Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic representation in US: None (overseas department of France)

US diplomatic representation: None (overseas department of France)


FOREIGN RELATIONS

The French West Indies are an overseas department of France. See our France Pages for this information.


TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for the French West Indies check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Time: GMT - 4.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 590. Good internal network. There are no area codes. Phonecards (télécartes) are necessary to make calls from public telephones.

Climate: Warm weather throughout the year with the main rainy season occurring from June to October. Showers can, however, occur at any time although they are usually brief. The humidity can be exceedingly high at times.

Required clothing: Lightweights with warmer top layers for the evenings; showerproofs are advisable.

Food & Drink: Predominantly seafood, cooked in French, Creole, African or South-East Asian styles. Dishes include lobster, turtle, red snapper, conch and sea urchin. Island specialities include stuffed crab, stewed conch, roast wild goat, jugged rabbit and broiled dove. The spicy flavour of Creole cuisine is unique. The more formal restaurants will require appropriate dress.
Drinks include a great supply of French wines, champagnes, liqueurs and local rum. A local speciality, Rum Punch (a brew of rum, lime, bitter and syrup), is a must. There are no licensing restrictions.

Shopping: Worthwhile purchases are French imports, including perfume, wine, liqueurs and Lalique crystal. Local items include fine-flavoured rum, straw goods, bamboo hats, voodoo dolls, and objects of aromatic Vetevier root. Travellers cheques give a 20 per cent discount in some shops. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1800, Sat 0830-1300.

Currency: Since 1 January 1999, the Euro, which was introduced in January 2002, has been the official currency for the French Overseas Departments, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. For further details, exchange rates and currency restrictions, see France section.

Currency exchange: All the major French banks are represented on the island. ATMs are available.

Credit & debit cards: MasterCard, Diners Club, American Express and Visa are accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available.

Travellers cheques: Accepted in most places. Their use may qualify visitors for discounts on luxury items. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros. US and Canadian Dollar cheques are also accepted in some places.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco.................400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 gms tobacco

Liquor....................1 liter liquor and 2 liters wine

Perfume.................50 gms and 1/4 liter toilet water

Cameras.................No restrictions

Film........................Reasonable amount

Currency/gifts.........Refer to Consulate

Agricultural items...Refer to Consulate



Back to Top