Flights to Martinique

Getting to Martinique

From the United States, American Airlines offers the cheapest flights to Martinique by way of its hubs in Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico. From Europe, American Airlines seems to also offer cheaper flights than other airlines, but flights from Europe tend to cost more on average due to the number of stops and fuel costs.

Airports

Martinique Aime Cesaire International Airport is located 6 miles from Forte-de-France. Airport facilities include a full-service pharmacy, a tobacco shop, a beauty parlor, banking services, restaurants, bars, and gift shops. Several agencies including Hertz, Europcar, Thrift, Avis, and Budget offer car rentals in the arrival area.

Airlines

Several regional and international air carriers offer flights to Martinique, but Air Caraibes is the major regional carrier for the French Caribbean, based on the nearby island of Guadalupe. It has a fleet of nine aircraft and travels to 13 destinations. As a French colony, Martinique's National carrier is Air France, one of the largest airlines in Europe with a fleet of 263 aircraft serving 248 destinations worldwide, including Martinique. In fact, Air France is the only major airline that provides non-stop flights to the island.

Other Money-Saving Tips

The best time to travel to Martinique in terms of the weather is not necessarily the best time if you want to find a bargain. The dry season, which runs from December to May is also the busiest and most expensive time to go. You can save a lot of money on travel expenses by traveling late in the wet season - October and November. Although, the weather is a bit more humid, traveling during this period misses the rainiest month (September) and the month most prone to hurricanes (August). As you plan your travel budget, remember that there is a 10% service fee tacked onto hotel bills and a 15% service fee added to restaurant bills. The Euro is the official currency so keeping on top of the exchange rates and banking fees in Martinique will help you stretch your travel budget.

In Closing

Martinique is populated mainly by native Martinicans of African decent, although the predominantly Creole society is more culturally diverse than you may think, with many Asians, Lebanese, and Indians making their home on the island. Although French is the official language, many Martinicans speak Martinican Creole, reflecting their spicy food and a spicy culture.

Martinique is a colony of France, located in the Caribbean among the Windward Islands, the southern group of the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies. The northern part of the island is notable for its dense rainforest and mountains, crowned by the still active volcano, Mt. Pelee. The ash from this volcano has caused the beaches in the north to turn grey and black in contrast to the clean-looking white beaches in the south. The south is a haven for beachcombers, divers, and hikers. Some attractions of interest include: the trendy Karaoke Cafe; the village of Tartane, known for its fishing and surfing action; the International Guitar Festival, held every two years in December; and the International Jazz Festival held annually in December. These two festivals attract some of the finest musicians from around the globe. The weather is relatively mild for the most part, however, Martinique can get very humid in during the summer and because it's located in the Caribbean it is in the path of many hurricanes and tropical storms during the wet season, so the best time to travel is often late fall to early winter.