Car Rental in Fort-de-France

Why rent a car in Fort-de-France?

Fort-de-France is a relaxed and joyful Caribbean city with a share of interesting history. There’s historical architecture, unique museums, and cultural centers waiting to be explored. With a rental car, you can also visit the rest of the island of Martinique and its paradisiacal beaches, pristine nature, and imposing mountains. 

Top ways to enter Fort-de-France

• Fort-de-France Airport: Also known as Martinique Aimé Césaire Airport, it handled nearly two million travelers in 2018. As of October 2019, the airport is served by 14 different airlines that offer flights to destinations like the USA, Canada, Cuba, Barbados, Belgium, Italy, and France. Located 9km (6.3 miles) east of Fort-de-France, the airport takes only ten minutes to reach.
• By sea: An infrequent charter boat and ferry service links Martinique to other Caribbean islands like Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia, and Dominica. In most cases, it is not possible to take a rental car on a ship- if you want to do this, you should ask both your rental car provider and the boat service provider about it in advance. If you plan to visit more than one island during your trip to the Caribbean, the most popular choice is to drop off one rental car on Martinique and pick up another after arriving at your next destination.

City facts

• Martinique has a tropical rainforest climate. The average high temperature is 30°C  (86°F) in September, the hottest month, and 28°C  (82°F) in January, the coldest. The island has very high precipitation, even by Caribbean standards; from August to November, Martinique gets more than 230,00 mm of precipitation per month. It is the driest, although still relatively humid, from February to April.
• Unlike many other Caribbean islands that gained their independence from European powers in the 20th century, Martinique remains a part of France. The island is, therefore, also a part of the European Union and uses the euro as its currency. The main languages spoken on the island are French and Antillean Creole; knowledge of English varies but is generally high among people working in the service and tourism industries.

Top sights and activities

• Fort Saint-Louis. Built in 1638, this seaside fortress is one of the most impressive examples of military architecture in all of the Caribbean. Located in one peninsula of Fort-de-France, the fortress continues to serve as a base for the French navy, though part of it has been turned into a museum that visitors can access.
• Dillon Distillery. Although rum is no longer distilled here as production has been moved to another part of the island, the former distillery has been remade into a museum dedicated to the most iconic of Caribbean drinks. It tells the history of rum-making in Martinique and its historical and social importance for the inhabitants of the island. If you’re traveling with a friend who will drive, you can even sample the local production. Located in Fort-de-France, the museum is just a short drive away from the city center.
• St. Louis Cathedral. Built in the late 19th century, it is one of the largest cathedrals in all of the Caribbean. The cathedral was built in place of another one that was destroyed by a fire in 1890. Designed by the French architect Pierre-Henri Picq, it is said to have been inspired by the works of Gustave Eiffel. 
• Bibliothèque Schoelcher. The colorful main library of Martinique has an interesting story. Although built in the colonial architectural style of the late 19th century, it was the brainchild of Victor Schoelcher, an abolitionist who donated his personal library of 10,000 books to the library. The collection has since expanded to more than 130,000 books, with a particular focus on the rich Antillean literature.

Traffic and parking

• Martinique drives on the right hand side of the road. 
• Unless indicated otherwise, the speed limit in Martinique is 110km/h (68 mph) on motorways, 90km/h (55 mph) on all other intercity roads, and 50km/h (31 mph) within urban and built-up areas. 
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05%. Exceeding this limit can lead to large fines and even deportation or imprisonment. 
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• Martinique has some of the best roads in the Caribbean. Some roads in rural areas might have potholes or other issues, but even those are generally improving. 
• Although Fort-de-France is not a large city, it does experience its fair share of traffic jams. If you need to travel somewhere during the morning or evening hours, it’s a good idea to depart early. 
• It is prohibited to use a mobile phone while driving unless you use a hands-free system. 
• Children 6 years old or younger must sit in a special child seat. If you’ll be traveling with a young child, ask your rental car provider in advance about the availability of a child seat. 
• Speed detection cameras are in use. 
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The fire department’s phone number in Martinique is 18, the police number is 17, and the ambulance number is 15. 

Toll roads

There are no toll roads on Martinique. 

Ideas for day trips

• Les Trois-Îlets. Equal parts interesting and fun, the town of Les Trois-Îlets is not only home to impressive historical architecture and quality museums, but also many of Martinique’s nicest beaches. Located on the other side of the Bay of Fort-de-France, the town is some 26km (16 miles) south of Fort-de-France and can be reached in a half an hour.
• Sainte-Anne. Very popular with travelers and therefore often a bit crowded, Sainte-Anne is nonetheless worth a visit thanks to its stunning white beaches. Have a meal at one of the beach restaurants, go kite surfing, or simply enjoy the sea and sun. Located 47km (29 miles) southeast of Fort-de-France, Sainte Anne takes about one hour to reach by car.
• Saint-Pierre. Established in 1635 and having served as the capital of Martinique, Saint-Pierre was known as the Paris of the Caribbean, but was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1902. Rebuilt as a cozy village that now has some 4,500 inhabitants, Saint-Pierre is home to the Volcano Museum. It’s also possible to dive among the wrecks of ships that were swallowed by the sea after the earthquake or even climb Mount Pelee, the volcano that destroyed the city. Located some 40km (25 miles) north of Fort-de-France, Saint-Pierre takes about one hour to reach. The village is not easy to access - you might need a local guide and, depending on the season, a 4x4 vehicle - but the effort is worth it.
• Mount Pelée. Mount Pelée’s eruption in 1902 was responsible for the deadliest volcanic eruption of the century, killing almost 30,000 people. Despite this bloody past, its towering peak of 1,400 m (4,600 feet) remains one of the symbols of Martinique. Located in the northwestern corner of the island, the volcano is nowadays a popular tourist destination visited for its great hikes, panoramic views, a great variety of birdlife, and the Regional House of Volcanology. The drive from Fort-de-France takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Fort-de-France is Renault Clio, followed by Dacia Sandero and Renault Twingo. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact. 

Further destinations

• Le Diamant. A small town with a pretty wooden church, Le Diamant is best known for the Diamond Rock, a 175-meter (574 feet) wide basalt island right. It’s possible to take a boat right to the rock and scuba diva there. Back on land, you can explore Le Morne Larcher, a beautiful volcanic hill that is connected to the town by a hiking trail. Le Diamant also has some beautiful long beaches, but sea currents can change quickly, so be careful and ask for local advice before swimming. Located 28km (17.3 miles) south of Fort-de-France, Le Diamant can be reached in some 40 minutes.
• Gorges de la Falaise. Falaise Gorge is an impressive natural attraction where the river Falaise runs through a deep canyon. Though you have to pay an entrance fee and hire a guide, a visit to the gorge is still worth it as it is one of the most impressive places on Martinique. Some parts of the gorge can only be crossed by swimming across. Located some 40km (25 miles) north of Fort-de-France, the entry point of the gorge can be reached in about one hour.
• Le Carbet. If you get tired of swimming, diving, trekking or any of the other activities that Martinique has an offer, the best place for a well-deserved rest is Le Carbet. A small, but diverse town, it has some beautiful architecture, the Paul Gauguin Museum (with works that the world-famous painter created while staying in Martinique), and the best seafood restaurants on the island. If after all this you feel your energy levels building up again, there’s also a great aquatic park. Located 31km (19 miles) north of Fort-de-France, Le Carbet can be reached in about 40 minutes.
• Guadeloupe. Another picturesque Caribbean territory of France, Guadeloupe is located to the north of Martinique, with the independent island nation of Dominica between them. It is not possible to take a rental car with you, but you can drop off one in Fort-de-France, take the 45-minute flight, and pick up a new one after landing in Pointe-a-Pitre. Like Martinique, Guadeloupe uses the Euro and is politically a part of the European Union.

Car rental prices in Fort-de-France

• Small cars - from $35 per day
• SUVs - from $76 per day
• Medium cars - from $48 per day
• Large cars - from $94 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Get a cheap rental car in Fort-de-France by following these tips:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Fort-de-France is the cheapest in June when renting a car is about 61% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 81% cheaper than renting a vehicle in January.