Sunday September 07, 2008

Rental cars are an expensive but convenient way to get around

Car Facts

With so many things to do and and so many wonderful sites to see, many vacationers decide to take to the streets of Martinique so they can explore the magnificent island.

To get around the island, driving is a good option, especially if you plan on spending a lot of time away from your hotel and its surrounding areas. Getting a rental car allows travelers to explore Martinique at their own pace, whether they want to visit all of the island's historical sites or cruise from town to town. All you need to rent a car is a valid driver's license from your home country, and you have to be at least 21 years of age.

The island has several rental car companies located on the island. Travelers should be aware that there have been some complaints about some of the local car rental companies, like mechanical problems with the cars, and some problems with irregular charges on the final bill, so you may want yo choose a U.S. based company, or a larger more well known firm.

Here is a list of rental car companies that have services on the island:

Company Contact Info
Avis
596-596-42-11-00 (airport)
596-596-70-11-60 (Fort-de-France)
800-331-1084 (U.S.)
Budget Lamentin International
596-596- 42- 04- 04 (airport)
596-596-70-06-10 (Fort-de-France)
596-596-76-80-80 (St. Anne)
596-596-66-00-45 (Pointe du Bout)
596-596-70-22-15 (cruise terminal)
800-527-0700 (U.S.)
Carib Rent-a-Car
596-596-51-15-15 (airport)
Euradom
596-596-42-17-05 (airport)
596-596-60-10-93 (Fort-de-France)
Europcar Reservation 596-596-42-42-42
596-596-73-33-13 (Fort-de-France)
596-596-66-04-29 (La Pagerie)
596-596-76-47-18 (Diamant-Novotel)
596-596-42-16-88 (airport)
Grabin's Car Rental
596-596-71-51-61 (Fort-de-France)
Hertz
60-64-64 (Fort-de-France)
596-596-42-16-90 (airport)
596-596-51-01-01 (Garage)
800-654-3001 (U.S.)
Jumbo Car/Thrifty
596-596-42-22-22
596-596-42-16-99 (airport)
596-596-66-11-55 (Pointe-du-Bout)
Nad in Car
596-596-61-14-00 (Case-Pilote)
National Citer
596-596-72-40-13 (airport)
596-596-72-40-13 (Fort-de-France)
Pop's Car
596-596-42-16-84 (airport)
596-596-70-00-70 (Fort-de-France)
Rapid Car
596-596-61-82-73 (Schoelcher)
Sea Sun Location
596-596-66-01-04 (Pointe-du-Bout)
Sixt/ Charles Ozier Lafontaine Services
596-596-74-82-49 (Marin)
596-596-42-17-01 (airport)
Tropicar
596-596-63-37-41 (Moreau de Jones)
596-596-58-26-81 (Trinit�)

Whichever rental car company you choose to go with, travelers should expect to pay a value added tax which is 8.5 percent added to the final bill. Also, you will be charged a delivery fee which is about 23?, and there is a charge of about 16, if you pick the car up