7 Days in Le Lamentin, Martinique: Rum, Rainforest, and Turquoise Bays
Martinique blends French-Caribbean culture, rainforest peaks, and reef-fringed bays into one vivid island. Le Lamentin sits at its center near Aimé Césaire International Airport, making it a perfect base to explore both the wild north and the beachy south. Expect rum agricole distilleries, volcanic landscapes, and waters so clear you can count the starfish on the white sandbars.
History is on full display—from the 1902 Mount Pelée eruption that reshaped Saint-Pierre to the elegant Bibliothèque Schœlcher in Fort-de-France. You’ll taste it too: accras (salt cod fritters) hot from market stalls, Colombo curries, and ti’ punch made with rhum AOC Martinique. Legends swirl around La Baignoire de Joséphine—those famous shallow “white bottoms” where you can stand waist-deep in the sea.
Practical notes: the currency is the euro, driving is on the right, and French and Creole are widely spoken (English is common in tourism). Renting a car is the easiest way to circle the island’s coastal roads and rainforest ridges. Hurricane season runs June–November; pack light rain gear year-round and reef-safe, mineral sunscreen to protect the corals.
Le Lamentin
Le Lamentin is Martinique’s logistical hub with a surprisingly leafy side: mangroves in Baie de Génipa, the hand-built Distillerie La Favorite, and quick connections to beaches, markets, and mountain trails. Its central location means most of the island’s big sights are 20–60 minutes away.
Nearby highlights include the Schoelcher Library and St. Louis Cathedral in Fort-de-France, the ruins of Saint-Pierre under Mount Pelée, the black sands of Le Carbet, and the sea-turtle coves at Anses d’Arlet. Eastward, the cays off Le François and Le Robert hide crystal “white bottoms” beloved by locals.
Where to stay (Le Lamentin): Browse apartments and villas close to the airport and central roads, or base in Le Lamentin for easy day trips.
- VRBO stays in Le Lamentin: Find Le Lamentin vacation rentals
- Hotels.com stays in Le Lamentin: Search Le Lamentin hotels
Getting there & around:
- Fly into Fort-de-France (FDF, in Le Lamentin). Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. If you’re starting in Europe, you can also check Omio for flight options.
- Car rental is strongly recommended for this itinerary (expect roughly $35–60/day as of 2025). Drives from Le Lamentin: Fort-de-France ~15–20 min, Jardin de Balata ~25–30 min, Saint-Pierre/Le Carbet ~50–70 min (coastal), Le François ~25 min, Le Robert ~20 min, Anses d’Arlet ~45–60 min.
Top tours to book (great availability and local insight):
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Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour — sample sweets and learn the capital’s story with a local guide.
Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour on Viator -
North Island Tour And Martinique Best Secret — rainforest rivers, Mount Pelée views, and the volcanic north in a small group.
North Island Tour And Martinique Best Secret on Viator -
Bathtub of Josephine and Islands Half day Boat trip — wade the famous “white bottoms” near Le François and Le Robert.
Bathtub of Josephine and Islands Half day Boat trip on Viator -
Discovery and snorkeling with sea turtles — snorkel the calm coves of the south coast and meet turtles.
Discovery and snorkeling with sea turtles on Viator
Day 1: Arrival in Le Lamentin, first tastes of Martinique
Afternoon: Arrive at FDF (in Le Lamentin), pick up your car, and check into your stay. Shake off the flight with a short walk by the mangroves of Baie de Génipa or a coffee stop near La Galleria mall. Order a glass of fresh-pressed cane juice or a ti’ punch (just rhum agricole, lime, and cane syrup) to set the tone.
Evening: Head to Schoelcher’s seaside (15–20 minutes) for sunset at Lili’s Beach, a beloved spot on La Batelière cove. Go for accras, grilled octopus, and a passionfruit mojito; the vibe is barefoot-smart, with live music some nights. Turn in early—tomorrow dives into the capital’s markets and monuments.
Day 2: Fort-de-France culture, markets, and sweets
Morning: Drive to downtown Fort-de-France (15–20 minutes). Start at La Savane park, then visit the stunning ironwork of the Bibliothèque Schœlcher and the neo-Gothic St. Louis Cathedral. Wander the Marché Couvert for spices, cacao sticks for traditional hot chocolate, and warm accras from stallholders—ask for a taste of homemade “piment confit” (pepper relish).
Afternoon: Join the Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour to sample local sweeties and get insider stories about the capital’s architecture and resistance history.
Evening: Book a table at La Table de Marcel (also at Hotel Simon) for a refined tasting menu by Martinique-born chef Marcel Ravin—think Creole flavors filtered through French technique. If you prefer casual, cruise back to Schoelcher for burgers, grilled fish, and barefoot cocktails at Lili’s Beach.
Day 3: Volcanic north—Saint-Pierre, rainforest, and black-sand shores
Full day: Let someone else handle the mountain roads on the North Island Tour And Martinique Best Secret. You’ll wind the Route de la Trace, feel the cool rainforest air, and reach Saint-Pierre—“the Pompeii of the Caribbean”—to see ruins and learn about the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée. Expect stops at rivers, viewpoints, perhaps a distillery like Depaz, and time on a grey/black-sand beach near Le Carbet.
Day 4: The cays—La Baignoire de Joséphine and the “white bottoms”
Morning: Drive to Le François or Le Robert (20–30 minutes) for a half-day lagoon trip. The Bathtub of Josephine and Islands Half day Boat trip gets you onto sandbars so shallow you can stand in the sea. Skippers share legends of Joséphine and point out heritage islets and mangroves.
Afternoon: Picnic at Pointe Faula (Le Vauclin), a kite-surfer hangout with a huge, shallow lagoon perfect for wading. Order bokits (stuffed fried bread sandwiches) or grilled fish from casual beach stands; chase with a sorbet coco from a passing vendor.
Evening: Back near Le Lamentin, opt for a rum-focused dinner: start with a ti’ punch blanc as an aperitif and pair grilled dorade or Colombo chicken with local sides (christophine gratin, red beans). If you’re up for a nightcap, cruise Fort-de-France’s waterfront for a planteur under the palms.
Day 5: South coast coves—snorkeling with sea turtles and Anses d’Arlet
Morning: Aim south (45–60 minutes) for Anse Dufour and Anse Noire, twin coves famed for calm water and turtles. For a guided experience and extra context, join the Discovery and snorkeling with sea turtles excursion—guides know where turtles feed and how to watch respectfully.
Afternoon: Continue to Grande Anse d’Arlet for a long swim and a lounger. The pier frames postcard views of the church and green hills, and snorkelers often spot squid and parrotfish along the rocks.
Evening: Book Ti Sable (right on Grande Anse) for sunset. Go for grilled mahi-mahi with Creole sauce, rum baba for dessert, and live music if it’s on. Drive back to Le Lamentin late; roads are well-signed, but take it slow around curves.
Day 6: Gardens, rum, and rainforest
Morning: Head up the Route de la Trace (25–30 minutes) to Jardin de Balata, a lush botanical garden laced with aerial walkways and hummingbirds. It’s a serene counterpoint to the coast—don’t miss the bamboo stands and giant bromeliads.
Afternoon: Cool off at Saut Gendarme waterfall (a short drive) or seek out Distillerie La Favorite back in Le Lamentin for a look at artisanal, steam-era machinery and a tasting of grassy blanc and mellow vieux rhums. If you fancy a guided nature day instead, consider the Half-Day Nature and Panorama Tour in Martinique for rivers, botanical gardens, and a rum stop.
Evening: Treat yourself across the bay at Le Zandoli (Trois-Îlets, ~35–45 minutes), a destination restaurant with sweeping views and inventive Creole-inspired plates. Reserve ahead; arrive early for a cocktail on the terrace.
Day 7: Easy morning, last tastes, and departure
Morning: Keep it slow. If it’s a weekday, swing by Fort-de-France’s Grand Marché for last-minute spices (colombo powder, vanilla) and cacao sticks for Martinican hot chocolate. Or stroll the waterfront and watch the ferries depart for Trois-Îlets.
Afternoon: Check out and head to the airport for your flight. For future trips or multi-city ideas, compare fares on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, or—if you’re Europe-based—Omio. Save a little room in your bag for a bottle of rhum vieux.
Where to eat and drink across the week (specific picks):
- Le Petibonum (Le Carbet): Beach shack institution by chef Guy Ferdinand—grilled lobster, lionfish, and deep rum list feet from the surf.
- La Table de Marcel (Fort-de-France): Contemporary tasting menu spotlighting island produce; ideal for a celebratory night.
- Lili’s Beach (Schoelcher): Sunset cocktails, accras, and burgers on a sandy cove; family-friendly with a DJ some evenings.
- Ti Sable (Grande Anse d’Arlet): Dinner right on the beach; reserve for golden-hour views and live music nights.
Insider tips: Ferries run between Fort-de-France and Trois-Îlets/Anse Mitan (~20 minutes; typically under €10 round-trip). Bring cash for small market purchases. In the water, keep a respectful distance from turtles and dolphins; never touch coral. Many distilleries close on Sundays—plan tastings midweek.
In seven days based in Le Lamentin, you’ll taste Martinique’s rum-making soul, walk rainforest gardens, float on sandbars, and swim with turtles. It’s a compact island with big contrasts—volcano to lagoon in under an hour—so keep your camera handy and your sandals by the door.