Carnival Season is Only the Beginning of the Year-Round Festivities
If you can only attend one festival in 2024, make it the annual Martinique Carnival in early February. The people of this idyllic Caribbean paradise know how to throw a party. Join in the fun in 2024 to experience it for yourself.
If you can’t make it to the Martinique Carnival, however, don’t despair: no matter what time of year you visit Martinique, there’s always something fun and exciting happening on this island paradise.
Global Air Charters offers direct service to Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (TFFF) just minutes from the beach and the island’s sumptuous accommodations.
Martinique Carnival, February 10-14, 2024
Every year, the streets of Fort-de-France come alive with vibrant colors, infectious rhythms, and jubilant crowds who celebrate a blend of European and African traditions that date back centuries. Revelers don elaborate, colorful costumes, showcasing both individual creativity and collective cultural pride. Traditional characters, such as the “Vaval” (the King of Carnival), play central roles in the festivities.
While the Carnival takes place the week before the start of Lent, Carnival season begins in January, with a variety of cultural events and festivities scheduled each year. Martinique Carnival peaks on Fat Tuesday with the Grand Parade, where troupes of dancers and musicians from various communities showcase their talent.
The Martinique Carnival is more than just a visual spectacle, it’s also a loving and vibrant celebration of the cycle of life.
Year-Round Fun in Martinique
While the Carnival is certainly a great reason to visit Martinique in February, there are plenty of other reasons to visit Martinique any time of year. Here are just a few of the things to do and places to explore on your trip to this Caribbean jewel.
Mount Pelée, an active volcano, is the highest peak in Martinique. Adventure lovers often hike up its slopes, using the well-trodden trails starting from the town of Morne-Rouge. Panoramic views of the island reward those who ascend, but don’t forget to wear appropriate hiking shoes and carry plenty of water.
For a truly fascinating glimpse into the past, be sure to make the journey to Saint-Pierre. Once dubbed the “Paris of the Caribbean,” this formerly thriving cultural and economic hub met its end with the devastating eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902. Today, visitors explore the preserved ruins of theaters, homes, and jails, all encased in volcanic ash. Stop into the Volcanological Museum before you depart to delve deeper into the details of this extraordinary event.
Further south lies Les Salines, Martinique’s picture-postcard beach. Spend the day swimming, snorkeling, or sunbathing before strolling to one of the nearby eateries.
Just outside Fort-de-France, you’ll find the Jardin de Balata. This lush botanical garden houses hundreds of tropical plant varieties, and you can opt for a guided tour or meander through at your own pace, soaking in the diverse flora. Be sure to cross the suspended rope bridges strung above the park for a bird’s-eye of the verdant canopy.
Finally, venture to La Pagerie Museum in Trois-Îlets, the childhood home of Joséphine de Beauharnais, one-time Empress of France, and wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. The estate offers insights into both the colonial history of Martinique and the fascinating details of Joséphine’s unique life story.
Flights to Martinique
With its historical landmarks, vibrant cultural festivals, and white-sand beaches, Martinique may just make the perfect vacation destination. Though Carnival season is coming soon, there’s still time to schedule your charter flight to this beautiful Caribbean island. Grab your comfiest dancing shows and call your flight broker today!
