The Best Way to Visit Martinique: A 3-Day Itinerary
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Don’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of the small island of Martinique or its nearby sister island, Guadeloupe. They are French Caribbean islands in the Lesser Antilles. Most tourists who vacation in Martinique are from Canada or Europe, but that shouldn’t stop you from planning your Martinique itinerary. Both islands are still off the radar for most American tourists, which is what gives Martinique its charm. It’s a hidden gem with a rich history, and where nature is the star of the show. Imagine a climate similar to Hawaii's, with the same types of activities, but without the crowds and the high price tags!
Martinique is small enough that you can drive all over the island. It’s 22 miles wide and about 50 miles long. If you want to see everything that the island has to offer and drive the entire loop, you’ll need about one week to do so. I spent three full days in Martinique the first time I visited, and it was enough time to explore the highlights, but five days is probably the sweet spot. This island is ideal for daily road trips, allowing you to explore different regions and experience its amazing culture.
When is the best time to visit Martinique? December-April
Language spoken: The official language of Martinique is French. Some people speak English but you should definitely brush up on your basic French before visiting.
Currency: Euros
How to get around? Renting a car is the best way to get around the island. The island is easy to navigate with a GPS.
How many days do you need in Martinique? 4-7 days. I only spent three full days in Martinique which is enough to see a variety of attractions but if you have time to stay longer I would recommend it.
There are several ways to reach the island of Martinique, depending on where you’re traveling from and how you prefer to get there. The first time I visited the island, I arrived by air, and the second time was by boat.
Most travelers arrive by air, flying into Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF). There are direct flights from several cities in Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean. From North America, you can fly nonstop from places like Miami, Montreal, and Toronto. If you’re traveling from the mainland United States, you’ll most likely have a stopover, as nonstop routes are limited and change seasonally.
Another option is arriving by sea. I visited Martinique for a second time as part of a small-ship cruise with Windstar Cruises, which was a completely different way to experience the island and a great option if you like unpacking once while still visiting multiple destinations. Martinique is a regular stop on Caribbean cruise itineraries, and some travelers visit the island this way as part of a larger cruise. For a more flexible or intimate experience, it’s also possible to charter a private yacht or sailboat, especially if you’re already traveling around the Caribbean.
If you’re island hopping, ferries are available from nearby destinations like Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia, and Dominica. These routes can usually be booked online and take anywhere from one to five hours, depending on the departure point and sea conditions. This can be a great option if Martinique is part of a broader Caribbean itinerary.
Once you arrive, the biggest decision you’ll make is how to get around the island, especially if you plan to explore beyond one area.
If you plan to explore beyond one area (which you really should!), renting a car is highly recommended in Martinique. The island is very easy to drive on, but public transportation is limited, and taxis can be inconsistent, especially if you want flexibility or plan to visit different parts of the island.
From personal experience, having your own car makes a huge difference. When I first visited Martinique, I quickly realized how spread out the island is and how much easier it is to move at your own pace. One thing I learned the hard way is that GPS devices are very scarce at car rental companies, so you’ll want to either bring your own GPS or make sure you have an international phone plan that works reliably - eSIMs are a great option!
It’s important to know that rental cars are limited on the island, especially during peak travel periods. Booking well in advance is key. If you rent a car at the airport, be prepared to wait in line to pick it up. It’s not as bad as it sounds, just level set your expectations before arriving, and once you have the keys, getting around is smooth and straightforward.
Driving in Martinique felt manageable, even for a first-time visitor. Roads are generally well-maintained, signage is clear, and having a car gives you access to beaches, viewpoints, and small towns that would be difficult to reach otherwise. If you’re interested in a Martinique road trip, this is by far the easiest way to experience the island.
If you’re deciding where to base yourself in Martinique, Fort-de-France is an excellent place to start. It’s the capital of the island, home to the main airport, and where you’ll find the largest concentration of hotels. I found it to be the most convenient home base, especially if you plan to explore different parts of the island by car.
Staying in Fort-de-France makes logistics much easier. You’re close to the airport, well connected to major roads, and within reach of beaches, ferry connections, and restaurants. If it’s your first time visiting Martinique or you’re short on time, this central location simplifies your trip and cuts down on unnecessary driving. With Fort-de-France having a large variety of hotels, it was hard to choose, but I ended up finding the perfect slice of heaven in a quiet neighborhood. Here are a few options I recommend for staying in Fort-de-France.
La Maison de Clémentine
La Maison de Clémentine was my absolute favorite place I stayed in Martinique, and I can’t recommend it enough. This boutique bed and breakfast is tucked away in Fort-de-France and feels like an oasis, and is thoughtfully designed. It’s the kind of place that immediately makes you feel at home after a day of exploring. The couple that owns this 5-room property makes you feel welcome as soon as you arrive. They offer a homemade breakfast spread featuring fresh produce grown on the island, and even sit down with you after your arrival to make sure you have excursions planned and all the information you need to make your time on Martinique unforgettable.
The rooms are beautifully styled, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the attention to detail really stood out to me. If you’re looking for a stay that feels personal rather than hotel-like, this is a fantastic option and one I’d happily return to.
Foyal Suites
Located closer to the cruise port area of Fort-de-France, Foyal Suites offers a colorful, modern stay in apartment-style accommodations. These suites feel more like thoughtfully designed apartments than traditional hotel rooms, which is a great option if you want extra space or plan to stay a few nights.
This is a convenient choice if you like being near the waterfront or want a functional, comfortable base while exploring the island by car.
Apolline Martinique
If you’re looking for something more upscale and serene, Apolline Martinique is a beautiful boutique option in the same quieter part of Fort-de-France as La Maison de Clémentine. The atmosphere feels calm and refined, making it a great contrast to the busier parts of the city. This property sits up on a hill with an infinity pool overlooking downtown Fort-de-France.
Apolline is well-suited for travelers who appreciate boutique properties with character and want a peaceful place to unwind after a day of sightseeing. With only 6 rooms, you’ll surley be able to relax and unwind here.
Anse Dufour
Day 1: Rum Distillery and Beautiful Beaches
Our first day began with breakfast on the patio of our hotel, and then we headed out for the day. We first stopped at Habitation Clément, one of the oldest rum distilleries on the island. You can tour the gardens where they have numerous art installations from local artists. You can walk the gardens on your own before the guided tour of the historic distillery begins. The tour ends at the gift shop, where you can taste a variety of rum produced on the property and purchase a bottle or two.
If the weather is nice, you’ll want to take advantage of the beautiful sunny day and spend the rest of the day beach hopping in the southern parts of the island. Before arriving at the first beach of the day, make a pit stop at Boulangerie-Pâtisserie La Guérande and pick up some French sandwiches to enjoy on the beach.
Keep driving until you reach Anse Dufour, one of the most beautiful beaches in Martinique - well, every beach on the island is gorgeous, but this one was one of my favorites. Make sure you bring snorkel gear with you, as both Anse Dufour and neighboring beach Anse Noir are fantastic places to snorkel. Street parking is available near Anse Dufour, and you can easily follow the path connecting the two beaches if you plan to visit both - and I highly suggest that you do!
After soaking up the sun and swimming at Anse Dufour, walk up the steps and follow the path to Anse Noir. This is a black sand beach with a long pier that you can jump off of into the water. Here, we sat on the pier, ate macarons, and watched a sea turtle glide through the water around us. Next, drive southeast to the Memorial Anse Caffard to see the statues that face the ocean and serve as a slave memorial. This memorial was erected to pay homage to the slaves who died on the slave ship that crashed into these cliffs in 1830. You can park your car on the side of the road near this memorial park and walk the grounds to see these beautiful statues up close.
Spend the evening at Grande Anse du Diamant, one of the largest beaches on the island. From the beach, there’s a view of two large rocks out in the ocean, and this is a great place to watch the sunset. After sunset, drive down the street to have dinner at Oceanou. The food is delicious and fresh, and the back of the restaurant opens up to the beach so you can hear the crashing waves while you enjoy your meal. It’s quite an experience!
Day 2: Mount Pelee and the Botanical Gardens
Spend day two exploring Fort-de-France and the northwest part of the island. Start your morning surrounded by nature at the Jardin de Balata, Martinique’s prized and very lush botanical garden. Getting there is quite the adventure itself, though! There are very steep roads that wind up and down the mountains leading up to the botanical garden,s so drive carefully. This lush garden features suspension bridges that let you experience the variety of fauna and flora from a whole new perspective. The Jardin de Balata is a must-see when visiting Martinique and would be fun for families.
After the gardens, drive up the western coastline to have lunch at Habitation Ceron. This property used to be a sugar mill and is now a cocoa bean farm with a restaurant on-site. They create and serve delicious chocolate-infused dishes, and you can walk the gardens on your own and even learn how chocolate is made from cacao pods.
Habitation Ceron is very close to two stunning beaches, Anse Lévrier and Plage Anse Céron, and a hiking trail that leads to Cascade de la rivière Couleuvre. After lunch, make your way to the beginning of the Couleuvre River Waterfall trail and begin your journey on this out-and-back hike. This hike is easy to moderate and will take about an hour and a half to complete. If you plan to go on this hike, plan to spend extra time finding parking, as the lot is quite small and you may end up waiting for a spot to open up. You’ll see a beautiful waterfall, and you might even see groups of tarantulas, too! After the hike, head to one of the beaches mentioned above to relax or snorkel.
Mount Pelee is also nearby, and although I didn’t get the opportunity to go on this hike due to the weather, I still wanted to include it. Many trails reach the summit, and the final descent is supposed to be quite difficult and steep, so this hike is more advanced. It’s almost a 5-mile hike and can take 4-5 hours to complete, so I recommend dedicating a full day to it so you can enjoy it and take your time.
Before heading back to your hotel, swing by Ziouka Glaces in Le Carbet for a scoop or two of homemade ice cream. The owner uses 100% natural ingredients and has his own test kitchen, where he creates his unique flavor combinations. Ziouka Glaces is open only 3 hours a day, but it’s well worth the wait! I ended up ordering the Corn flavor and Chocolate Ginger ice creams, and they were both pure perfection! I’m still craving more Corn ice cream!
Day 3: Catamaran Tour and Snorkeling
For your final day in Martinique, spending the day out on the water is a relaxing and memorable way to experience the island. When I visited Martinique for the second time, I took a similar full-day catamaran tour that snorkeled the same area, and it ended up being one of my favorite experiences on the island.
This highly rated full-day catamaran and snorkeling excursion departs from the southwest coast near Les Anses-d’Arlet and typically lasts around eight hours, making it a true day-long experience. The longer duration allows for a slower pace, multiple swim and snorkel stops, and plenty of time to relax on board between locations.
The waters around Les Anses-d’Arlet are known for being calm and clear, and this area is especially well known for frequent turtle sightings. On my own catamaran trip here, snorkeling felt approachable and unrushed, even for less experienced swimmers. Tours like this usually include snorkeling equipment and stops at coves and beaches that are difficult to reach by car, which is part of what makes the experience feel special.
Because this is a full-day outing, it works best if you plan very little else for the day. Treat it as your main activity, then enjoy a relaxed dinner or quiet evening back in Fort-de-France afterward. It’s an ideal way to end your trip while soaking in Martinique’s coastline without needing to plan every detail yourself.
This guide is meant to help you plan a realistic trip to Martinique, especially if it’s your first visit and you want to understand how the island actually works day-to-day. From getting there to deciding where to stay and how to get around, the goal is to make planning feel straightforward rather than overwhelming.
Martinique is the kind of destination where logistics matter. Having a car, choosing the right home base, and spacing out your days make the experience much smoother, particularly if you want the freedom to explore beyond one area. You don’t need to see every part of the island to enjoy it, but you do need a plan that makes getting around feel manageable - and grouping your days by area really pays off on this island.
If you’re deciding where to stay, my full review of La Maison de Clémentine goes into more detail on why Fort-de-France worked so well as a home base. And if you’re curious about how to visit Martinique on a cruise, my Windstar cruise experience offers an honest review of what it’s like sailing on a luxury small ship.
Happy travels!
- Tess
Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!
