Car rental in Martinique : tips, prices, routes

Are you going to Martinique for a road trip of a few days? Here is our mini-how to rent a car in Martinique!

Eighty kilometers long and thirty-nine kilometers wide of happiness, here is the promise made by Martinique. The promise is kept, of course, how could it be otherwise? There are beaches to heavenly waters, but it would be a reduction to limit the island to this only image of a postcard. Martinique is above all a great cultural richness born from the blending of America, Europe , from Africa but also from Asia. It is also a Regional Natural Park that covers 2/3 of the island and allows visitors to admire a wide variety of landscapes, from the Pelee Mountain to the mangrove forests, to the cliffs that plunge into the turquoise waters.

With all these must-sees, it is more than advisable to rent a car in Martinique. So you can take the time to live at your own pace so you don’t miss anything and enjoy the maximum of this wonderful stay.

Where to rent a car in Martinique?

At the airport

The Fort-de-France International Airport has a dozen counters dedicated to rental agencies in the arrival hall.

Small precision: at the time we write this article, building extension works make renters located on the P1 parking lot. In any case, you have no concerns about renting a car in Martinique.

In town

The advantage of renting a car in Martinique in the city is to have access to local agencies that can offer such interesting services, except for international agencies. The other advantage is that you can find agencies in all major cities in the south of the island. However, it should be noted that there is no no rental agencies in the north.

Routes in Martinique by car: some ideas of road-trips!

Located 7000 kilometers from the metropolis, the island is often a planned destination for long stays. The island can be divided into 4 major regions:

• Southwest Caribbean Sea Side
• Southeast Atlantic
• East and northeast Atlantic
• The Caribbean northwest

Here are 4 route ideas, which can be adapted to envy, for a road trip with your rental car in Martinique.

For short stays

First route

• Although the city is not exceptional in itself, Fort-de-France deserves a visit, just for his markets. You have to come in the week and early in the morning to enjoy the explosion of colours and flavors of the stalls with the possibility of restoring it. Once filled, go to the Schoelcher Library, St. Louis Cathedral, the historic quarter behind the port and why not the archaeological and ethnographic museums.
• Then take your car to go to Balata where you can visit a beautiful botanical garden and an amazing replica of the Sacred Heart. It is time, then, to take the direction of the south coast and make a first stop in the mangrove of Génipa.
• Get back to the road Three Islands to visit the domain of La Pagerie, birthplace of Josephine de Beauharnais, wife of Napoleon I. The beautiful beaches are connected like the beautiful Anses d’Arlet that leads you slowly to the point of the Diamond, passing through Creole villages. The Diamond takes its name from this huge rock, a former pirate marker where you can go to discover the dolphins and sea turtles.

Second route

• Discover the northwest in the region Saint-Pierre. You can start this circuit by discovering the heart of Martinique through the famous Trace Road which is considered one of the most beautiful of the island. It leaves Fort-de-France to reach the Atlantic coast, crossing the rainforest, but you can stop before to get into the climb of the Pelee Mountain.
• On your journey, many hikes are possible like those of alma canyon, the Saut-Gendarme cascade and the Domaine de l’Émeraude.
• At the foot of the volcano, discover the village Red Morne, you can also visit the historic Depaz distillery whose rum has the name AOC.
• For the return you will take the direction of the west coast to enjoy the city of Saint-Pierre and beautiful beaches including that of black sand of the ankle Céron.

For long stays

First route

• Take the first route that led you to the Diamond but continue your route to the south-eastern Atlantic coast.
• You will pass in front of the Memorial Cap 110erected for the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, before arriving at Sainte-Luce, a booming city whose grilled lobsters are known.
• You arrive at the peninsula Sainte-Anne, high place of martinic tourism with the Salines beach but you can get away from the tumult by going for a hike in the Savane des Pétrifications. Boating enthusiasts will be able to start diving.
• Then continue your exploration of the coast to the commune of François where you must absolutely visit Habitation Clément with its coldery and exploitation where works of art are also exhibited.

Second route

• You only have to explore the northeast of the island. peninsula of the Caravelle is an obligatory point of passage for at least one day or more so there are things to see in the reserve. And why not take advantage of the Treasure Bay and the small fishing village of Tartane as well as the last sugar factory in La Trinité?
• A Sainte-Marie, you can take the only train of the island, the Train des Plantations, to discover the fields of cane and bananaraies.
• A Ajoupa-Bouillon, the Gorges de la Falaise are to be seen before taking the direction of Basse-Pointe which is the birthplace of Aimé Césaire. Then comes the Côte-au-Vent, all north of Martinique with the village of Macouba.
• To go home Fort-de-France, follow the west coast through the Pelee Mountain.

How to compare and book your car rental online?

The Antilles islands have their own dry season during winter in metropolis. In other words, to rent a car in Martinique at this time, you will have to take it well in advance because the demand is very strong. Prices can vary from simple to double, so it is interesting to use a price comparison as Rentiles in order to make the sort quickly between the offers.

It may also be interesting to compare prices with local agencies that have good press. You can use for this purpose the comparator site of the independent loueurs of the French islands, Rentiles .

How much does a rental car cost in Martinique?

To rent a car in Martinique :

• High season: a minimum of 35€ a day for a small model.
• Low season: the price of appeal is 22€ a day.

To rent a car in Martinique for a week:

• High season: therefore, a minimum of 185€.
• Low season: the price is 117€ in low affluence.

Driving in Martinique: the traffic rules to know

Needless to worry about driving your rental car in Martinique because the road code is the same as in metropolis. However, the driving of the premises is deemed to be sporty, or very slow, so be careful, especially since outside the cities, the roads are windy and steep.

At night, encounters with opossums on the road are very common and end tragically for animals, you will have to adapt your speed and anticipate.

Our tips for your car rental in Martinique

Rent a car in Martinique: what conditions do you need?

Once again, young drivers , that is to say below 25 years, are disadvantaged because in most agencies they will have to pay one additional tax . Less than 21 years old will not be able to rent a car and the permit will have to be valid for more than a year. Attention, some local agencies refuse drivers under 23 years of age and apply for a valid license for 3 years!

Since Martinique is a French region, there is no special condition for the type of bank card to be presented.

Limited or unlimited mileage?

If you have planned a road trip, you better take unlimited mileage, it’s safer.

Do you need insurance to rent a car in Martinique?

As everywhere, the basic loads offered by car rental agencies in Martinique are very light. For example, in the event of a puncture, there is little chance for the insurance to be reimbursed. Attention should also be paid to franchises. Check on the insurance side that you already have, including that of your bank card, and take an additional one if needed but not necessarily with the agency.

Where to park in Martinique?

The cities are equipped with car parks and tourist places. Just pay attention to coconut trees and unlit places at night.

What is the most convenient car category to visit Martinique?

To rent a car in Martinique, a economic model is sufficient to circulate on the island.