travel books martinique

• Guidebook All you need to know
• About Martinique
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• How to get there
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• Restaurants and nightlife
• Sport and activities

All you need to know

The only complete and detailed English travel guide to the Caribbean island Martinique!

Looking for a real guidebook? Want to discover hidden secrets and places off the beaten track? Looking to get away from the tourist traps and explore the beauty of Martinique? Need advice and tips from the inhabitants of the island?

Our complete and detailed guidebook gives you an indepth look into the Caribbean paradise, written by people who actually live here. Martinique is an island of never-ending summer that has a fascinating French history, rich culture, delicious cuisine, tasty rum and a breath-taking natural beauty.

We’re so in love with this island, a little slice of heaven, that we want to share it with you.

Come explore it with us!

What’s inside?

Download preview

More than 200 stunning photos

Special Offers  – discounts inside the book for great recommended places

Secret Tips – places you will not find in any other guide

1 Day Trips – try our special day trip routes that will show you the most interesting places around the island

QR code map system “scan and go”  – easily find everything you’re looking for

Top 10 places – top picks to visit during your stay

All you need to know about the island – more than 200 illustrations of fauna and flora, history, traditions, culture, food, sights, useful tips and much, much more<

Hundreds of shops and markets sorted by categories

Smart icons for easy orientation

Colour-coded chapters  for quick reference

More than 70 sights, 50 beaches and 30 hikes  with photos, description and easy navigation

Recommended restaurants, bars and hotels  plus another 200 suggestions to go out

Start planning your trip: buy your book online now!

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Fort-de-France – Kazabul, Presence Kreol, Boutique Mathilda (Jardin de Balata)

Lamentin – Cultura (Californie)

Airport – Aeropresse – public hall 1st floor, boarding hall

Trois-Ilets – Savane des Esclaves,  Beach break (Anse Mitan), Coast to coast (Anse à l’Âne)

Sainte-Luce  – La Carambole

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Sailing in the Caribbean paradise

Ready to book your dream holiday? Discover Saint Lucia, Dominica or Grenadines on the perfect sailing trip that explores the Caribbean. Awesome boats for affordable prices. Book your adventure now.

Volcanic in origin, Martinique is a mountainous stunner crowned by the still-smoldering Mont Pelée, the volcano that famously wiped out the former capital of St-Pierre in 1902. Offering a striking diversity of landscapes and atmospheres, Martinique is a cosmopolitan and sophisticated island that boasts world-class beaches, top-notch hiking, great culinary experiences, an enormous array of activities and some colourful cultural life.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Grande Anse des Salines

A perfect arc of white sand, Grande Anse des Salines is the Caribbean you came to see. Palm trees lean over the ribbon of beach that shelves ever so…

Jardin de Balata

Just 10km north of Fort-de-France, this mature botanical garden in a rainforest setting is one of Martinique’s top attractions and will please anyone with…

Plage Anse d'Arlet

This gorgeous stretch of dark-golden sand in front of Anse d'Arlet Bourg is backed by the village's 18th-century church and is one of the loveliest places…

Fort St-Louis

Fort-de-France

The hulking fortress that gave the city its name lies on the far side of La Savane and dates from 1640, although most of what stands today is the result…

Anse l'Etang

This palm-fringed beach with coarse golden sand and lots of shade is one of Martinique’s most appealing strands. It's not altogether suitable for swimming…

Zoo de Martinique

One of northern Martinique's biggest attractions, this zoo–botanical garden–historical site almost gives you three for the price of one. Amid the ruins of…

The main beach in Trois-Îlets is a gorgeous stretch of white sand that shelves gradually into a turquoise sea. The views are of Fort-de-France and the…

Theater Ruins

St-Pierre’s most impressive ruins are those of the town's 18th-century theater. While most of it was destroyed in the 1902 eruption of Mont Pelée, enough…

Latest stories from Martinique

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Apr 18, 2018 • 2 min read

When taking a trip, more often than not, the accommodation can play as big a role in creating a relaxing and interesting experience as the destination…

Nov 15, 2017 • 5 min read

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Martinique Instamagic: Travel Guide Martinique - Discover the genuine Martinique Island Paperback – April 5, 2018

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Visual : We get to the point, straight. Travels are made to live magic moments, in exotic places You will discover twenty of them. We have select them for their photogenic, authentic and experiential character. We showcase them to you with large photos and practical informations. Those spots have all been tested and approved by our hosts.
• Complete : In our yellow book, you will find more than seventy addresses for eating, sleeping, and doing things. No bullshit, short descriptions, complete indications for not making mistakes.
• Authentic : Out of the beaten path spots, curated by local people and approved by travelers. All the spots, are our habits, our favorites and those we already shared with our guests. Its because they like them, that we have curated them.
• Social : As our guests, we want to create a deep and meaningful relation with you and the community of instamagicians. You can find all the instamagicians photos on instagram with our hashtags, talk with us by email, if you get stuck in the destination, or not finding a spot.
• Fun and useful : Paper maps are toooo 1976. So, we have included a GPS map that you can download for free with your travel guide. You will use it on your phone, even offline, with no data plan needed on destination. You will have a HowTo inside the guide. You will get instant directions of the twenty spots + the seventy addresses, two taps away, on your mobile phone. Because there is nothing more annoying that finding a close door in a place recommended by a travel guide, we have created the Change Email Alert. Once you buy the book, you can signup to the list in our website, we will inform you of all past changes and you will receive notifications for new ones. This travel guide never self-destructs ! We have also included a spotify playlist of local music, to feel the vibe of the destination, even in the plane.
• Print length 160 pages
• Language English
• Publication date April 5, 2018
• Dimensions 8.25 x 0.38 x 8.25 inches
• ISBN-10 1980791708
• ISBN-13 978-1980791706
• See all details

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (April 5, 2018)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1980791708
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1980791706
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 0.38 x 8.25 inches

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• A First Time Travelers Guide...

A First-Time Traveler's Guide to Martinique

Contributor

Martinique — Saint Lucia’s overlooked sister island— is a captivating combination of deep rainforest, rocky cliffside terrain, Creole-inspired cuisine, and the calmest, clearest water you’ll ever encounter. The French Caribbean island is over 430sqkm (166sqkm) of rugged paradise that is best explored by car, as each corner of the isle has something spectacular to offer. Go trekking in the north, kayaking in the west, and surfing in the east, all the while eating fancy cheese or freshly-caught fish alongside a refreshing rum punch.

The blend of French and West Indian cultures have created a unique island that is raw and untouched, while also catering to the affluent French tourists that vacation to Martinique once a year. Keep in mind: having a basic French vocabulary will go a long way on this secluded island.

Where to stay

Hotel bakoua – les trois-ilets.

The sultry resort area of Pointe du Bout in Les Trois-Ilets sits just across the bay from Fort-de-France, the island’s capital city. Complete with beachfront accommodation, an infinity pool, and four restaurants and bars, the Creole-designed Hotel Bakoua is frequented by first-time travelers and yearly visitors alike.

Rent an Airbnb

Though many travelers prefer accommodation in the form of hotels, on an island like Martinique — where local tips are key — an Airbnb will take you a long way. With over 300 rentals, ranging from low-key to luxury, you’ll soon realize how far your money goes in Martinique.

Le Diamant is a southeastern town and is home to the island’s longest beach. The luxe Caribbean House on the Sea is a three-bedroom, cliffside haven in this charming town, and overlooks the Marigot Cove (and it’ll cost you a mere $23 USD per person). A little further in the town of Le Marin you’ll find the chic Villa Passe Mon Temps, where $50 USD per person will get you ocean views, an outdoor deck and pool, and two gorgeous poolside bedrooms.

What to eat

Dine at le fromager.

After a 30-minute climb up the winding road from Saint-Pierre, you’re met with Le Fromager to your left: an unassuming, red-roofed restaurant perched atop a cliff. Decorated with wooden tables and chairs, the open-aired space overlooks Turin Cove and the rooftops of the alluring Saint-Pierre. Just as enticing, however, is the inexpensive and appetizing Creole menu. Feast on a fresh vivaneau (red snapper) or local lambi (queen conch) while sipping on a refreshing tropical juice. Visit on a Sunday afternoon, when a casual lunch will turn into a local celebration complete with live music, dancing and delicious Martinique food .

Don’t overlook the roadside vendors

Although there are the “must-go” spots to dine (we are talking about the French Caribbean, after all), Martinique trips are made even better by the street side carts and local eateries. Order the island specialty of grilled fish with steamed rice and ratatouille (or fresh salad) or Poulet Boucane (smoked chicken). Averaging at around €8, these dishes are large enough to feed two and will have you wishing you’d started eating roadside long ago.

Hike the Caravelle Peninsula (Presqu’ile de la Caravelle)

A common local pastime is hiking the jagged terrain of the Caravelle Peninsula. Set along the water’s edge, the headland provides multiple routes and loops. The waves crash against the wild rocks, misting your skin with a welcoming chill. The midday sun seeps through your clothes as you anticipate the next shaded section of the path. As you near your relief, and a casual walk turns into a four-hour trek, you discern voices close by. The trees part and there is au trou cochon: the national park’s watering hole. Literally translating to “pig hole,” this small, covert hangout is scattered with locals spending a lazy Sunday sitting in the unruffled water, sipping on glasses of rose.

Visit the Anse Cafard Slave Memorial

Perched atop Cafard Cove, the slave memorial pays homage to the ship full of slaves that collided with the cliffs of Le Diamant on April 8th, 1830. The group of 15 stone men face the Caribbean Sea and bow their heads in respect, acknowledging the deaths and suffering that occurred at 11pm when crashing and cries shattered the silence of the night. Visiting this outdoor memorial acknowledges an important piece of Martinique’s history, while also providing impressive views over the rough waters of Le Diamant beach.

Lay back on the beaches: Anse Noir and Anse Dufour

On the southwest of the island these two beaches can be found directly beside one another. So what is so unique about these Caribbean coves? Besides being known as a spectacular snorkeling spot (you’re likely to spot a turtle or two), Anse Noir is also recognized for its jet black sand; a highlight of many Martinique trips.

The contrast of the black sand, Tanqueray-green water, and surrounding bold greenery, makes “Black Cove” a truly charming sight. Just a few minute’s walk around the bay will lead you to Anse Noir’s white-sand sister beach, Anse Dufour. Palm trees and local food shacks adorn the small cove while locals fill the transparent water, throwing a frisbee or just passing time.

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5 Essential Tips for Planning a Martinique Vacation

As soon as we returned from our Martinique vacation I knew there were a few tips that I needed to share with everyone planning a trip to Martinique. But first, let me explain why we ended up in Martinique for spring break .

I actually won a free trip to Martinique at a travel event that I attended. The prize from Martinique Tourism included round-trip airfare for two and three nights at the five-star La Suite Villa Hotel in Trois-Ilets. Since we didn’t want to fly to the Caribbean for such a short trip, we decided to extend our stay with three nights at the Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek .

Since we were able to stay in two parts of the island and use our rental car to explore other areas, we were able to get a better sense of what the island is like for a Martinique vacation.

Martinique Vacation Planning Tips

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. This does not impact the advice I provide as I stand behind my recommendations and all opinions are my own.

If you are planning a trip to Martinique, here are the things that you have to know.

1. Martinique is not Your Typical resort island – But There are some Gems

When you think of the Caribbean, it is easy to think of long stretches of sandy beaches lined with sprawling resorts. Places like the Dominican Republic are known for their all-inclusive resorts, and others like Turks & Caicos are known for beautiful beaches.

There are some islands, like Jamaica, where you go and never really leave the resort except perhaps for an excursion to Dunn’s River Falls.

It really isn’t like that in Martinique. Martinique is one of the eighteen regions of France (obviously one of its overseas regions.) It is a living and working island of nearly 400,000 people, with its main industries being construction, rum (from the sugar cane grown on the island), oil refinery, cement, sugar, and tourism. The island is neither posh nor impoverished.

As a mountainous island, the beaches are more limited and many of them are relatively small and rocky. The glittering lights of towns dot these hillsides and driving through the island you will find all the things needed to sustain its population — stores, schools, farms, neighborhoods, etc.

Small hotels are clustered around these beach areas and in the city of Fort-de-France, where the cruise ships dock and where you will find the international airport.

The nicest beach is down in St. Anne, and the Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek , where we stayed, is much more like a typical Caribbean resort than what we saw in other parts of the island. The south in general is lusher, with rolling hills and sugar cane plantations.

The island is known for its culinary scene, with a mix of French and Creole influences. However, you won’t find any well-known American or high-end international hotel brands.  I would also say that the hotel ratings don’t compare to similar ratings in the United States and major European cities.

Because of the smaller hotels, you will also find many visitors rent homes or apartments and walk to local beaches and restaurants. It is definitely a destination for the more independent and intrepid traveler than someone that likes to be pampered and have U.S.-level five-star service and amenities.

Where to Stay on Martinique

While I was here, we went to look at a few other hotels and one I really liked for families was the Hotel Bambou . Although only rated two stars, they have very cute bungalows for families (and suites/rooms for adults only too), as well as full amenities — pools, beach access, restaurant, bar, water sports, etc.

Hotel Bakoua is also a full-service hotel resort on a small beach, offering connecting rooms and suites for families. The rooms here were a little more worn looking and didn’t have the same charm as Hotel Bambou but more rooms are beachfront.

If you don’t care about a beachfront location, La Suite Villa is truly lovely, especially for couples. While not on the beach, La Suite Villa is just a 15-minute walk into town and nearby beaches, nestled on a hill overlooking the harbor. From town, you can catch a ferry over to the capital of Fort-de-France (saving you from the 45-minute drive.)

La Suite Villa offers the French-Caribbean charm and character that you just won’t find at a beach hotel. We really enjoyed our stay here over and above our stay at Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek from a hotel quality standpoint.

The hotel has a funky, artistic vibe and the bedrooms have a lot of character. Ours included a balcony with a hot tub, which we took full advantage of, in addition to the infinity pool. Dining at La Villa Hotel was a true delight and a chance to appreciate the French-Caribbean influences of Martinique.

2. You really should rent a car

Some of you may have already read on Facebook or Instagram about my debacle upon arriving in Martinique. Hopefully, no one else makes the mistakes that I made but even still, I highly recommend renting a car, and here is why:

• Taxis are expensive. From Fort-de-France to Trois Ilet is 60-80 euro. From Fort-de-France to St. Anne in the south is over 100 euros. Even though I knew this, I thought it would be easier to get a taxi than to rent a car, but I was wrong.
• Taxis do not take credit cards. Unfortunately, they only take cash and only euro, so unless you come equipped with a lot of euros (or forget your ATM card like me), you are out of luck.
• Taxis are hard to find. When we arrived at the airport at 9 pm there were hardly any taxis available. And the ones that were there, were quite picky about who they would and wouldn’t take. So if you are going to an area they don’t want to drive to, tough luck.
• You need to move around . As I mentioned above, this isn’t an island where it is all about the resorts and people don’t leave the resorts. You need to move around. With the exception of Club Med, which is one of the few all-inclusive resorts, you will want to leave your hotel for some meals and possibly to get to the beach or explore other areas. There aren’t lines of taxis around so this can be challenging.
• There is no Uber. Need I say more?

That said, you need to make a reservation in advance. When I arrived, many of the car rental counters were closed for the evening and the ones that were still open would not rent to me without a reservation.

Car rentals are not cheap, but in retrospect, it is worth it because it is actually LESS hassle than finding a cab. The line for Budget / Enterprise was HUGE at the airport so to avoid that mess, you may want to go with another brand like Jumbo Cars (Sixt was closed also when we arrived.)

I typically use Auto Europe when comparing car rental rates overseas .

I ended up renting in Trois Islet and returning to the airport from Europcar. I use Europcar often, so I have a high level of trust in the quality of their vehicles. I usually just search with Auto Europe and book the best deal that comes up.

3. Bring Plenty of Euro cash

As a French region, the currency is the Euro. Perhaps it is different in the cruise port, but in the many shops and restaurants we visited, I saw only one that had a sign showing that they took US dollars. And, as I mentioned earlier, cabs only take euros (no credit cards.)

Most shops and restaurants will take credit cards but a lot of restaurants are small roadside establishments from someone grilling up chickens to food trucks or produce stands.

When you are having trouble finding restaurant availability, this may be your only option (yes, we were turned away from a restaurant without a lunch reservation — I think because they were expecting a tour group.)

Unlike countries like Iceland where virtually everyone took credit cards, I didn’t find quite the same in Martinique so I would make sure you have some cash on hand.

4. Learn Some French

Martinique is part of France. They speak French. Many of their visitors are from France. Until recently with new airline routes opening up, there wasn’t a huge need for locals to speak English outside of the cruise port area.

This can be true in restaurants, shops, and even hotel check-in. It really helps to either brush up on some French phrases (I love DuoLingo for language learning), download an offline French phrase book (I like Fodor’s Travel Phrases app), or keep your phone connected to data to use Google Translate.

Even reading the menus can be a challenge if you are not a French speaker. This got us in some trouble in Paris a few years back, so a menu translator app or Google Translate is key.

5. Watch your Speed When Driving

After my recommendation to rent a car, I need to add that you need to watch your speed. I was a very cautious driver on this trip, many times with locals flying past me when they got the chance.

And still, I woke to an email (in French of course) that notified me of a traffic violation. Apparently, at some point on our travels, I exceeded the speed limit, although it is hard to imagine where, and I was caught by a traffic camera.

Not only do I need to pay a fine to France, but I also had an additional fee to pay with my rental car company. This also happened to us in Iceland, so I think it is a smart but tricky way to generate more revenue for the local government. Driver beware!

Bonus Tip: Avoid the Beach at Dusk or Dark

One more tip is to avoid walking barefoot on the beach at sunset or after dark. There are little sand fleas that like to bite around that time of day. Otherwise, make sure to bring your sunscreen and bug spray, and have fun!

Those are my top tips for planning a Martinique vacation! I hope you don’t make the same mistakes I did (just don’t forget your ATM card and make sure to book a rental car in advance of arrival.)

PIN THIS FOR LATER

Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: November 26, 2022

6 thoughts on “5 Essential Tips for Planning a Martinique Vacation”

Enjoyed this report as we pulled the trigger on going to Martinique in January for a week. Also enjoyed your Quebec City report as we are planning a mid July week there as well.

I hope you have a great trip!

Hi there…ran across your site while researching Martinique for a week in January for my wife and I. Seems to be booking up fast. Any other suggestions on finding mid range accommodations south side of island other than majors like Booking.com/ T.A./Hotels.com? Best to stay with them? Thanks

Those are my go-to sources for finding hotels too. I would also check the Martinique Tourism website and look at VRBO or Airbnb if you are interested in a vacation rental instead of a hotel.

Thanks, good to know. i knew it is not a very friendly or easy island, your post just confirmed it. But anyway we have to spend day there and I will see reality myself in 2 weeks.

Good luck, I hope you enjoy it!

Comments are closed.

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What to do in Martinique? 10 days itinerary

What to do in Martinique ?

Visit Martinique in 10 days , it is possible! We suggest you to discover our itinerary to know what to do in Martinique during your trip in the Caribbean.

In order to pay off the plane ticket and the travel time, we advise you to plan at least 10 days to visit Martinique . All our tips and practical information (when to go, how to get around, budget) are at the end of the article – those in a hurry can click here .

Plane tickets are often very cheap, which makes Martinique a rather economical destination if you are looking for sun in the middle of winter! To compare flights, we always use Skyscanner because we get the best deals there.

Guadeloupe VS Martinique ?

Many of you have told us that you hesitate between Guadeloupe and Martinique. What are the differences between these two destinations ? We will not hide you that they are rather similar. The ideal is to do both once in your life to make your own idea ! For the beauty of the beaches, we prefer Martinique. There are many more beautiful beaches and lots of ilets ! For the rest, we choose Guadeloupe on the diversity of the landscapes and the cities which are better arranged / nicer to live in according to us.

? Discover our Guadeloupe Travel Guide

Martinique : the dangers

? As in any tropical destination, there are some species considered as dangerous, such as snakes, mygales, and so on. However, we did not see any in 10 days.

☀️ Protect yourself from the sun during your trip to Martinique , it is often our worst ally.

? BEWARE of the mancenilliers : they are very toxic trees, present on the Martinique coast. In contact with water, the sap of this tree becomes like acid and can burn you to the 3rd degree. Do not take shelter under a mancenilla tree during the rains. Do not eat its fruits (they look like green apples). Do not touch the leaves if you are sweating. Any contact between this tree and moisture is DANGEROUS. Generally, they are indicated by a large red line on the trunk (but not always). It was called by the settlers “the tree of death” and is listed in the book of records as the most dangerous tree in the world.

⚠️ It is not recommended to go out at night, late and alone, in Fort-de-France.

Organize your stay in Martinique

We hope that this itinerary has helped you in the organization of your trip. To finish this 10 day guide to Martinique , we give you all the practical information you need to know before you go.

Information to know before your trip to Martinique

When to go to martinique .

Historically, the island has two seasons:

• the dry season , from December to April
• the wet season , from June to November

According to the locals with whom we could exchange, the seasons have shifted since last year. They say that the dry season starts in February and ends in June. We left in December 2018 and experienced some rather heavy rains; but it was mostly sunny during this trip to Martinique. Carnival (in February) is, by all accounts, an unforgettable time! It is the most important festival there, so it is a very festive time in the villages.

How to get around in Martinique?

A car is essential to visit Martinique. You can compare prices and book the best car rental deals on Skyscanner.

10 days in Martinique : Budget

The budget below is according to our mode of travel in Martinique – that is to say an accommodation at Pierre & Vacances with kitchen which allowed us to avoid the meals outside (expensive in Martinique). We did not count the cost of the activities because it is specific to each one.

• Plane : 830€ for 2 ppl
• Accommodation : 1300€
• Car Rental : 300€
• Gasoline : 90€
• Food : 220€

Total = 2 750€, 1 375€ per person for 10 days in Martinique

? Visit Fort-de-France  

For the end of the day, you can visit the capital of Martinique Fort-de-France, its downtown and its market. Drink a cocktail and watch the sunset at the rooftop bar Le Cloud.

Day 10 : end of the itinerary “what to do in Martinique”

 anse grosse roche.

The specificity of this beach is its heart which is carved in the rock. Access from Cap Macré: 40 minutes walk round trip. There are not many people on this beach!

          Voir cette publication sur Instagram                       Une publication partagée par Village Créole Martinique (@villagecreole) le 24 Sept. 2020 à 2 :16 PDT

? Anse Michel

Our favorite beach, bordered by magnificent palm trees! The water is transparent and we have foot on several hundred meters.

We leave you the afternoon quiet, because it will be time to pack your bags and to recover from your emotions ❤️.

Day 9 (inside the Jungle)

Cascades de didier.

The Cascades de Didier are amazing! It’s a must-see in Martinique . To reach it, you will have to park at the level of the station  a little before the end of the road D45. Be careful, there is no signpost so do not take the wrong direction! The path to take is next to the “No Passing” sign, which you should ignore.

There are two waterfalls in Didier . The first one is 20 minutes away from the parking. Halfway there is a scary tunnel, where it is dark, with bats and snakes (thank God we do not see them):  lamp or phone essential! At the end of the tunnel, go up the river on the right. The second waterfall is even more beautiful but more difficult to access: there are passages in the water so equip your shoes accordingly. We could not go there because we had not foreseen the water level up to our knees. Be careful if it rained, it was very slippery.

⏰ About 2h30-3h round trip if you do the two waterfalls.

? The Garden of Balata

The Garden of Balata is represented by more than 3,000 species of plants. For the lovers of botany, it is thus the place dreamed! We confess that we expected better for the price, because the entrance is still 14€ per person. The view on the sea with the royal palms is still splendid. There is also a small tree walk in the style of accrobranche which is nice. The Jardin de Balata is open every day from 9am to 6pm. Between 45 minutes and two hours of visit (if you linger a lot on the plants).

Day 7 (North of the island)

The North of Martinique is known to be more authentic and wilder than its southern part. Many hiking trails are present. The vegetation is luxuriant because the climate is more humid.

? For the courageous and the sportsmen: sunrise at the top of the Pelee Mountain . It is the volcano, still active, in the north of Martinique.  The hike is 4 hours round trip, for 6 km with a positive difference in altitude of 700 m. It is advised to go there very early in the morning, because clouds often cling to the volcano. At the top, it is cold so bring a sweater! See the itinerary here .

?  For dolphin lovers : plan a boat trip to observe them. (On the condition that you do not do the mountain, otherwise it will be too tight in timing)

? In the afternoon, go and relax on the Anse Couleuvre : a beautiful black sand beach, very wild! If you see a palm tree lying on old photos, don’t expect to see it because it has been decapitated. The Couleuvre cove is nevertheless beautiful.

?  Couleuvre waterfall : the highest in Martinique. Keep your eyes open, mygales are often on the way! 1h30-2h round trip, 3 km.

          Voir cette publication sur Instagram                       Une publication partagée par Martin Fichez (@nautimages) le 11 Oct. 2020 à 11 :42 PDT

Day 8 : travel itinerary in Martinique

⛵️ Boat day of your choice: wonder, relaxation and aperitif are on the program!

We have tested two of them: more info on our article Top 5 activities in Martinique.

Catamaran day

Day 6 (South-West)

 hike to morne larcher (commune du diamant).

You will climb on the Morne Larcher, an ancient volcano whose summit is located at 478 meters of altitude. It is the famous relief that the Martiniqueans call the “femme couchée”. When you see it from far, a silhouette of a woman lying down can be distinguished; we frankly had difficulty to notice it.

The departure is made from the Anse Caffard – Rather rough hike: it climbs dry but the sight at the top is superb! To avoid by day of rain because that slips. To be done in the morning so as not to be too hot!

⏰ 4 km – 400 m of difference in altitude – 2 hours approximately.

          Voir cette publication sur Instagram                       Une publication partagée par ????? ???? (@wooooo.972) le 16 Déc. 2018 à 10 :25 PST

Visit of the Cap 110 Memorial 

The Cap 110 Memorial is also called Caffard Cove Memorial. It was created in honor of the victims of a terrible accident. A ship carrying Guinean slaves was wrecked. The whole story is indicated on the panels of the memorial, we invite you to read them.

?Sunset at Grande Anse du Diamant

The Grande Anse du Diamant is the perfect spot to watch the sunset! Park your car at the parking lot n°6. Nearby you will find the magnificent palm trees. ?

(c) Photographer – Marie Brion

• Go and admire the surfers’ beach: Anse Bonneville in Tartane. The ideal place to practice or learn surfing in Martinique

? On your way back to the South, visit and taste the rum of the distillery of the Habitation Clément  (in moderation for the drivers)!

Day 4 (South)

? Anse Dufour to swim with the turtles . Go in the morning so you do not have to swim with 25 people! You will have the turtles to yourself. Very important, swim with them yes but with respect. Do not try to touch them. Let them breathe if they want to. YOU are entering their natural habitat, so they must be allowed to live quietly. We went twice and saw turtles both times. It is an absolutely beautiful moment.

?  Anse Noire is located a few minutes walk from Anse Dufour. It is the only black sand beach in the south of Martinique . It seems that turtles come to lay their eggs on this beach, that is why they are numerous on this sector! So, you may have the chance to see them near this beach too. Between Anse Noire and Anse Dufour is located “ the Y point “. It is a spot to jump with crystal clear water! You can reach it by foot. 

? Go to Trois Ilets and Pointe du Bout . Many expatriates  live there. There are very nice beaches, stores and restaurants!

Natural swimming pool in Trois Ilets

Day 5 (South West : what to do in Martinique)

  day at anses d’arlet:.

• Visit of the small village
• Visit of the church with the nice view from the pontoon
• Pedal boat activity at the Grande Anse d’Arlet (more info on our article Top 5 activities in Martinique  LIEN )
• Drink/eat at Ti Sable restaurant
• Petite Anse d’Arlet
• Anse Chaudière

Day 3 (East)

  day at the presqu’ile de la caravelle.

• Hike the Grand Sentier de la Caravelle (8 km – 3h round trip). You will cross a beautiful mangrove, follow the Atlantic coastline. There are many passages through the forest. The Caravelle lighthouse is located on the way, on the highest peak of the peninsula. Do not miss: the bay of the treasure and its wild beaches ?.

Caravelle lighthouse

What to do in Martinique in 10 days ?

You will have many things to do in Martinique , we were not bored for a single second! We liked this destination for its beaches, its sea beds, its incredible vegetation and for its authenticity. The island has two coasts , offering very different landscapes. On the Caribbean side, there are small seaside towns, beautiful beaches protected by the coral reef, lagoons with translucent waters called “ white bottoms “… While the Atlantic side is more wild.

Between the north and the south, Martinique offers different aspects, that’s why you should absolutely go around the island. The distances are relatively small so it can be done without any problem! In this article, we propose you a detailed itinerary , day by day, to spend a trip in Martinique at its best.

To discover Martinique’s magnificent landscapes in a more free and unique way. Nothing beats hiring a boat !

Where to stay for your trip in Martinique?

We stayed for two weeks at the Pierre & Vacances village of Sainte-Luce , which is located in the south of Martinique . It was nice to be able to stay in one place during this trip, without having to unpack and repack every day. The village was a good place to stay to discover the island, since the distances to travel from the south to the north are reasonable. We stayed in a 2/3 person studio with a view of the sea, which amazed us every morning.

In addition to being well located, the Pierre & Vacances village of Sainte-Luce   is top! In terms of architecture, we find an authentic side. We also appreciated the numerous activities on the spot: animated evenings (special mention for the karaoke), sport courses, coffee games… Then the beach and the swimming pool were perfect for sunbathing.

Savings on the cost of the trip to Martinique

One of the great things about staying at Pierre & Vacances is the budget. The apartments are equipped with a kitchen, so we did not eat out much. Because yes, restaurants are rather expensive in Martinique! (See the part about the budget at the end of the article).

Reservation and prices: go here

The sun sets on Sainte-Luce…

10 Day Itinerary : what to do in Martinique ?

This itinerary in Martinique can also be done in 15 days, as we did, with a few half days of rest. It is also possible to adapt it to a week by speeding up the movement!

Day 1 (South-East)

• ? Short walk between Anse Moustique and Grande Anse des Salines: Park on the parking lot of Anse Moustique. The road to get there is a bit bumpy but largely doable, just avoid the holes! Anse Moustique is a beautiful and wild beach. The path to Grande Anse des Salines is superb (about 20 min walk). Small precision: you will pass in front of the Petite Anse des Salines (naturist beach).

Anse Moustique – Martinique

On the way…

Grande Anse des Salines – Martinique

• ? Lunch break in one of the restaurants of the Grande Anse des Salines. We chose Chez Suzette to taste the “ poulet boucané ” (typical Martinique meal). Cod acras and a planter are offered for each meal ordered. The prices are reasonable and the quantities are sufficient.
• Hike to the Savane des Pétrifications . These desert landscapes are unusual for an island as flowery as Martinique. The walk is 4 km long and lasts about 2 hours. Park at Anse à Prunes to start the hike. It will end at Anse Trabaud , but you can return to your car by a loop. Be sure to take water and sunscreen with you, there is no shade on this hike!

Une publication partagée par Oh Et Puis (@ohetpuis) le 21 Déc. 2018 à 10 :45 PST

• Sunset at the Grande Anse des Salines . Since you’re next door, go watch the sunset on this huge palm-fringed beach. It promises to be unique!

Day 2 (South-East of Martinique)

 day trip to ilet chevalier , a must-see in martinique..

Access : go to Cap Chevalier by car, park in front of “Taxi Cap” and wait for a shuttle boat . Do not hesitate to call the owner if the shuttle is not there, it is very likely that it is moored on the island waiting to bring back customers. The crossing is done in 3 minutes and costs only 4 euros round trip per person (or 2€ for children).

On the spot, a pontoon, a beautiful beach with crystal clear water and white bottoms , a snack bar – with planters of course – and a steep path to go around the island. The beauty of the place lends itself to swimming as soon as you arrive! Bring a picnic if you do not want to eat at the snack bar. If you do not want to go all the way around, we advise you to go to the other beach at the back of the island in 15 minutes. For that, go to the big rock which overhangs the beach and follow the path between shrubs and cactus. Once on the other side, it is deserted and there is an absolute calm, except when Aurélie discovers a crab a few centimeters away from her in the water!

Little corner of paradise at Ilet Chevalier

Further Reading...

What to do in Fuerteventura? Itinerary

Munduk – Bali : Waterfalls, Lakes and Nature

Chamonix in summer : what to do ?

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What to do in Ella in Sri Lanka ?

10 days in sri lanka : itinerary.

Article mis à jour le 11 July 2023 par Amoureux du Monde

World Wanderista

Magic happens when the adventure begins

Caribbean , Martinique , Travel Guide · July 10, 2022

Best things to do in Martinique, an epic one week road trip itinerary (incl map)

There are so many amazing things to do in Martinique , that an epic one week road trip on this Caribbean island must be added to your bucket list! Martinique is also known as Madinina, meaning flower island in the local Creole language. The island is home to a wide variety of exotic flowers, lush forests, waterfalls, paradise beaches, mountains and an active volcano.

There are countless places to explore. Therefore, renting a car is the perfect way to travel around the island and creating an itinerary to help planning your road trip will be very useful. Those who love exploring the island’s natural treasures and culture (read: rum), will surely love this travel guide!

WONDERING WHERE TO RELAX AND SWIM IN MARTINIQUE? DISCOVER THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN MARTINiQUE I EXPLORED MYSELF!

TABLE OF CONTENT

Savane des Pétrifications, Anse à Prunes, Plage de Grande Anse des Salines

Les anses d’arlet, le diamant, plantation trois rivières, cascade absalon, jardin de balata, le saut du gendarme, habitation saint etienne, anse michel, boucle du vauclin – trou cochon, habitation clément, anse couleuvre, cascade des rois, cascade ancien jardin botanique, cascade misorée, le tombolo de sainte-marie.

• Sainte-Luce, Anse Mar-ti

More things to do in Martinique

Book a hotel, learn more about the things to do in martinique, what to pack, watch my road trip adventures in martinique on youtube, pin this one week road trip itinerary with all the best things to do in martinique for later.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you).

Best things to do in Martinique, an epic one week road trip itinerary

Depending on the weather , one week might be either too short or just perfect to explore the most amazing things to do in Martinique! Especially the North of the island can be very cloudy and rainy, which is the reason why it is also more lush than the southside of Martinique. If the weather is too rainy, you won’t be able to do all the hikes, since a lot of waterfall hikes lead through rivers. These become too dangerous on rainy days. Because the water level rises and the current becomes too strong. So always check the weather before you decide to go hiking! Rainy season in Martinique is between June and November, but due to climate change also this is tending to change. I was there at the end of April and already experienced a lot of rain.

Also take into account there is no highway on the island. So driving from one place to another easily takes over 30 minutes to an hour. It is recommended to depart before 7 am to avoid traffic , especially if you are staying in the South of the island. People in Martinique start leaving for work really early, so you don’t want to be stuck in traffic and waste precious time!

So let this itinerary be your guide to experience the highlights of the Caribbean island of flowers and you will not regret it! Now let’s see what are the most amazing things to see and do in Martinique!

DAY 1 – A desert hike & the most beautiful beach of Martinique

Savane des pétrifications & anse à prunes.

After a first good night’s sleep, it is time for your first adventure; hiking to the Savane des Pétrifications ! Even though it will be an easy rather flat hike, make sure to pack at least 2 liters of water and a snack. Trust me, you will need it! Drive to the southernmost point of the island. The last part is very bumpy on a sandy, rocky road. So take it easy to not ruin your tires or car and park near the beach of Grand Terre under the trees.

Make sure to take everything you need like your water and food , apply sunscreen (and take it with you to reapply regularly), a towel , your camera, your phone to use the GPS/map and I also advise to wear swimwear under your clothes and sneakers or hiking boots .

Once you are ready it is time to head East! The first part you will walk below the trees. Right before you need to cross the bridge, make sure to take a look at the beach at your right called Anse à Prunes , which is one of the most beautiful beaches I encountered in Martinique! Keep this place in mind for the way back!

Before crossing the bridge, I had to take off my shoes, to wade through the water to be able to reach the bridge. The safest part was the right side of the rocks, since the left side seemed to want to suck my feet and legs into the sand. A lot of people seemed a bit worried at this part. Especially because you could not see the bottom of the water. Everyone was helping each other out.

From there on; no more shade! You will walk a dusty path along cacti, small mangrove trees and a fantastic rough rocky coastline formed by lava. I was grateful for the wind, because it gets smoking hot in the blistering sun! The hike takes about 2 to 3 hours, depending on how many photos you take along the way.

If you want, you can go for a swim at Anse à Prunes , but keep in mind it is a rather secluded beach. So do not venture too far off the coast, because no one is there to save you!

Plage de Grande Anse des Salines

I had lunch after the hike at Délices de la Mer , a nice fish restaurant with a big terrace overlooking Plage de Grande Anse des Salines , one of Martinique’s most beautiful beaches. After lunch you deserve some time off so you can enjoy laying under the palm trees and swim at this gorgeous beach! After all, you are also probably still a bit jetlagged as well!

DAY 2 – Sea turtles & a distillery

Anses d’arlet.

The second day of your Martinique road trip starts early to drive to les Anses d’Arlet . If you are early enough you are lucky to spot some sea turtles at Anse d’Arlet, but I have read that you will have most chance to see them at Anse Dufour and Anse Noire . So next time I will definitely check those small beaches out and take my snorkeling gear there!

I only explored the colorful fishing village of les Anses d’Arlet. Its adorable tiny church, Creole homes, sandy beach, and pontoon over the azure sea make a really picturesque setting. Also its beach has a very tranquil vibe and is ideal if you want to relax.

I also wanted to enjoy the beach of Le Diamant . But unfortunately when I was there, the beach was completely covered with sargassum. As a result of climate change, more and more sargassum is washing ashore in Martinique and it is becoming a threat to the sea turtles and us, due to the toxic fumes they produce. So hopefully, when you are there, the beach will be cleared! Because it is one of the most famous and beautiful beaches of Martinique! Another option is to hike to the viewpoint of Morne Larcher . You can start the hike near Villa Madinina on Route de l’Anse Caffard/D37. From the villa to the top is only 1.5 km, but you will have to conquer a height difference of 389 meters, so count at least one hour of hiking.

Plantation Trois Rivières

Another fun thing to do, which is an absolute must when you are in Martinique, is visiting a distillery ! Martinique is known for its superb rum, which is recognized all over the world. The majority of the rum produced on the island is Rhum Agricole, which is generated by distilling sugar cane juice. This rum has a stronger aroma. Approximately 100 kilograms of sugar cane must be processed in order to make 10 liters of rum!

In the south of Martinique you can visit Plantation Trois Rivières . It is one of the oldest distilleries of Martinique, founded in 1660. It is called Trois Rivières (meaning three rivers) because its sugar cane fields are bordered by three rivers. La Maison Trois Rivières is especially known for its old and rare vintage rums. The distillery is not active anymore, since the current production of its rum is done at the La Mauny distillery in Rivière Pilote. But you can still visit the old factory with a guide and do a rum tasting!

DAY 3 – Top things to do in Martinique: waterfalls & a botanical garden

Day three of this one week itinerary is full of jungle vibes! Today it is extremely important to make sure to wake up before sunrise so you can skip the early morning traffic lines! (unless you are staying somewhere in the north of Martinique) Why? Because you will need to drive through Fort-de-France to reach the north of Martinique and the locals are early birds. Traffic can already get pretty heavy near the capital around 6 am!

The first time driving the busy winding roads near Fort-de-France can be pretty intense. It goes up and down and there are a lot of exits. You really need to pay attention the whole time to make sure you are driving on the right lane and taking the correct exits, while cars are acting crazy around you (driving behavior in Martinique is also pretty insane at times).

But once you leave the chaos behind and you arrive in the more mountaneous area, it gets really fun! The vegetation becomes very lush and you will get those island vibes back immediately!

Cascade Absalon

First stop of the day is a hidden waterfall called Cascade Absalon , which is located near Jardin de Balata. After you passed the parking lot of the famous botanical garden, you need to take the road on your left and park your car on the side of the road, right after you crossed the bridge. Once I left the car, all I could hear were jungle sounds; the fast flowing river, rain drops of an earlier rain shower dripping on leaves, tropical bird sounds and who knows what other animals…

I knew next to the bridge there should be a stairs that leads to the river and the waterfall. Never did I expect to already spot the waterfall from the stairs! That was easy! It truly is a beautiful place and I loved to have it all to myself the entire time! Which is another reason why I always wake up early; you get to enjoy gems like this with their authentic vibes!

No one to disturb the nature sounds and peace. I could take photos and videos without disruption or annoying someone else. I could just sit there and take it all in as if it was only me and nature in this world. Sometimes that is just the best feeling! But I have to be honest; I was always checking for snakes or matoutous (Antilles pinktoe tarantulas). Because chances are you can encounter them in the jungle of Martinique!

Cascade du Saut du Gendarme

Then it depends on what time it is, what your next stop will be. Jardin de Balata opens at 9 am and I advise to be there at 8.30 am to make sure to get a parking spot. It is also best to purchase your ticket online in advance to avoid the long waiting line. If it is still quite early (before 7 am) you can choose to go to le Cascade du Saut du Gendarme first for a swim. This is a 20 min drive from Cascade Absalon.

Le Cascade du Saut du Gendarme is a famous waterfall in Martinique. It is an excellent place to cool yourself in the refreshing water of the waterfall and its pool. To reach the waterfall you need to hike down a stairs that will guide you deeper into the tropical forest. The waterfall is surrounded by hills covered with exotic plants and trees. You will feel as if you entered another world. I swear at a certain moment I thought a dinosaur would pop up!

Jardin de Balata

Jardin de Balata is probably the island’s most famous attraction. Which is why, like I mentioned earlier, I advise to be there early and to get tickets in advance . This is definitely a botanical garden of another level! You will find over 3000 species of tropical plants from all around the world, including hundreds types of palm trees! According to their website the route takes about 1.5 hours, but I walked around for about 2.5 hours taking photos and trying to spot hummingbirds!

Especially the treetop canopy walk is fun to do! But be careful when it has rained, then it becomes very slippery! Also keep in mind only two people at a time are allowed on the bridges for safety reasons and that everyone wants to take photos. The couple in front of me and the guys after me; we were all on the same level. Enjoying our time and taking photos, respecting each other and waiting until the other one was finished. But there was a lady behind the guys pushing and complaing as if she needed to catch a bus or something. So at a certain point, we just told her to move forward. Because we did not want to rush.

If you did not bring your own food, you can have lunch at the restaurant at the entrance of Jardin de Balata, called La Luciole . I loved the food there!

Habitation Saint Etienne

The next stop is another distillery; Habitation Saint Etienne . This was my absolute favorite distillery! When I arrived I met a guy working there, who gave me a map of the property and who kindly took his time to explain the layout of the property. I learned that the distillery was no longer active and that the domain did not only consist of the old factory, but that there was also a cacao plantation and a huge garden. This place was stunning! The old factory with its arched windows still looked so beautiful. The old barrels were thoughtfully placed in the window frames.

I loved walking around and it was the first time I actually saw cacao beans. Now I know where Belgian chocolate is made from! I do advise to spray a lot of insect repellent before visiting the cacao plantation though! It is situated next to a river and it was packed with mosquitoes! In the garden you can also find art installations and various Strangler Fig Trees! There is also a shop where you can buy rum, chocolate and other souvenirs.

DAY 4 – A paradise beach, a hike through the mangroves & a huge distillery

Anse michel.

Let’s start this new day of a fantastic week in Martinique with exploring one of Martiniques most beautiful beaches; Anse Michel . Wake up before sunrise and drive again to the southernmost point of the island, but instead of going all the way south to Plage des Salines, drive east direction Anse Michel / Cap Chevalier. Park the car at the big parking lot near the path leading to the beach (northeast of the parking lot). This will save you time.

The hike to the beach begins with a wooden boardwalk crossing a dark damp sand region densely packed with tiny small sand fiddler crabs racing around like mad, characterized by their one large claw and one normal. It was rather funny to see all of these small crabs crawling about and attempting to hide in the sand.

Once you arrive at the more densely forested part, there is a ridiculous amount of red crabs fleeing and hiding. Occasionally they froze, holding only one leaf over their heads, as if that way I couldn’t see them anymore. Which made me laugh so hard, because it nearly looked like human behavior! So the least you can say is that the trek to the beach was a lot of fun!

After passing the very impressive strangler fig tree you finally can take the stairs down to the beach. There the sight of a real paradise beach with large graceful palm trees, white sand, and a shimmering turquoise blue sea greets you immediately.

Sadly, I also saw a pile of sargassum that had been taken from the shore. So this horrible algae has impacted this beach as well. But don’t let it deter you from visiting Anse Michel! Because it is such a lovely sight to behold! And who knows, perhaps there won’t even be a sargassum issue when you are there! It is a great place to have all to yourself!

Boucle du Vauclin

After enjoying the early morning light it is time to continue. Drive to Le Vauclin and park your car near UCPA Le Vauclin . The hike Boucle du Vauclin officially starts at its parking lot. This hike is best done counterclockwise. The first part before arriving at Trou Cochon is more tough and longer in this direction. You will pass several beaches, a small fishing village, mangrove forests… There are several climbs and descents to be done before arriving at this magical mangrove situated in a bay with crystal clear turquoise water called Trou Cochon . Swimming here is pure bliss and the perfect reward after hiking in the hot temperatures! It was one of my favorite things to do in Martinique!

Remember that mangrove ecosystems are quite delicate, so please treat the area with care. Be quiet, pick up after yourself, and watch your step. I also recommend arriving early to beat the crowds! So you may experience the actual atmosphere of this area. From Trou Cochon back to the parking lot it only takes a flat hike of 2.8km.

But if you are not into hiking, you can start the hike from the other direction (clockwise) and park your car somewhere near the T-junction of Anse Simon and Petite Grenade, where the path to Trou Cochon starts and return the same way.

After the hike I drove to the center of Le Vauclin to have lunch at Chez Marie-Alice , a small family run restaurant with local food and extremely friendly owners.

Habitation Clément

In the afternoon you can visit the island’s most famous distillery; Habitation Clément . Habitation Clément is a 160-hectare agricultural estate nestled in the municipality of Le François. Visiting this place is quite an experience. Since the estate is quite big they introduced an app to help you guide around the domain.

Its landscaped garden decorated with contemporary sculptures is the first thing you explore. After that you will discover the old distillery , now serving as a rum interpretation center to show how rum is produced, and the 18th century Creole mansion , which is absolutely beautiful! Although rum is no longer distilled at this site, it still goes through the ageing phase here. The sight of hundreds of barrels stacked on top of each other is pretty impressive. I wish I could share the scent with you as well! So good! There is also a modern art center you can visit with art pieces of local artists. All of this is surrounded by massive sugar cane fields.

DAY 5 – More amazing things to do in Martinique: hidden waterfalls

Those who followed my Martinique adventures via Instagram , know that I was very unfortunate with the weather. Resulting in me not being able all the waterfall hikes I had planned to do. Still I want to mention some of them in this blog post.

Anse Couleuvre

The most famous waterfall of Martinique is probably Anse Couleuvre all the way in the north of Martinique. You guessed it; you need to wake up really early to get here, since it is quite a long drive to get here and it is a very popular hike. So if you want to beat both traffic and the crowds; leave at 5.00 am when staying in the south! The last part of the road to the parking lot is quite steep and winding so be careful driving here! The hike of about 4 km is quite easy and takes about 2 hours, round trip. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes. At the end of the hike you will encounter the 120 m high waterfall.

The next two other waterfalls are hidden gems and unoffical hikes . I do not recommend doing them on your own , since this can be quite dangerous. (I was not planning doing them on my own either, contacting locals to join me) Hiking in Martinique is quite different from hiking in, let’s say, Europe. This is raw jungle and there are certain species you have to take into account like venomous snakes. Also the hikes to these waterfalls lead through rivers and often it is not always easy to climb over rocks by yourself, especially when you are not used to it.

Cascade des Rois

The first one is Cascade des Rois . This hike starts near the Depaz distillery, where you need to park the car on the side of the road at a bridge (location pinned on map). Next to the bridge should be the start of the path. Once you reached the river, you need to follow it upstream. Once you reach the intersection of two rivers, you will see a bridge at your left side. Do not walk below the bridge, but follow the river to the right. A little bit further you will find the waterfall! Count 2 hours round trip.

Cascade Ancien Jardin Botanique

Another gorgeous off the beaten track waterfall is the Cascade Ancien Jardin Botanique . It is perfectly combinable with the previous one, since it is not that far from each other. I also pinned the starting point on the map above. Also this time you need to park near a bridge. Then take the maintained path that runs along the river. This trail takes you to cultivated land. At the end of the path, you must cross the Rivière du Jardin des Plantes, to walk along the other side of the bank.

After a while you will have to continue in the bed of the river. When you arrive at an intersection with a large wall of vegetation and coconut tree trunk, you need to turn left of this wall to follow the Fond Sablon ravine. This part is pretty wild and you wil have to climb over rocks. After a few minutes you will finally see the waterfall in the distance!

DAY 6 – Exploring a volcano & waterfall & a mysterious sand tongue

Cascade misorée.

Another unofficlal hike leads to Cascade Misorée . But it is getting more popular by the day. This waterfall is situated on Montagne Pelée, Martinique’s active volcano. To start this hike you need to park the car on the parking lot near Restaurant Le Refuge De L’aileron. After parking go down the road for about ten meters and go around the construction on your left to find the beginning of the trail (it is actually the path used to reach the water capture of Morne Rouge). Follow the trail and cross the wooden bridges.

You will bump into a large wooden ladder leading to a small dry ravine. Descend this ravine wit the help of a rope. After about 30 minutes you will reach a river on your left. Then continue for another half hour until your reach another river on your left. This one is the Falaise river. You need to follow it upstream for about 10 minutes until you reach the picturesque waterfall.

There are a lot of other official hiking trails at Montagne Pelée if you would like to combine this hike with another one.

Le Tombolo de Sainte-Marie

One of the island’s most magical and mysterious places that you absolutely need to add to your road trip itinerary is Îlet Sainte-Marie. Or better said; when the island turns into Le Tombolo de Sainte-Marie from January to May, when a thin sandbar rises from the sea, linking the island to Martinique’s mainland. According to folklore Manman Dlo , a Creole version a mermaid, is believed to visit this location often. The legend’s aim is to warn you to cross with caution. During the early and late tombolo periods, the currents can be severe and the footing can be like quicksand. Next time I definitely want to visit here! Kalash, a rapper from Martinique even wrote a song about it! Check the music video here with images of the tombolo!

DAY 7 – A last relaxing day of your one week Martinique road trip

Sainte-luce , anse mar-ti.

After a whole week of road tripping and exploring all the best things to do in Martinique, you deserve some relaxing! The second part of my trip I stayed near Sainte-Luce in a hotel that was situated along the path that leads from Sainte Luce to Trois Rivières, linking several smaller beaches. So I enjoyed a nice coastal walk from the hotel to the center of Sainte-Luce . Sainte-Luce is a small town with not that much to see, but I loved the street by the sea with all the fish restaurants called Boulevard Kennedy. It was the perfect place to have lunch.

There was also a nice tranquil beach called Anse Mar-Ti. I loved the relaxed vibe and there are a few small restaurants and bars along its shore, where you can relax under the palm trees. There is also a cute swing I could not resist of course!

• Black sand beaches in the north like Anse Couleuvre, Anse Lévrier and Anse Ceron
• Presqu’île de la Caravelle : nature reserve of more than 400 hectares containing everything Martinique has to offer like banana plantations, dry forest, tropical forest, mangroves, cliffs and sheltered beaches
• Distillery Depaz : from March to June, you can watch the machines in operation and see rum being made
• Fort-de-France : the island’s capital
• Les Gorges de la Falaise : a guided hike to a waterfall which requires climbing, sliding and jumping. A waterproof camera or a GoPro are more than recommended!
• Banana Museum : a museum where you will learn everything about the banana! Because it does not only get eaten, it also produces alcohol, medicines, paper, rope, string, various handicrafts, umbrellas, organic plates, soap and glue!
• Guided Panoramic Shore-Excursion Tour ; you will visit a traditional distillery, explore the historical ruins of Saint Pierre; the Pompeii of the Caribbean and see the famous imitation Church of Balata.

Plan your Martinique road trip

I booked a car via Sunny Cars to explore the island’s meandering roads and lush jungle, since they are really transparent and affordable. Everything you need is already included in the price, including third-party insurance worth at least €7.5 million, damage insurance, theft insurance, damage to glass, tires, floor, or roof, as well as towing and vandalism. There is also unlimited miles included. There will be no more haggling at the counter about additional insurances because everything has already been settled. Unlike many other rental vehicle businesses, which frequently try to charge you extra fees.

I advise to rent a small car, since the roads can be narrow with a lot of turns. Also parking alongside the road will be a lot easier with a smaller car. I drove a manual because I am already used to drive in the mountains, but if you are not comfortable driving steep roads, take an automatic.

I stayed in two hotels. The first one I absolutely loved; Le Panoramic is situated in Les Trois-Îlets near the beach of Anse à l’Ane. The rooms are studios with a seating area, a bathroom, kitchen and terrace. There is a nice swimming pool and they offer breakfast, which you can eat in your room. The room gets cleaned every other day. The hotel is situated on top of a hill offering great views and is only 300 m away from the town center, where you can find a small supermarket to get food, in case you want to cook dinner yourself, and the beach. In town there are also a few restaurants. The staff working here was extremely friendly and helpful.

The second hotel I stayed at was Village Pierre & Vacances Sainte Luce . Which was less my cup of tea, but when I booked this trip, it was one of the few affordable hotels left that was still available (traveling solo is more expensive). It is the perfect place for families since it is a big resort including giant swimming pool, animation team and restaurants on site etc (you get the picture).

The room was spacious and I loved the outside kitchen! But I really disliked that cleaning was not included and linnen not changed if you are not staying a minimum of 7 nights. I even needed to take my own trash out. Luckily I travel solo, so I had a lot of towels. I can’t imagine staying here with kids entering the room after a day at the beach, all sandy… knowing that the room will never get cleaned. The area was nice though! Close to Sainte-Luce and the supermarket was a short beach walk away.

Find more amazing hotels in Martinique to plan your road trip here !

• Your Ultimate Guide to Martinique
• Martinique: Discover the gorgeous Caribbean “Flower island” with a French touch!

I always made sure to bring this with me in the car or in my backpack:

• comfortable shoes

So that is it!   I hope you enjoyed this “Best things to do in Martinique, an epic one week road trip itinerary” blog post and that it will help to plan your own trip! I really tried to cover everything you need to know.   Do not hesitate to leave your comments or questions down below! That way I can add more information if necessary! If you want to help me a little please share this post on Facebook, Twitter or any kind of social media. A small thing for you to do that can make a big difference for me! Massive thanks! If you like the pictures in this article, I suggest to follow  my Instagram account  where you can find a lot more.

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Martinique   Travel Guide

9 Best Things To Do in Martinique

Updated Feb. 12, 2021

Breathtaking natural beauty is Martinique's claim to fame, but no coast offers quite the same scenery. The north is both rugged and lush, with the majestic Mont Pelée volcano commanding the view. Southern Martinique is calmer, romantic and

• All Things To Do

Anse Cafard Slave Memorial Anse Cafard Slave Memorial free

High on a hill in southwest Martinique are 20 white stone effigies, silently facing Diamond Beach and the Caribbean Sea. They commemorate an 1830 catastrophe when a slave ship failed to properly anchor in Anse Cafard and careened into Martinique's Diamond Rock Mountain, killing many of the passengers and sailors as well as the slaves who were chained to the cargo hold. The chilling statues at this memorial are a popular stop and photo op for many, and although the monument has suffered some wear and tear, you too won't be disappointed with the overall effect. 

Recent visitors say the simple memorial is quite sobering, with one calling it simultaneously "humbling and beautiful." Others appreciated that there are signs posted in both French and Enlish at the site that explain the significance of the memorial.

Schoelcher Library Schoelcher Library free

Schoelcher Library in Fort-de-France should hold a spot on your travel itinerary for its history and ornate design, not for its books. The building was originally designed and built for an 1889 exposition in Paris before it was shipped to Martinique and reassembled along the west side of La Savane . It was named in honor of slavery abolitionist Victor Schoelcher.

Recent visitors said it's definitely worth a quick stop in to explore and learn about the history; others point out that the free Wi-Fi is an enticing reason to visit, as well.

Les Salines Les Salines free

Families can't stay away from Les Salines beach in the village of Ste-Anne for several reasons. One, the clear waters here are calm enough for children to play freely. Two, there are plenty of food vendors walking the sand hawking tasty Martiniquais treats. Three, there are restrooms and accessible showers to rinse your little ones off before making the trip back to the hotel. Four, Les Salines is absolutely breathtaking, with miles of palm trees and glistening sand. If you want to witness all Les Salines has to offer without the little kiddies around, visit the beach during the week or later in the afternoon when the crowds have mostly gone home.

Recent visitors also recommended indulging in the coco ice cream that is sold on the beach. Keep in mind that because the beach gets very crowded on the weekends and parking is at a premium, you should plan an early visit. You can also take a cab (prices fluctate); the closest town to Les Salines is Ste-Anne, about 1.5 miles away from the shore.

Popular Tours

Discovery day at La Baignoire de Joséphine

(211 reviews)

from $ 93.30

Day trip at sea to Fonds Blancs Martinique

(13 reviews)

Sea excursion in the bays of Robert and Francois.

(21 reviews)

from $ 82.32

Habitation Clément Habitation Clément

Habitation Clément is part rum distillery, part plantation, part heritage site and museum, meaning it will likely appeal to families and groups of all ages. Travelers can explore the gardens, the main house and its outbuildings and learn about the manufacturing of rum, which is aged six to 10 years in the distillery.

Visitors point out that if you're driving, your group will want to select a designated driver or take a cab, as you're allowed to sample different rums and rum-based liqueurs in the tasting room. There is also a rum shop on the grounds where visitors are welcome to browse and take home bottles of their favorite flavors. Meanwhile, families will enjoy wandering the grounds and looking at the numerous sculptures that are placed throughout.

Mont Pelee Mont Pelee

Adventurous travelers like to scale the sides of this active volcano, but there are other, safer (and dare we say smarter?) options for enjoying the area. One of the most popular options involves driving to a parking lot, located about a mile away from the summit, and then making the rest of the trip on foot. Be prepared for an astounding view at the top and beautiful scenery along the way; recent visitors recommended bringing food and water with you, and advised going on a clear day for the best views.

You could also spend the day at Mont Pelée's picturesque base, where previous travelers have enjoyed canyoning, hiking and rappelling through the area waterfalls and forests.

Diamond Beach Diamond Beach free

Diamond Beach, located in the town of Le Diamant, is rarely crowded, but always beautiful. Travelers in the know choose this southwestern beach over the touristy sands of Pointe du Bout, and you should too if you prefer more peace and quiet while you sunbathe. This part of the island is rather undeveloped, so you'd probably rather visit than lodge here. Instead, consider planning a trip to Diamond Beach on the same day you stop by the Anse Cafard Slave Memorial . While you're there, be sure to take pictures of Diamond Rock in the distance.

Recent visitors cautioned that the surf here can be a bit rough, and many recommended not swimming at this beach.

La Savane Park (La Savane des Esclaves) La Savane Park (La Savane des Esclaves) free

You should brush up on your French before visiting Fort-de-France's beautiful La Savane park ( La Savane des Esclaves ), then put your vocabulary to use when bargaining with the Martiniquais vendors selling snacks, crafts and souvenirs. Take a stroll of the grounds before you leave, and be sure to snap a photo of the headless (and red-stained) marble statue of Empress Josephine, a Martinique native and the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. Rumor has it that locals vandalized the statue out of resentment; they believe Josephine persuaded Bonaparte to continue the practice of slavery on the island.

La Savane des Esclaves is open daily from 9 a.m. to noon and from 2 p.m. to 5:30, except Sundays when the center closes for the afternoon.  Guided one-hour tours (in French, only) are available, as well, and cost 7 euros for adults (about $8) and 3 euros (about $3) for children ages 3 to 12.

Balata Gardens (Le Jardin de Balata) Balata Gardens (Le Jardin de Balata)

Visit one of Martinique's most famous sites, the Balata Gardens, to see why this is "the Isle of Flowers." This private botanical garden just outside Fort-de-France is home to a staggering number of begonias, bromeliads, bamboo and about 300 different types of palm trees. There's a small admission fee to enter, and according to some recent visitors, it isn't worth it unless you're really into plants. Instead, you might want to take some tropical flowers home with you. You can arrange to have your flowers delivered to the airport, or visit the Balata Gardens' satellite shop in the terminal of the Martinique airport. They'll arrange special packaging to facilitate bringing your flowers on the plane.

Balata Gardens is a short drive from Fort-de-France and is accesible via car (parking is free), taxi or bus; the L25 bus takes passengers from downtown Fort-de-France to the entrance of the gardens. The gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance for adults costs 13.10 euros (about $14) and 7.50 euros (around $8) for children between the ages of 3 and 12. For more information, check out the Balata Gardens website (in French).

Côte au vent Discover La Baignoire de Joséphine: Boat Trip

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from $ 60.37

Half-Day Nature and Panorama Tour in Martinique

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from $ 108.66

Sailing Discovery Day Tour in Martinique

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from $ 148.33

St. Louis Cathedral St. Louis Cathedral free

St. Louis Cathedral should really be called St. Louis VII, because it's been rebuilt six times on the same spot in Fort-de-France. Its resiliency – or lack thereof – could partially be due to its structure. Previous iterations have used wood; now, St. Louie has an iron framework. Take time during your visit to admire the unusual architecture, visit the graves of the Martinique governors buried on the grounds and say a little prayer that this version of the church stays standing. 

Recent visitors said the architecture, stained-glass windows and history are worth taking  the short walk from the cruise port in Fort-de-France to the cathedral.

Explore More of Martinique

Best hotels.

When To Visit

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Martinique (France) Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in Martinique. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Dengue in the Americas April 18, 2024 Dengue is a risk in many parts of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease. Travelers to the Americas can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Destination List: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands, French Guiana (France), Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique (France), Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Turks and Caicos Islands (U.K.), Uruguay

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Martinique.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Martinique.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Martinique is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for travelers ≥1 year old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. 1

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites, african tick-bite fever.

• Avoid Bug Bites

African Tick-bite fever

• Mosquito bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Martinique, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Martinique. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Martinique include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Martinique. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Martinique’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Martinique may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Martinique, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Martinique (France) for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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Meet the Woman Who Created The New Green Book for Black Travelers

• Posted by by Claire O'Brien
• October 13, 2020
• 8 minute read

Wanderful is publishing this story in partnership with REP CO, a brand new storytelling collaborative that covers issues of racial and social justice and is powered by volunteer media professionals. To read their other stories or to find out how to join them, visit  representcollaborative.com .

African American travelers spent $63 billion on leisure travel in 2018 , up from $48 billion in 2010.

But, thumb through a typical travel magazine and you’ll find content largely limited to aspirational images of young white men and women, with straight teeth and eviable muscle tone, pondering mountain sunsets, gliding kayaks through tropical waters, or modeling wrinkle-free travel pants.

Newsstand, online, in-flight, even social media influencer-created—it doesn’t seem to matter—the content is the same, largely created for a very narrow definition of white business, leisure, or family travelers.

But conventional travel content creators, be warned. Serial entrepreneur Martinique Lewis is coming for your bland millennial travel clichés.

As a sought-after travel consultant, President of the Black Travel Alliance, and published travel guidebook author, Martinique Lewis challenges brands on their comfy position within the stale status quo.

She also educates potential allies on recognizing their privilege and how they can become better partners, all while traveling 270 days out of every year.

And just when I’m thinking she’s all business, Martinique informs me that she never misses Trinidad’s annual Carnival, but admits with a laugh, “My itinerary is packed. So it’s not really a resting holiday.”

I caught up with Martinique this month from London to discuss who’s getting straight A’s on her annual travel industry diversity report card, what travelers of color actually want to read, and why, after nine different product launches, this time she’s all in on her ABC (All Black Content) Travel Greenbook.

Martinique Lewis was recently awarded the Trailblazer Award at the 2020 Bessie Awards, the travel industry awards presented by Wanderful

Q: So obviously, Black and other persons of color travel. Why do you think the disconnect in travel media representation continues to exist?

Martinique: I think brands don’t want to market to Black and Brown people, as if our travel dollars don’t matter, as if we don’t spend the same amount, even though we do.

They’re afraid they’ll rock the boat if they show a Black kid, or a white male who’s in a wheelchair, or a plus-size Indian blogger.

They think that they’re going to lose customers because they’re showing diversity.

But then you have to ask the question, do you want that type of customer coming to your place anyways? Someone who doesn’t celebrate diversity?

Also, brands may think, “Well, if I know my target market is 70% white families, why am I going to show a Black or Filipino family?” My response is, so you can tap into markets that you normally have not tapped into.

Q. How else are the traditional platforms, like mainstream magazines and larger brands, failing the BIPOC travel community?

Martinique: They don’t include safety information ever. As Black travelers, we always look up if any racism has happened there lately.

Also, when I travel, I always try to find the minority communities. It doesn’t matter if they’re Black, brown, or orange, I always try to seek them out ahead of time so that I can find the neighborhoods when I’m there.

These aren’t places that you’re going to find in regular travel blogs, but those are the restaurants that I want to eat at, those are the events I want to go to.

Those are my two biggest things: Am I going to be safe, and where are the people who look like me?

Q. Are there any travel brands that are doing diversity and inclusion right?

Martinique: Absolutely. Before COVID hit, Norwegian Airlines was always my go-to brand. They have a North American communications manager named Anders Lindström, who is so serious about the Black and Asian travelers, making sure that they were reflected and felt wanted by Norwegian Airlines. He has always gone above and beyond in campaigns. He has always showed up to any of our events. He has always given money. He has always given tickets, and he has really helped put on a lot of Black and Asian content creators who would have normally been ignored by other airlines. He made sure to market to these communities and give them a chance to create great relationships with a major airline.

Also, every year, I release a Diversity in Travel Report Card . And that does really well within the industry. Many people share that, then people come to my website.

Then they reach out to ask, “Listen, we want to be able to do that. How much would it cost?” or “Can you come help diversify our marketing scheme?” The Diversity in Travel Report Card has gotten so much press and people caring. The first year, it didn’t do as well, but this year they were waiting on it.

Q. Travel wasn’t your first career. Can you describe your entrepreneurial journey?

Martinique: I went to school for fashion and was in the industry for six or seven years. I switched over to travel recently but if it wasn’t for that degree, I would have never been exposed to international business.

I studied abroad my senior year at the London College of Fashion. That’s when I really got exposed to doing things on an international level.

I remember thinking, “Wow, the world is so different, but yet there’s so many things that bring us together by common interests.”

Ever since then, my love for London has fueled my travel passion, period. Once I got here I could travel to so many places for cheap. I started to really understand the world outside of North America, South America and the Caribbean.

After I graduated from North Carolina A&T, I went to The Savannah College of Art and Design, where I got a MFA in luxury and fashion management. Then I was a professor for a year and a half. After that, I went into fashion marketing and social media influencer management.

Then, I had my own clothing line for a while, where I made customized kids clothes for NFL players and basically anybody who played professional sports.

It’s so funny—with the Greenbook, this is the ninth thing in my life people have seen me release. They’re like, “Ah, this is the one!” They’ve bought cutoff shorts from me. They have bought children’s clothes from me. They’ve bought Snapchat filters from me. They have done online branding classes with me and now, they have the ABC Travel Greenbook with me.

They have seen me launch a million products and have a million different brands, but this is the one that I am most passionate about.

The other projects were forced—it was me trying to figure out how to make money, but it wasn’t driven by a passion of mine. Fashion is my skill, but travel is really my passion, and that was the difference right there. This is the industry that I see myself being in for the rest of my life.

Also, I’ve always been as entrepreneurial as I can be. I’ve positioned myself in this space to be the diversity in travel expert, and that is what I’m known for.

I made the lane, so really, I’m one of one as of right now.

Almost everybody comes to me, which is great because now I’m able to delegate out to my colleagues, because I can’t take everything at once. It feels good for somebody to pay you to come and speak, because it is your knowledge, and if they had the knowledge themselves, then they wouldn’t need you.

Q. Now that it’s published, what’s been the response to the ABC Travel Greenbook?

Martinique: I was very hard on myself in the beginning, but then I had to remind myself that this book will be published far beyond when I die.

This is just volume one. It comes out every year. There’ll be the next volume, then the next volume, then the next volume. Just like Victor Hugo Green. He ran his book [The Negro Motorist Green Book] for 30 years.

And with the open and closing of businesses, and then just finding more Black-owned businesses, it will continue to expand and expand. And honestly, it’s doing amazing and I couldn’t be more grateful.

So many people are showing me love, so many people who I don’t know, have just tapped in and said, thank you for creating such a resource.

Q. What’s your advice to young Black women who are preparing for their first international trip (besides to buy your book?)

Martinique: My top three things are to definitely register with the Department of State that you’re leaving, send somebody your itinerary, and connect with other people before you go.

Go to Facebook and see if there is a Facebook group that’s specifically for Black people in this area, and see who you can connect with when you get there.

Or search Facebook groups to see what advice they have. Type your destination into the search and if anybody has made a post about it, it will come up. It’s such great information.

Q. What does success look like for you?

Martinique: Success looks like different things for me in different stages of my life.

But over the next three to five years, success will look like a publishing deal for The Greenbook, some type of TV show that shows Black communities worldwide, and not being hired on a consulting basis, but having an actual position at a company because somebody heard me speak or took my actual training.

And when I say, “You need to have somebody dedicated to diversity inclusion,” they do. Black Travel Alliance, the organization that I’m the President of currently, is really holding the industry accountable . Ultimately, I want diversity and inclusion at the top of mind because of something that I did.

Q. How can the larger travel community, not necessarily brands, but ordinary people, be better allies in support of diversity in travel?

Martinique : They can tell the stories that get left out. It’s not just the Black community. When it comes to diversity and inclusion, there are so many people left out, but who also have great platforms that can be shared to educate your followers.

And not only travel influencers , if you’re anybody who has any type of influence or following, especially allies who are in the journalist space, you can share these stories.

It’s really about making the decision that you’re going to do things outside of the norm of what you’ve been doing for the past 10 years.

So help spread awareness, and be willing to lose family members, friends, and even opportunities because you are willing to stand up for what’s right even though it might not be what’s popular.

And, have conversations.

It’s okay to ask questions, even though you might not know the right thing to say. We’re not going to get mad because you didn’t know the right thing to say. We might get mad because you didn’t say anything, but have the conversations. Check in with us. Ask us how we’re doing. Ask us how you can help.

Q. What can we expect next from Martinique Lewis?

Martinique: I would love to have a TV show where I show you different Black communities worldwide—places that you would never think Black people were.

I want to take you to Ecuador, and show you the Esmeraldas that are in the northern part of Ecuador, even though you only knew about Quito.

I would love to take you to Roatán, Honduras and show you the Garifuna community there.

I would love to take you to Amsterdam and show you the Surinamese community there, or Yemen and show you the Afro-Yemen community there, and I can see doing that in the form of a show.

But I would also love to get a publishing deal [for the ABC Travel Greenbook] in the next year. By the end of this year, I’d love to be on Barack Obama’s Book List and be featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things List.

But in terms of me and what I’m doing, I will continue to be that diversity in travel consultant. I will continue to share Black stories, and that’s what people can expect from me. Nothing short of greatness, for sure.

To connect with Martinique Lewis, visit her online at MartySanDiego.com or follow her on Instagram @marty_sandiego

Action Steps

If you choose to travel in 2021, Martinique wants you to support Black-owned businesses while you’re abroad. Get started by purchasing her guide, The ABC Travel Greenbook, at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com .

Looking for travel inspiration? Wanderful is a global community for travel-loving women. Connect with us !

Claire O'Brien

Like all the best journeys, Claire’s career took a few turns before ending up in a most unexpected (but delightful) destination. After 15 years working as a forensic expert, which took her to Sydney, London, Bosnia, and finally Washington, DC., Claire began travel writing. Soon, she was heading up the copywriting team at a major corporate travel brand. When not crafting headlines for her copywriting clients, she contributes freelance content to Go Abroad, Matador Network, Wanderful, RepCo, femLENS and more.

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Best travel guide book for Guadeloupe (and Martinique) - Guadeloupe Forum

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Best travel guide book for Guadeloupe (and Martinique)

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I'll be traveling to Guadeloupe and Martinique on my own (for the very first time on my own, yikes!) in November. I'm trying to find a good guide book on both islands. Guadeloupe has more topics than Martinique so that's why I'm posting in this forum.

I've found the Lonely Planet "Discover Caribbean Islands" (released in 2014) and the newest normal Caribbean Islands (released in 2017). Both offer some information on both islands but not as much as I'd like. Does anyone have any tips about good guide books on either or both Guadeloupe and Martinique?

Many thanks guys!

It's hard to find one that reviews both well. In fact, it's hard to find one that reviews ONE well. The books (like Fodors and Frommers) that review the whole Caribbean don't do justice to Guadeloupe and Martinique - they usually have just a few pages. The last one I am aware of that reviewed both islands in depth is now pretty old (and I don't think it's very good): https://www.amazon.com/Martinique-Guadeloupe-Dominica-Lucia-Guides-ebook/dp/B001OW5ZKI/

For Guadeloupe (and especially for first-time visitors to the island) I highly recommend this: http://guadeloupeguide.com/guadeloupe-guidebook/

It was very recently published and is very up to date. The first English-language tour guide on Guadeloupe in a LONG time.

Thanks so much radio71! I've got both lonely planets here so I'm just going to see which one has the best info and return the other one. I had some hope left that there'd be a guide that I had overlooked but apparently not.

I'll check out the link to the Gwada guide you gave me thanks!

Phoenixx - if you happen to speak French, the Routard guide is excellent.

I'm afraid not, I'm learning French through the duolingo app as I've understood that not many people speak English on these islands. Which is fair enough and I had French in high school so I'm happy to see that some of it did stick 11 years down the line, hahaha. I also saw two French lonely planets on the separate islands but sadly my French is no where near good enough to be able to understand the guides.

I've had a million questions while considering going to Guadeloupe and have also had trouble finding specific answers online. It's so time-consuming to weed through all the inflated reviews, wrong turns, etc. Many here were very helpful but I found a person who I've stalked, uh, I mean followed around virtually to ask questions and she has helped so much I cannot tell you!

There are so many unknowns and/or conflicting information-where to stay, the driving aspect, the language barrier, etc. but was able to get details from her and am downloading her e-book ($15) as we speak. As soon as I figure out how to! (Not familiar with Payhip).

I don't think she would mind me telling you, her name is Mirva and she is a travel writer who lives there, and speaks fluent English. In these forums she goes under guadeloupeguide. On her blog or website (correct term?) she has great up to date articles. The guide sounds like something very useful now rather than only when there.

Have a great time!

Hi Peter, thanks for your reply! Is this the Gwadaguide (or something like that)? I plan on downloading that one too!

The lonely planet Caribbean Islands is on the way right now so I've at least got something though there isn't nearly as much information in there as I'd like (or expect) but oh well. At least I can say I'll have been there before it becomes a massive touristy place!

I keep on checking back in these forums to see if anything useful has come up and when it does I put it in a word document so I've got everything together for when I need it. I'm not going there until November so safe to say I've got all the time in the world to figure everything out.

Hello Phoenix, If you plan to go to Basse-Terre in Deshaies, Pointe-Noire and Sainte-Rose, then there is a new very comprehensive English travel book written that you can get at www.jambopress.com. I am impressed with it and will be going back there in late November.

Thanks! I'll be having a look at that one :)

Buyer beware. Based on the TripAdvisor reviews here, I paid $15 online for the "Quick Gwada Guide" at guadeloupeguide.com. They automatically emailed me a link to download the guide, but it won't download (I keep getting an error message). I've tried downloading the guide several times on different computers but I keep getting the same error message. I've emailed the seller ([email protected]) several times over the last four weeks (hoping they can just email me a PDF version of their guide), but no response from them. Frustrating.

Sorry to hear you had problems with the download and so sorry for the delay in responding to you, Yorimoto! I checked my emails and yours had gone into the Spam folder, ugh. :( The PDF guidebook has now been sent to you. Sorry again!

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Getting to Martinique from Your City

Where are you coming from?

Measuring 80 kilometers long from north to south and 39 kilometers wide at the widest point, it boasts a spectacular variety of natural scenery that is absolutely every traveler’s dream.

Getting to Martinique is very simple by air from Europe, Canada, the US and the Caribbean. It is also possible to come by sea to Martinique from other Caribbean islands.

Arriving from Mainland France

Travelers arriving from mainland France are only required to present a national identity card.  

However, if your flight requires you to transit through another country, you will need to have a valid passport.

Arriving from the Rest of the World

Outside of France and the Overseas Territories, Martinique’s entry requirements for visitors arriving for a short-term stay (not exceeding three months) are as follows:

• Residents of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), Andorra, Monaco and Switzerland require an identity card.
• Martinique is not part of the Schengen area, therefore holders of a Schengen visa must obtain the DOM Visa Extension for overseas departments.
• US and Canadian citizens can enter Martinique without a visa, for stays of up to three months, as long as they have a valid passport.
• For our dear neighbors from Saint Lucia and Dominica, a visa is required for those wishing to stay in Martinique for more than 15 days.
• For all arrivals from the following destinations, a valid passport is sufficient: Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, South Korea, Singapore, Uruguay, United States, Vatican City, Venezuela.

If your country of departure is not on this list, you will require a visa to enter Martinique. 

Another important thing to know: You must be in possession of a return ticket upon arrival and be able to show proof of this at the airport.  

COVID rules

The rules previously applying to travelers to France no longer apply as of August 1, 2022. You therefore have no COVID-19 related formalities to worry about.

Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations for entering Martinique. However, several are recommended:

• Hepatitis A: One injection two weeks before departure, from the age of one for children.
• Yellow fever: This may be required for travelers arriving from countries where the disease is present (i.e. South America – Guyana, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru – and Sub-Saharan Africa). Yellow fever vaccination is not mandatory for travelers arriving from Europe or the United States.

Aquatic Activities in Martinique

Marine biodiversity is fragile and requires the utmost vigilance from all.

Keep these few rules in mind to avoid disturbing this invaluable and rich ecosystem:

• Rules for whale and dolphin watching: When observing dolphins and whales (including sperm whales), it is not permitted to approach within a 300 meter radius of the animal.
• Rules for observing sea turtles: Sea turtles are protected and an intrusive presence of swimmers and divers could affect their health or cause them to abandon their territory. It is therefore preferable to observe them calmly at the surface and not touch them or follow them. If you encounter a wounded, dead or beached turtle, please contact Réseau Tortues Marines on +596 696 234 235. 

Fishing Zones :

• Fishing is prohibited in the three following areas: 
• The cantonment of Ilet Ramier (common to the municipalities of Anses-d’Arlet and Les Trois Ilets)
• The cantonment of Baie du Trésor (municipality of La Trinité)
• The cantonment of Case-Pilote

NB: The capture of marine animals and the harvesting of any living or dead marine organisms from the animal or plant world is strictly prohibited.

Hiking in Martinique

In Martinique, you will definitely be amazed by the hiking opportunities.

Our island enjoys a very rich ecosystem with hugely diverse scenery that you can discover along 180 kilometers of marked trails.

Before setting out on an adventurous trip, we have a few bits of advice:

• No matter how strong the call of adventure, never set out hiking alone.
• Make sure to hydrate yourself properly. Every hiker should have their own water bottle and carry enough water to drink.
• The sun is unforgiving in Martinique. Your adventure gear should include a sun hat, a long-sleeved top, sunscreen and sunglasses.
• After heavy rains, hiking on some paths is unadvised. For safety, check before setting off. 
• Taking IGN maps and hiking guides with you is essential. Remember to always have paper versions in your rucksack, in case you are out of battery on your phone.

Some practical information to discover the treasures and 1001 beauties of our island in the respect of all.

Welcome to Martinique!

Rules for Driving in Martinique

As using public transport can be restrictive and limit your freedom to explore, you will no doubt be using a car to get around. Rest assured, Martinique is a French department and so the driving rules are quite similar to those in mainland Europe. Note that special speed limitations may apply in hilly areas of the island.  Hitch-hiking is also quite common and you will have no trouble getting around the island in this way.

To drive on the island, you just need a driving license and to be at least 18. However, most rental agencies will only rent vehicles to people aged 21 years and older and who have held a driving license for at least a year.

When at the wheel, vigilance is key.

Driving at night is more challenging as roads are often winding and unlit. After nightfall, we recommend using shuttle buses or calling a taxi if you feel uncomfortable driving a car. 

Imports and Exports

Rum, spices, coffee, perfume, textiles, seashells... You’ll no doubt want to take a little souvenir of this paradise home. However, for ethical and sanitary reasons, you cannot take everything you want home in your suitcase. 

In terms of local products, there are no special restrictions. Plants, shells and any other living organisms, on the other hand, must be left in their natural habitat.

Martinique enjoys a tropical climate and welcomes visitors all year round.

• January to April: This is the dry season, meaning you can enjoy sunny weather virtually all of the time with little rain and temperatures ranging from 28°C to 30°C / 82°F to  86°F. The driest month to visit is March. It is also the busiest time for tourism on the island.
• May: A quieter period as the wet season will soon begin.
• June to November: Expect to enjoy warm and humid weather with showers in the late afternoon and an average temperature of 27°C / 80.6°F.
• November to December: The dry season gradually returns on the island from November. While there can still be some tropical downpours, they are generally quite short and won’t spoil your day.  

What is the local time zone?

Martinique is in the America/Martinique time zone.

Are there safety issues in Martinique?

Martinique is a low-risk travel region.

What is the sea temperature?

The temperature of the sea varies between 27°C and 30°C / 80.6°F - 86°F. Ready for a nice dip?

Making Phone Calls from Martinique

Although on the other side of the Atlantic, Martinique remains part of France. To call Europe, just dial the number as usual, including the country code. No country code is required to call mainland France.

Are there sharks in Martinique?

Sharks are present in the Caribbean Sea, but no attacks have been recorded in Martinique and they do not come close to the coast. 

Can there be cyclones?

The cyclone season runs from June to the end of November. There is no reason to worry, though. Simply keep an eye out for weather warnings.

When is the best time of year to visit Martinique?

In Martinique, the weather is always good. But if you want dream weather right throughout your stay, the best time to come is still October to June.

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This Guidebook Is the Ultimate Resource for Black Travelers and Their Allies

"The ABC Travel Green Book" by Martinique Lewis is available now.

As a Black traveler , it can be difficult to find people and experiences that resonate with you when visiting a new city or country. " The ABC Travel Green Book , " a guide by Martinique Lewis, helps solve this problem.

Lewis's book takes inspiration from Victor Hugo Green, who created The Negro Motorist Green Book Compendium during the Jim Crow era to help African American travelers find places such as hotels, gas stations, and restaurants that would serve them in the United States.

Fast-forward almost 60 years, and we now have a book that compiles listings, from "restaurants to recreation centers, transportation companies to Black history tours in every city and country in six out of seven continents," Lewis said in a statement. It helps you find ways to get in touch with the local communities abroad and ensures your safety as you explore the world.

If you're not a traveler of color , this book can also be used by an ally as a resource to support the Black community while traveling. Per Lewis, this book is for "Black travelers, Black business owners, Black expats, allies, and travel publications. Allyship is a 365-day thing and these are places they should also be visiting and adding into their itineraries to teach their communities about."

Get your copy of "The ABC Travel Green Book" at barnesandnoble.com . For more information from the author, visit abctravelnetwork.com .

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