de France and Sailing, Hiking,
Canoeing (Basalt) tour.
In Martinique, you have a couple of options on where you can stay. You can have
your pick of reserving at large resorts, staying at more affordable country
guesthouses or even renting private villas for your utmost privacy.