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Organizing your stay in Martinique yourself:a good idea?

If you have already traveled or plan to do so, then you have probably already asked yourself the same question as many other people:delegate or organize your trip to Martinique yourself?

If for some the answer is clear for others it is total blur. Because between the camp of those who do not want to take care of anything and those who do not want to hear about an agency, the undecided may be able to get an idea with this file.

Organizing your stay in Martinique yourself:a good idea?

A history of organization

The key words to ensure the success of your stay are organization and anticipation . If for you, organizing your own trip to Martinique is a first, we do not recommend that you opt for a last-minute stay. This will save you a lot of stress, save this kind of spur of the moment start for when you have a bit more experience.

Even though Martinique is a French DROM, there are a number of things to expect:

  • have a valid passport or identity card for the duration of your stay
  • be up to date with your vaccinations. No need for additional vaccines for people living in metropolitan France.

Nothing complicated so far. If you meet these criteria you can start looking for your stay. If this is not the case, you will need to renew your identity papers (pay attention to the delays depending on the period) and make an appointment with your doctor to update you on the vaccination level.

Set the dates of your trip

For those who are wondering, the best time for a vacation in Martinique is between December and April. This is where the rains are least frequent. But this is also where the prices are the highest because of the high demand. If the hurricane period doesn't scare you, then you can also go the rest of the year.

If you are not constrained in the choice of dates, we recommend that you leave outside school holidays. Attention the dates are different according to the zones in mainland France but also in Martinique.

You will have less people and lower prices.

Book your plane tickets

Once the period is over, you will have to think about your plane tickets . We recommend that before booking, you also look for your accommodation. Some periods are very popular and it would be a shame to have cheap plane tickets but not find affordable accommodation.

A word of advice, anticipate your departure well, especially if you are leaving during a busy period. For example, it is common that in June there are already no more plane tickets available for the month of February of the following year.

If your dates are flexible, feel free to look at ticket prices on different days of the week. The price difference can be significant, so much so that leaving longer can cost you less!!!

Find your accommodation

As we mentioned above, it is best to book plane tickets and accommodation at the same time to ensure a hassle-free trip.

Martinique is a long-standing tourist destination, which means that the accommodation offer is quite rich. Nevertheless, good deals go very quickly and the island is sometimes out of beds to accommodate tourists.

You have the choice between different housing options for your stay:

  • the hotel
  • the apartments
  • the villas
  • bungalows and/or mobile homes

Note that in Martinique there are no more campsites.

For hotels, there is no shortage of choice. From the simplest to the luxurious complex, there will be something for all tastes and above all for all budgets. Full board is quite rare on Martinique unlike a neighboring island like the Dominican Republic. You can directly consult hotel sites or platforms such as Booking.com, Hotels.com...

An accommodation offer that is booming is the rental to individuals or agencies of apartments, bungalows or villas. This type of accommodation is not necessarily more expensive than a hotel. It has several advantages like:

  • more freedom and fewer constraints on schedules
  • more privacy
  • high-end equipment
  • an enriching exchange with the owners (often from Martinique)

But it's not always easy to find the accommodation that suits you. For this we recommend a site specialized in the rental of villas in Martinique :Voyage-Martinique.fr.

The properties are very well presented, classified by type but also sorted by city and area of ​​the island. In a few clicks you can consult the ads directly and make your request to the owners.

Rent a car

If your holidays are not just about lazing by the hotel pool, a car will be essential .

The island is full of natural and cultural treasures that deserve our interest, such as:

  • paradise beaches
  • the Caravelle nature reserve
  • the banana plantations
  • AOC rum distilleries
  • museums
  • The Garden of Balata
  • the Cap 110 memorial
  • the volcano (Mount Pelee)

These places are scattered on the island, that's why a car is necessary.

You will also have the choice between a small local car rental company or the big well-known brands (Sixt, Europcar, jumbo, Hertz ). Some agencies are directly at the airport, others in hotels. Find out about the conditions of rental, return, mileage packages included...

We recommend that you take a car with a little power, otherwise some hills will be difficult for you to overcome.

Activities

You probably know it, but Martinique has a fairly impressive range of activities. Something to satisfy everyone regardless of your tastes.

Whether you like cultural, sporting or natural leisure activities, you are bound to find something that suits you.

But again, don't wait to be there to build your schedule. Some activities such as the encounter with the dolphins are very popular and places are limited.

Another positive point for Martinique, if you like nature and hiking you will be served!!! There are a plethora of hikes, from the family to the most demanding. Equip yourself well and don't forget the camera.

We hope that with these few tips build your trip to Martinique yourself don't scare you anymore.

The hardest part is getting started, but you won't regret it.