Guadeloupe – Travel Guide
Guadeloupe, a French Caribbean archipelago, beckons with its lush landscapes, including La Soufrière volcano and tropical rainforests. Basse-Terre, the western island, offers hiking trails and the Cousteau Reserve for vibrant marine life. Grande-Terre, the eastern island, boasts stunning beaches like Sainte-Anne and Le Gosier. The vibrant market in Pointe-à-Pitre showcases local flavors and crafts, providing a taste of the island`s culture. Guadeloupe`s blend of French and Caribbean influences, coupled with its natural beauty and outdoor activities, makes it an appealing destination for those seeking a unique and vibrant tropical experience.
All about Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe FAQ
What is Guadeloupe known for?
The stunning archipelago of Guadeloupe consists of five fantastic islands, blending scenic natural beauty, rich culture, delicious cuisine, hiking, water sports, colorful carnivals, palm-fringed beaches, and a lush verdant mountainous interior. The five main islands of La Desirade, Les Saintes, Grande-Terre, Basse-Terre, and Marie Galante combined have a rich history and numerous attractions offering endless opportunities and adventure. Guadeloupe National Park is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve on Basse-Terre boasting over 180 miles of hiking trails, the La Soufriere volcano soaring over 4,800 feet, hidden waterfalls, and verdant tropical forests filled with abundant flora and fauna. Pastel-colored houses decorate Terre-de Haut Island which exudes European characteristics, vibrant fishing boats sit on the shore, beautiful flower gardens, and European architecture fill the streets and Bourg des Saintes `Sugarloaf` volcanic hill looks over the charming bay below. Historic forts such as Fort Napoleon dating back to the 17th century with a historical museum and stunning gardens, and Fort Josephine the 19th-century ruins can be seen on Ilet, a Cabrit island. Guadeloupe Islands are a stunning destination for island hopping with charming bays, breathtaking beaches, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing available in the tranquil turquoise waters along with unique accommodations found along the beaches and nestled in the rainforest for the perfect tropical vacation. Rocroy Beach lined with beautiful black volcanic sand sits on the south side of Basse-Terre, the golden sands of Grand-Anse is a beautiful place to soak up the sun and the Sainte-Anne beaches in Grand-Terre famed for their transparent waters and glistening white sand.
What are the best places to visit in Guadeloupe?
Guadeloupe Island is a French Caribbean island and consists of two islands lying so close to each other, that they are often considered as one land. Their names are Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre, where the capital – the city of Basse-Terre – is located. The archipelago offers an evocative blend of natural beauty and rich Creole and French culture. Palm-fringed beaches rim the coastline, and the interior is lush and mountainous with waterfalls, hot springs, and an active volcano.
How many days should I spend in Guadeloupe?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel, and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around Guadeloupe?
Getting around Guadeloupe is best done by renting a car, rental car agencies can be found at the airport as well as popular cities throughout the islands. Having your own car will give you the freedom and flexibility to explore the islands and see the main attractions at your leisure. Ferries are available to connect to the five main island chains. Many of the islands feature mountain roads with tight bends and off roads can be muddy during the rainy season. The loop road around the island of Basse-Terre is one of the most scenic drives in the entire Caribbean, having your own car to enjoy the ride is a must. Day trips to the island are easily done with ferry rides that take 20-45 minutes depending on your island choice, there are several ferry companies with daily services to the islands.
What is the currency of Guadeloupe?
The official currency in Guadeloupe is the Euro (€). The US dollar is not accepted. There are ATMs found at airports, and banks throughout the main cities and towns.
Do people speak English in Guadeloupe?
The official language spoken in Guadeloupe is French, and Guadeloupean Creole Many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants. Most of the island’s inhabitants have a good comprehension of the English language. We recommend you get a good English-French-Creole guidebook and learn common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.
Best time to visit Guadeloupe
The gorgeous Guadeloupe island archipelago enjoys a warm tropical climate with high humidity and average daily temperatures around 80 degrees.
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The water temperatures average around 75-84 degrees year-round, making them ideal to enjoy many water activities throughout the year. The best months to visit the islands are December to May with warm, dry weather, temperatures during these months can be cooler from the low to high 70s. The weather from June to November, which is also hurricane season brings the hot, humid, and wet weather to the islands, however, the trade winds tend to cool things off and afternoon thunderstorms with heavy downpours can be refreshing from the heat.
Tipping in Guadeloupe
The official currency in Guadeloupe is the Euro (€). The US dollar is not accepted. There are ATMs found at airports, and banks throughout the main cities and towns.
Top cities in Guadeloupe
What to expect while traveling
