The north of Martinique is an ideal destination for a family stay. Less touristy than the south, it offers volcanic landscapes, black sand beaches, tropical gardens, authentic villages... and of course a visit to the Martinique Zoo — Habitation Latouche. Between nature, culture and encounters with animals, you can easily organize several days of activities with children.
Why choose the north of Martinique with children?
In the north of the island, Mount Pelée dominates a green landscape: rivers, waterfalls, forests, gardens and the Caribbean coast. This region concentrates many activities accessible to families: easy walks, educational discoveries, adapted beaches and fun visits.
Saint-Pierre and Le Carbet are very good starting points to shine. It is easily accessible from Fort-de-France, in particular by the Route de la Trace, a mythical axis that also leads to Balata Garden, one of the best known sites on the island for its tropical terraced gardens and views of the surrounding forest.
In addition, the Martinique Zoo allows you to discover animals from the Caribbean and South America in the middle of the ruins of the Habitation Latouche, an ancient sugar estate from the 17th century, converted into a zoological and floral park.
The essentials of northern Martinique with the family
Saint-Pierre and the villages of the Caribbean coast
Former “capital” of Martinique, Saint-Pierre was largely destroyed during the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902. Today, you can see the ruins of ancient buildings and visit places of memory, while enjoying the seaside promenade. It's a great place to take a lunch break or watch the sunset with the family.
Further south, Le Carbet offers a tranquil seaside ambiance, with dark sandy beaches, beachfront restaurants, and easy access to the Martinique Zoo, located in the immediate vicinity.
Black sand beaches and tranquil swims
Northern Martinique is known for its black sand beaches, formed by volcanic activity. Some are suitable for families, such as Anse Turin or Anse Latouche, both listed among the family beaches in the region.
For families who like to walk a bit, a trail leads to the beach ofAnse Couleuvre, very wild. However, it is not suitable for the stroller; a baby carrier is recommended with young children.
These beaches offer another face of Martinique, far from the vast expanses of white sand in the south, but just as exotic.
Accessible nature and hikes
The north is also a land for hiking. Some walks remain compatible with a family stay, provided the duration and difficulty are well adapted.
The Falaise Gorges, near Ajoupa-Bouillon, are an emblematic outing: a supervised route allows you to go up the bed of a deep river, in the middle of very dense vegetation.
Depending on the age of the children, it is advisable to find out about the conditions of the day, the water levels and the recommended equipment before starting. Other natural sites, such as some waterfalls or viewpoints around Mount Pelée, offer shorter walks and impressive panoramas.
Balata Garden: a tropical break near Fort-de-France
Going up north from Fort-de-France, the Balata Garden is an essential stop. Created by the landscape designer Jean-Philippe Thoze, this tropical garden concentrates palm trees, exotic flowers, pools, viewpoints and a short course of suspension bridges. It is regularly cited as one of the top attractions to do with children in Martinique.
On site, the restaurant La Luciole, located at the entrance to the garden, offers Creole cuisine based on local products, served at noon. It is a good option for a real lunch break before continuing north.
A family day at the Martinique Zoo — Habitation Latouche
A zoological park in the middle of ruins
The Martinique Zoo — Habitation Latouche is located in the renovated remains of an old 17th century sugar house. The course, lasting approximately 1 hour and a half, follows landscaped paths that cross gardens, ruins and animal enclosures.
You can discover mammals, birds, reptiles and other species mainly from the tropical zone, while reliving the history of the place thanks to scenography and explanatory panels. It is a visit that speaks as much to children as to adults, because it combines animals, botany and historical heritage.
A visit designed for families
The zoo offers a marked itinerary, accessible with children, with shaded areas and varied views of the enclosures.
Immersion aviaries sometimes allow you to see certain birds very closely, and educational explanations are provided along the way to better understand the species, their habitat and conservation issues.
The site also has a dining and break area, convenient for organizing a full half-day on site with children.
Idea for a 3-day itinerary in the north of Martinique with the family
Day 1: Fort-de-France, Route de la Trace and Balata Garden
Start your stay in Fort-de-France: market, waterfront, short stroll in town. At the end of the morning, take the Route de la Trace, a historic road that climbs into the heart of tropical vegetation. It leads to the Balata Garden, located a few kilometers from the city.
Visit the garden in the afternoon with the children: shaded paths, pools, views of the forest, and, for those who wish, a short suspension bridge course (to be evaluated according to the age and comfort of each).
For lunch, you can stop by the restaurant La Luciole, at the entrance to the garden, which offers homemade Creole cuisine at noon.
At the end of the day, reach your accommodation in the north, for example around Saint-Pierre or Carbet.
Day 2: Martinique Zoo and North Caribbean Beaches
Spend the morning at the Martinique Zoo — Habitation Latouche. Allow at least 1 hour and a half to follow the entire route, and more if you want to take the time to read the signs, photograph the animals and enjoy the gardens.
After the visit, you can have lunch on site or in a nearby restaurant, then go down to the beaches of Carbet or Saint-Pierre for an afternoon swim. The beaches of Anse Turin or Anse Latouche are in particular cited as suitable for families.
End the day by watching the sun set over the Caribbean Sea, a moment that is often enjoyed by children and parents alike.
Day 3: Mount Pelée, Ajoupa-Bouillon and Falaise Gorges
For this third day, focus on volcanic landscapes. From Saint-Pierre, you can go up to the surroundings of Mount Pelée to enjoy viewpoints and short walks, choosing itineraries adapted to the age of the children.
Then continue to Ajoupa-Bouillon, a village located north of the mountain, the starting point for several nature excursions.
If conditions permit and your children are old enough, the Falaise Gorges offer a spectacular, supervised outing in the heart of a narrow canyon dug by the river. Again, find out about safety, water levels, and the recommended minimum age before you commit.
At the end of the day, you can return to your accommodation in the north or go down to Fort-de-France for the rest of the stay in the South.