Martinique is a dependent territory of France and uses the euro as currency. US dollars are not accepted in shops, but some stores and many restaurants and hotels take credit cards. The best exchange rates can be had at banks. Not all banks will do foreign exchanges and may direct you to Fort De France to do such transactions.

French imports are worthwhile purchases, especially wines, liqueurs and crystal. Local items include rum, straw goods, bamboo hats, creole dolls, creole jewellery, baskets and objects of aromatic vetiver roots. A discount of 20% is given if payment is made by traveller’s cheques in some tourist shops.

Shopping hours are generally Monday to Friday, 8:30 am-6 pm. As a decidedly Catholic island, very few stores are open on Sundays or holidays celebrated in France.

Shopping opportunities include:

• Galleria, in Lamentin (near airport), is the island's largest mall, with several European branded stores and others;
• Fort-de-France's Spice Market offers stalls full of local/unique flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables, and herbs and spices;
• Rue Victor Hugo, Fort-de-France's main shopping street, is a strip of sometimes tiny, Paris-like boutiques, island shops and vendors of fresh fruit and flowers.