Hiring a car is the best way to get around and experience the natural beauty of Martinique.
Roads in Martinique are good, with multilane freeways in the Fort-de-France area. Drivers can be badly behaved in Martinique, so you'll need to drive defensively. Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road.
Car hire: Avis (+11-596-421-100), Budget (+11-596-636-362) and Hertz (+11-590-892-805) have offices at the airport in Fort de France and other locations. You can also hire bikes and mopeds.
An International Driving Permit or a national driving licence is required to hire a car, provided you have at least one year's experience.
You must be at least 21 years of age to hire a car, and some companies add a surcharge for drivers under 25.
Taxi: Taxis are readily available but fairly expensive. A 40% surcharge is added to all fares between 8pm and 6am, and all day on Sunday and public holidays.
Taxis are available 24/7 via Radio Taxis (0596-631-010) or Martinique Taxi (0596-636-362). Taxi stands can be found at major hotels, resorts and the airport. Share taxis are called 'taxicos' and can be a great way to meet locals.
When taking a taxi, make sure you ask that the metre is working and that it is 'on' for the journey, unless you arrange a flat fare for a day of sightseeing.
Bus: Fort-de-France's TCSP road train runs every 15 minutes between the airport and the city centre and has a dedicated lane on the motorway, guaranteeing that it won't get stuck in the city's perpetual traffic jam.
TCSP is also good for reaching the large, out-of-town shopping areas between the city and the airport.
While there are some large public buses that operate in Fort-de-France and beyond, most are mini-vans marked "TC," which stands for Taxi Collectifs (collective taxis).
Destinations are marked on the vans, either on a small sign stuck in the front window or on the side doors.
The bus depot in Fort de France is located in Pointe Simon just west of the harbour. Bus stops are marked with 'arret autobus' and normally consist of a blue square with a picture of a white bus.
There are no schedules and buses run on demand, departing when full. Buses run early in the morning and usually end around 6pm or 1pm on Saturdays. Services on Sundays is limited.
This mode of transport is not recommended for visitors as services are erratic and vehicles often decrepit.
Bicycle: It's possible to hire a bike, despite the fact that Martinique is very hilly. Drivers generally respect cyclists, but it's important to take care, especially when it rains.
Water: Scheduled ferry services operate daily every 30 minutes between Fort-de-France and the main resorts of Trois Îlets and Sainte-Anne via Anse Mitan, Pointe du Bout, Anse à l'Âne and Anses d'Arlet.
The journey takes about 30 minutes to Trois-Ilets, and slightly less to Pointe du Bout, and is a pleasant way to experience the bay while avoiding road traffic.
Latest update: How to get around Martinique: 7 May, 2022
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