Martinique is full of wonderful things to see and do

The charm of the French-Caribbean island of Martinique is hard to deny. The island features wonderfully sophisticated French culture as well as fantastic beaches. The coastline of Martinique is like no other. Here, the sands are diverse and full of color. And after an afternoon of being a beach bum, you can enjoy plenty of other great attractions throughout the island.

Beaches

Martinique beaches are exotic and appealing because of their distinctive diversity. On some of the island's shores, vacationers will find dazzling white sands that shimmer like diamonds in the Caribbean sun, and on the next coastline, you may find rich charcoal-colored sands. The contrasting sands also have other colorful features. The tropical vegetation along the coast is lush and flourishing and covers the hillsides in vibrantly colored flora.

Martinique's beaches are distinguished by their different locations. The beaches situated on the Atlantic side of the island feature picturesque scenery, including towering rock cliffs. Other beachfront scenery includes rolling green hills, lush vegetation, and much more. Most of the white-sand beaches are located on the south shores of the island. The best beaches in this region are Cap Chevalier and Plage de Salines near Ste. Anne.

Other Attractions

After you've had your fill of beautiful beaches, you can head elsewhere on the island to explore Martinique's other amazing attractions. Take a tour of the island's countryside, which includes winding roads that hug majestic mountain landscapes. If you want to stay near the coast, there is a giant seaside rock that was turned into a fort, and is a historical landmark. Art and history museums are also abundant on the island and are great spots to learn more about the rich culture and history of this French-Caribbean island. For a closer walk among nature, take a stroll through Martinique's botanical gardens.

Not only is Martinique rich with French culture, but the island also has a splash of international influences. There is a Hindu temple on the island, where travelers may be able to witness sacred religious ceremonies taking place. Other interesting religious attractions on the island include the St. Louis Roman Catholic Cathedral, which was built in 1875.

Gambling is legal on Martinique, so if you're feeling lucky you can plan a trip to one of the island casinos. You can find adult gaming at the Meridien Hotel and the La Bateliere Piazza, which are both open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. You must be 18 to enter any of the island's gambling facilities, and photo identification is a must. Some of the casino's most popular games include slot machines, blackjack, as well as American and French roulette.

Martinique has many spectacular sights and attractions for vacationers to explore while visiting this glamorous Caribbean paradise.