Fort-de-France's city centre is walkable — La Savane, the cathedral, the Schoelcher Library, the Grand Marché, and Fort Saint-Louis are all within fifteen minutes of each other on foot. Traffic can be severe; the city was built for far fewer cars than it now carries, and driving during rush hours is stressful.
The most useful way to reach the beaches on the western shore of the bay is by ferry from the dock adjacent to La Savane to Pointe du Bout and Anse Mitan. The crossing takes about 20 minutes and runs regularly throughout the day; it is far faster than driving around the bay. Taxis collectifs — shared minibuses that operate on fixed routes — connect Fort-de-France with other parts of the island cheaply, departing from the central bus terminal near the waterfront.