Renting a Car in Martinique

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 exploring attractions in 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.

Requirements and restrictions can, however, vary. If you are concerned about minimum and maximum age restrictions, insurance requirements and the like, consider contacting each firm directly, before making a final decision.

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 to choose a U.S. based company, or a larger, more well known firm.  It should also be noted that many companies default to renting out manual cars, so if you feel more comfortable driving an automatic vehicle, be sure to make your wishes known when you make your reservation.

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

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.

The great thing about driving in Martinique as opposed to many other Caribbean nations is that the roads are extremely well maintained.  The island has an expressway, which allows you to travel a greater distance without having to slowly navigate your way through potentially tricky back roads.  The main roads remain well-marked, and are often patrolled by the local police force.  Your greatest challenge when driving through Martinique will likely be dealing with rush-hour-traffic in Fort-de-France.

With so many options, and favorable driving conditions, vacationers are sure to find that renting a car in Martinique is a primo choice.