Planning a Trip to Guadeloupe: Everything You Need to Know

Planning your trip to Guadeloupe

Practical Info

Bathing in the Caribbean Sea, several hundred kilometers north of Venezuela, Guadeloupe is primarily accessible by plane. Arrivals and departures take place at the Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport, right in the heart of the archipelago. Expect to pay at least €400 for a round-trip ticket from Paris.

As it is a French overseas department, French is the official language. Given that 95% of tourists visiting the area are French or Quebecois, French speakers will have no trouble communicating. The Euro is the only currency used. Most restaurants and shops accept credit card payments.

Getting Around

Shaped like butterfly wings, Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre are the two main islands of the Guadeloupean archipelago. Connected by the Pont de la Gabarre bridge near the capital, Pointe-à-Pitre, these two parts can be explored by car. To reach the other islands, such as Marie-Galante or Les Saintes, you will need to take a boat.

For getting around by car, the simplest and most economical solution is to rent a vehicle as soon as you arrive at the airport. Using taxis is possible but quickly becomes expensive if you want to see the sights. A one-way taxi ride between Pointe-à-Pitre and other towns can easily cost 50 to 100 euros. A tip for your car rental: even though there are many agencies near the airport, book in advance! Rental rates are quite reasonable. There are three main roads that connect the two sides of the island.

What to do in Guadeloupe

Cuisine and local specialties

Guadeloupean gastronomy is quite unique and is one of the highlights of this destination. Much like the fusion cuisines found in most Caribbean countries, Guadeloupe blends the flavors of its African and French roots while drawing inspiration from Amerindian cultures. With large quantities of seafood, fruits, and spices, Creole cuisine here is both flavorful and surprising.

As the territory is part of the European Union, the cost of goods is not cheap. Food is generally expensive, though likely no more so than on other European-administered Caribbean islands. A modest lunch costs 12-15 euros. However, there are many high-end restaurants where the bill will be much higher, especially in the Grande-Terre region.

Rum, the iconic spirit

Rum is the iconic drink in Guadeloupe and the Antilles. It is mainly served as a "Ti-Punch," a simple rum with sugar and lime juice. I recommend taking advantage of your stay to discover the different local varieties, as each distillery and farm has its own recipes and production methods. Of course, these tastings should be enjoyed in moderation!

You can discover Guadeloupe's distilleries either by heading directly to one of the 9 farms in the archipelago or by visiting the famous Rum Museum in Sainte-Rose.

Coconut sorbet

For ice cream lovers, the local artisanal coconut ice cream is a must-try. At some ice cream parlors, everything is made the old-fashioned way, using a wooden barrel manually operated with a crank. Outside the Antilles, it is rare to taste a frozen dessert made this way, it's a delight. For 2 euros a cup, you can treat your taste buds.

Must-see attractions

Guadeloupe is much larger than you might expect. To fully tour the archipelago and explore its tourist sites, a 15-day stay would not be too much. Just one week would barely be enough to cover all of Basse-Terre, let alone the rest.

Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre

The two sides are different in terms of landscape, population, and atmosphere. The "east" side, which is Grande-Terre, is home to all the hotels, resorts, and the most popular beaches.
The Basse-Terre region is the area encompassing the national park and the Soufrière volcano.

La Soufrière Volcano

For sports enthusiasts and nature lovers, one of the main attractions of Guadeloupe is undoubtedly hiking its largest volcano, La Soufrière. Located on the Basse-Terre side, this still-active volcano reaches an altitude of 1,500m. From its slopes and heights, the views over Basse-Terre and the surrounding islands are magnificent.

Depending on your route, the hikes can be done in 2-3 hours or 1-2 hours. To get the best experience, the secret is to start as early as possible to escape the afternoon heat as well as the rains that frequently occur late in the day. Most tour buses arrive here in the morning, but not before 8 AM. Starting before that time will allow you to complete your climb while avoiding the crowds.

The most beautiful beaches

The Guadeloupean coastline is full of paradisiacal beaches. The most famous, but also the most visited, are found in the Grande-Terre region, between the towns of Gosier and Saint-François, passing through Sainte-Anne. They face the Caribbean Sea. To the west, the coasts of Basse-Terre also have their share of beautiful beaches. These are less crowded because the large hotel complexes are only located in Grande-Terre.

The town of Deshaies includes many magnificent, uncrowded beaches, which is perfect for those looking for a quieter, more authentic environment. You can also enjoy some extremely picturesque beaches, such as Grande Anse and La Perle beach.

Malendure beach on the west coast of Basse-Terre, although touristy, is an ideal spot for snorkeling. Accessible from the shore, there are many reefs inhabited by very varied flora and fauna. Sea turtles are abundant in these waters. Finally, the Vieux-Fort region on Basse-Terre has superb black sand beaches due to the adjacent Soufrière volcano.

Pointe des Châteaux

Located at the eastern tip of Guadeloupe, Pointe des Châteaux is worth the trip. Contrary to what its name suggests, this place does not house a castle. Instead, you will find a giant cross-shaped statue that you can walk up to. From the top of this statue, the panorama extends out to sea, all the way to the other islands of the archipelago, La Désirade, Petite-Terre... The landscape is a radical change from the tropical beaches located just a few kilometers away, but it is well worth the trip.

Diving

Most diving spots are located on the west coast of Basse-Terre, from Pointe-Noire to Bouillante. Many diving clubs offer their services all around this area.

Diving conditions in Guadeloupe

Diving in the Caribbean Sea is impressive, especially in the Cousteau Reserve. Visibility is excellent (up to 25 meters), the water temperature is generally around 27°C, and the currents are weak, making it an ideal diving spot. We did all our dives in the Jacques Cousteau Marine Park around Îlet Pigeon. You will easily find diving centers providing boat transport, equipment rental, and professional guide accompaniment. The corals are in good condition and there is also abundant biodiversity to observe.

For the more adventurous, wreck diving is a must-try. Augustin Fresnel is a huge ship over 50 meters long that sank a few decades ago. By entering the wreck, you can walk through the darkness around the captain's quarters. Marine life has developed around the ship, including schools of reef fish and vibrant corals.

Of course, there are many other activities to discover in Guadeloupe. You can get off the beaten path by taking a boat to the small peripheral islands, such as Les Saintes (home to one of the most beautiful bays in the world), Marie-Galante to the south with its windmills, and La Désirade. All this information will be shared in a future post :)