What budget to travel Martinique? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Martinique?

Student and senior cards can be used at the entrance of certain museums and gardens to benefit from reduced rates. Remember to take them with you.

With warm waters all year round (28°C on average), Martinique is a paradise for swimmers and snorkelers alike! Armed simply with a mask and snorkel, you'll discover an incredibly rich and colorful underwater life. A word of advice: never go alone, and remember to signal your presence with a brightly-colored towed buoy.

Hiking. On land, the island is also a veritable Eden for hikers: no fewer than forty marked trails are scattered across Martinique. Classified into four categories, the walks are not particularly difficult. Tourist offices provide a departmental map of walking and hiking itineraries. For excursions and hikes involving mountainous terrain, we strongly advise you to be accompanied by qualified and certified guides, and to be aware of weather conditions, which can change very quickly. There are a number of reputable associations that can offer you a wide range of tours and walks. A number of mountain guides have opted for quality in order to gain recognition for their profession. All professionals, they have joined forces to form the Association Martiniquaise des Accompagnateurs en Montagne. Respecting mountain hiking legislation, they take care of everything. The principle: you come with your walking gear (clothes and shoes) and, of course, an idea of the region you want to cover, they define the itinerary according to your wishes and provide everything you need in terms of additional equipment or food. Their knowledge of the island means safety, ease of use and enjoyment. In any case, always bring good shoes, a hat, sun cream, a bottle of water and mosquito repellent.

Kitesurfing. The South Atlantic coast (Cap-Chevalier, Le François) and the Pointe-du-Bout stretch of water (opposite Fort-de-France) are particularly popular for this board sport, a curious mix of surfing, windsurfing and kite-flying! Clubs have set up in these areas, offering introductory and advanced courses. A medical certificate of fitness to practice kitesurfing is now compulsory. Similarly, if you're already an autonomous kitesurfer, you'll need to prove that you have FFVL green levels and IKO level 3. If you already have them, you can hire the equipment from the club. Otherwise, lessons are compulsory.

Sea scooters. This discipline is now accessible to all without a sea licence, provided you are supervised by qualified instructors working at a base approved by the Affaires Maritimes. Under these conditions, instructors with a "brevet d'Etat" can teach scooters in a safe and appropriate environment. They are authorized to supervise up to four machines (i.e. eight people) on tours along Martinique's coastline.

Surfing. The Tartane spot (commune of La Trinité, north Atlantic coast) is the best served in terms of waves, thanks to the regularity and size of the swell. Grand-Rivière, at the northern end of the island (opposite Dominica), is reserved for more experienced surfers. When it comes to equipment, it's best to travel with your own board, but beware of transport conditions. It's best to check with your airline. This individual sport, which is practiced on natural sites, is, of course, free of charge. But it's a good idea to bring your license with you, to avoid any nasty surprises, and to take out civil liability insurance in case of accidents in the water with other surfers.

Diving. Accessible to everyone from the age of 8 and with no age limit, scuba diving is the island's leading tourist activity, and too many people still think it's only for experienced divers. In fact, there's something for everyone! The north, with its dizzying drop-offs and historic wrecks sunk by the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902. The south, with its white sands and turquoise waters. Coral plateaus offering garden and pool dives, as well as some beautiful drop-offs. Not forgetting the famous Diamond Rock. Feel like taking the plunge? Try a first dive in Martinique, where the seabed is full of marvellous things without going too low. Always choose an approved club with state-certified diving instructors. For experienced divers, Martinique has many remarkable sites. Don't hesitate to ask to be supervised on certain dives, so you don't miss out on the best. For more experienced divers, Martinique's dive clubs offer FFESSM and ANMP diving courses from level 1 to level 4, as well as PADI courses from Discover Scuba Diver to the Dive Master professional diploma. If you already have a level, remember to bring your diploma or logbook with you.

Canyoning. Northern Martinique offers a prodigious playground for canyoning enthusiasts. The river gorges in the foothills of the volcano lend themselves to sensational descents. From family-friendly strolls to more technical canyons reserved for connoisseurs (a 70 m abseil, for example!), there's something for everyone! Thrills guaranteed. Never venture out on your own, and choose certified instructors who offer "canyoning" packages, either full-day or half-day.

What budget to eat Martinique?

Prices are often a little higher than in mainland France. As for payment, credit cards are accepted everywhere, as well as American Express. Cash is welcome, which is not the case for checks, which are almost never accepted.

Many bars offer afterwork happy hours, between 6 and 7pm. Most waterfront restaurants on the beaches offer menus for a drink before dinner.

What is the budget for accommodation Martinique?

In terms of accommodation, Martinique is a rather expensive destination. Most of the accommodation is concentrated in the south with quite high prices per night. Families should opt for furnished rentals offered by individuals or agencies. The rates usually decrease after a week or two. In other words, the longer you stay, the more interesting it is! Nevertheless, prices vary enormously from one season to another. Accommodation is 30 to 50% cheaper in low season. A piece of advice: book in advance and look at the "all-inclusive" offers proposed by certain tour operators, which allow you to fix the budget. When you get there, all you'll have to pay for are the extras (drinks, petrol, etc.). Good to know: the Gîtes de France network allows you to organize your holidays in excellent comfort at the best prices. In the same way, many residences and holiday villages offer intermediary solutions between the independent furnished rental and the hotel. The website of the Comité Martiniquais du Tourisme lists quite a few offers at all prices: www.martinique.org. Finally, there is also bartering or home exchange between individuals. This is an interesting system for families to save money on accommodation during their holidays.

Travel budget Martinique and cost of living

The cost of living in Martinique is 30% higher than in mainland France for some basic foodstuffs. For your daily purchases, Martinique has supermarket chains identical to those in mainland France. It is rather the bill that will surprise you! Food is much more expensive. This is due to the cost of transport and various taxes, including dock dues. However, VAT is lower (8.5%). To reduce your budget, turn to local products, especially local vegetables. The problem is knowing how to cook them, which is not easy for beginners!