Capital: Fort-de-France
Time zone: GMT – 4
Telephone services: Country Code: 596
Outgoing Code: 19
Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 17, Fire/Ambulance – 18
Tourist information: French West Indies Tourist Office, 178 Piccadilly, London, W1V 0AL Tel: (020) 7629 2869 Fax: (020) 7493 6594.
Passport information: Passport requirements as for France. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.
Visa information: As for France.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Tuberculosis.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: French Franc (FFr) = 100 centimes Exchange: US and Canadian Dollars are widely accepted.
All major credit cards are accepted, as are travellers cheques, preferably in French francs US dollars. ATM availability: Unavailable.
Cost of living: Expensive, especially in the tourist centres.
Languages: French (Creole dialect).
Weather: Warm all year round with most rain falling during the Autumn, although showers can occur all year round. Upland areas are cooler.
Electricity: 220/380 volts AC, 50 Hz.
Post: 1 Week. Airmail must be sent from post offices.
Transport: SEA: Scheduled ferries operate between the main ports. ROAD: The system is well developed and surfaced. BUS: A limited service operates. TAXI: Government controlled, plentiful and reasonably cheap if shared. CAR HIRE: Excellent car hire facilities are available. Bicycles can also be hired. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP is recommended, but a national driving licence is sufficient providing the driver has at least one year’s experience.
Special information: The French influence is clearly evident. The usual social courtesies should be applied.