Money, budget and shopping in Martinique

Money

Currency

Currency: euro (100 cents).

Notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 €.

Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents + 1 and 2 €.

Exchange:

Exchange

For those outside the Eurozone, several banks accept major currencies, and ATMs are widely available for currency exchange. Banks are generally open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Payment methods

You can pay in cash or by card (with no fees for euro accounts), just like in mainland France. However, cheques from banks not based on the island are often refused by merchants. Conversely, "holiday vouchers" and meal tickets are usually accepted.

Budget

Martinique is quite expensive, as is often the case for overseas territories. Budget at least 50 to 70 € per day per person for two, especially if staying in gîtes where you can cook your own meals. For more freedom and convenience, it’s better to plan for at least 60 € per day, not including outdoor or nature activities like diving, which can quickly push the budget much higher.

What can be expensive

Flights during the Christmas period and school holidays.

Staying in high season, especially at Christmas, when some prices skyrocket.

What may not cost (too) much

Weekly gîte packages.

Eating local food.

Travelling off-season.

Price range

Double room in a hotel: 500 to 700 € per week minimum.

Double room in a gîte: 250 to 300 € per week minimum.

Local restaurant meal: around 10 to 15 €.

Tourist restaurant meal: from 20 € for a full meal.

Budget car rental: around 25 to 30 € per day for basic models.

Shared taxi ride: up to 6 or 7 € for trips to/from Fort-de-France.

Urban taxi:

Urban bus: 1.25 € per ticket.

Haggling and tips

Haggling isn’t really part of the culture, though you can try negotiating prices for services like accommodation or car rental in the low season. As for tips, it’s the same as in mainland France.