Martinique

At 1080 sq km, Martinique is the second largest land mass in the Caribbean Islands. Often referred to as the ‘Island of Flowers’, here you can find a wealth of colorful flowering plants, lots of green vegetation and plenty of rainfall. Rich emerald rainforests cover the mountain slopes in the interior of the island, with red hibiscus, bougainvillea, alamanda trees, frangipani, balsam and acacia found all over as well.

A distinctly French island, Martinique could easily be mistaken for a provincial region of France as English is rarely spoken out here. In fact it would not be wrong to say that the French would feel right at home on the island, which has an unmistakable French feel to it. In many ways, the capital of Martinique, Fort-de-France is similar to the city of Marseilles and is a busy bustling urban center that is both modern and cosmopolitan. The main city on Martinique, you will find Fort-de-France well connected to the rest of the island with several multi-lane highways and roads.

While all this may make Martinique seem like a contemporary and urban place, this is not the case. Over a third of the island is forested with plenty of banana, pineapple and sugarcane fields found all over. You can also find sleepy quiet fishing villages here, alongside secluded remote beaches, and lots of long meandering hiking trails to enjoy.

Martinique enjoys a tropical climate all year round. However, the best time to come visit is during the dry season i.e. is from December to March when the weather is at its best. If you decided to visit Martinique, keep in mind that you will need at least a week to see all that the island has to offer. Just be sure to brush up on your French before you head out to this lush green tropical paradise, otherwise you may have a problem getting around.