Important Things To Know
Currency
Martinique is a French region and uses euros on the island. The symbol for the euro is €.
It is available in banknotes and coins. The banknote denominations are €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, and €500. And the coins are 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1, and €2.
Martinique Diving © R.Pakiela (Photo Credit: Martinique Diving © R.Pakiela)
National Languages
The national language of Martinique is French but you’ll also hear a lot of locals speaking Créole.
Unfortunately, not a lot of people speak English. So you may find it a little difficult outside of major tourist destinations to communicate with locals and transport companies.
We recommend having a phrase book on hand or getting a translation app to help navigate the region.
Climate And Weather
Located in the Caribbean sea, north of Trinidad, the island of Martinique experiences hot and humid weather. It’s so hot year-round that the country doesn’t distinguish between winter and summer. For example, there is barely a 10°F difference between the average hottest and coldest day of the year.
So, what does change about the weather? The clouds. From April to November, Martinique is covered in clouds. It’s also during this time - May to December - that Martinique experiences its longest and wettest season.
We’d recommend preparing a big supply of SPF for sun protection. It’s also important to have water on hand to stay hydrated, especially if you’re not used to the heat.
