In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · United States
St. Martinville
One day is enough for St. Martinville: see the historic church, heritage center and Evangeline Oak, then a quick swamp tour.
St. Martinville is the historic heart of Cajun Louisiana. Its main sights sit on a walkable Main Street; a half‑day covers the church, museum and park, and a short drive adds a swamp experience.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heat, humidity, mosquitoes)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $70–$100 excl. bed · Mid $120–$160 excl. bed · High $200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | $2–$4 |
| Boudin sausage sandwich | $5–$8 |
| Cajun gumbo (restaurant) | $10–$15 |
| Lake Fausse Pointe State Park entry | $3 adult |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | $15–$20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LFT · Lafayette Regional Airport
- about 30 km (19 mi) north, shuttle or rental carabout 19 mi (30 km) north, shuttle or rental car
Typical fares
- Car rental (economy, 1 day)
- ≈ $45 (check)
- Champagne's Swamp Tour
- ≈ $30 per person (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is walkable; a bike or rental car is useful for nearby swamp parks and the Lafayette day trip.
See and do
Known for
- St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church
- Longfellow‑Evangeline State Historic Site
- St. Martinville Cultural Heritage Center
- Evangeline Oak Park
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Fausse Pointe State Park | Drive north on LA‑31, about 30 min | ≈45 min round trip |
| Lafayette, Louisiana | Drive east on LA‑31, about 30 min | ≈1 h total |
Sleep
- Maison Madeleine B&B at Lake Martin
- Cottage‑style B&B on Lake Martin, good for a night after swamp tours
- Lake Fausse Pointe State Park cabins
- Basic cabins or tent sites within the park; ideal for nature lovers
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excusez‑moipardon |
| Thank you | Mercimerci |
| How much is it? | Combien ça coûte ?combien ça coûte |
| Where is the restroom? | Où sont les toilettes ?où sont les toilettes |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Alligators and mosquitoes are common in swamp areas – wear repellent and stay on marked trails
- Summer heat can be intense; carry water and avoid midday outdoor activities
St. Martinville is safe for tourists; main risks are wildlife in swamps and summer heat – stay on paths and hydrate.
One and two days
No timed day plan for St. Martinville yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church
- Longfellow‑Evangeline State Historic Site
- St. Martinville Cultural Heritage Center
- Evangeline Oak Park
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: St. Martinville, revision 4308075 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4308075
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
St. Martinville
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaît
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
US consulates are in New Orleans and Baton Rouge; nearest foreign embassies are in Washington, DC.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/st-martinville). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.