The end-of-year holidays bring families together from one end of the island to the other: lunch in the north, a beach in the south, two airport runs. Without a car, those days get complicated fast. Here is what changes at this time of year, and how to book without tying yourself down.
The period we mean
By end-of-year holidays we mean the period from 15 December 2026 to 5 January 2027. Arrivals cluster there, often in the evening, and stays run longer than average: the Martinique Tourism Board recorded an average stay of 11 days in 2024, across 571,511 staying visitors.
What actually changes
- Flights land late. Your car is handed over at the terminal at any hour, seven days a week; late-arrival fees apply from 6.30 p.m. (terms, art. 8).
- You drive a lot. Mileage is unlimited on every rental: driving back and forth between south and north changes nothing on the price.
- Public holidays follow one another. 25 December and 1 January are public holidays in France (service-public.gouv.fr): our Le Lamentin branch keeps its usual hours, every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and airport handover runs at any hour.
Which car to choose
Our fleet runs to more than 130 vehicles: small cars, saloons, SUVs, automatics and vans. Two categories go early because we hold few of them: seven-seaters — we have a single model — and automatics. If your trip depends on either, book it first.
Picking the car up on arrival
Handover at Aimé Césaire airport is free and available at any hour, seven days a week. You can also come to our Le Lamentin branch, open every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. We do not deliver to homes or accommodation: the team stays at the airport and the branch, which is what lets us keep night-time handovers.
Booking early without committing yourself
Booking far ahead is only worth it if you keep control. A deposit holds the vehicle, the booking can still be changed, and the cancellation terms are written down: it is all set out on our book direct page and in the terms and conditions.
Can I pick the car up on the evening of 24 or 31 December?
Yes. Handover at Aimé Césaire airport runs at any hour, seven days a week, including holiday evenings. Late-arrival fees apply from 6.30 p.m., under the bands set out in article 8 of the terms.
How far ahead should I book for the holidays?
There is no absolute rule, but the categories we hold few of — seven-seaters, automatics — are the first to run out. If your trip depends on one, book as soon as your dates are set.
Is mileage capped over this period?
No. Mileage is unlimited on every rental, all year round. The island is about 70 km from north to south: you can cover it without counting.
Do you deliver the car to my accommodation over the holidays?
No, we deliver neither to homes nor to accommodation. The car is handed over at the airport, free of charge and at any hour, or at our Le Lamentin branch, open every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Handover at the Fort-de-France cruise port is possible for a surcharge.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Let us know: handover runs at any hour and we adjust the time. Only the late-arrival fees set out in the terms apply, based on the actual handover time.