Travel

…eloupe is a French overseas department, benefiting from the common currency (the euro) and the French language, but also Creole, which is deeply rooted in everyday life. American, Caribbean, European, and Indian influences can be seen in the architecture of Creole houses, churches rebuilt after hurricanes, military fortifications, cuisine combining spices, tubers, and tropical fruits, as well as in popular festivals, including the carnival, which attracts tens of thousands of spectators every year.

Practical information before departure

Guadeloupe is accessible by air from Europe (notably Paris-Orly) and North America. A direct flight from Paris to Pointe-à-Pitre takes approximately 8.5 hours and can cost between €400 and €900 depending on the season. The currency is the euro, and French is the official language. The climate is tropical, with a dry season from December to May, characterized by stable temperatures between 75°F and 82°F, less rainfall, and calmer seas. The wet season, from June to November, sees an increase in humidity, more rain, and a risk of hurricanes between August and October.

In terms of budget, plan on spending between €70 and €120 per day per person (accommodation, meals, activities) for a moderately comfortable stay. Accommodation options include hotels (from €60 to €200 per night), guesthouses (between €50 and €100), seasonal rentals, bungalows, and even eco-lodges in the heart of nature. Car rental, which is highly recommended for getting around easily, costs between €30 and €50 per day. Fuel is slightly more expensive than in mainland France, but distances are short: it usually takes between 1 and 1.5 hours to drive across an island.

Choosing the best season

The ideal time to travel to Guadeloupe is from December to May, when the dry season offers less chance of rain, clearer seas, water temperatures between 79°F and 84°F, and favorable conditions for hiking, diving, or exploring neighboring islands. Between February and March, carnival brings the towns to life, while the Christmas period features colorful markets, traditional carols, and local gourmet products (Christmas ham, blood sausage, coconut sorbets).

June to November, the wet season, has a more unpredictable climate: frequent showers, thunderstorms, stronger Atlantic swells, and the risk of cyclones between August and October. Flight and accommodation prices are often lower during this period, and travelers who are willing to adapt can enjoy less crowded sites, lush vegetation, and an abundance of tropical fruits (mango, guava, Victoria pineapple).

Accommodation on site

Guadeloupe offers a wide range of accommodation options: beachfront hotel clubs, hotel residences, bed and breakfasts, rural cottages in the countryside, villas with swimming pools, and tourist apartments in town. Three- and four-star hotels on Grande-Terre, near Sainte-Anne or Saint-François, offer a range of services (swimming pool, restaurant, bar, direct access to the beach). The cottages, often certified, allow you to immerse yourself in local life, with hosts recommending hikes, markets, and secret beaches. Rates vary depending on the season, location, and standard. It is advisable to book several months in advance during high season.

Flights and internal transportation

International flights land at Pôle Caraïbes Airport, near Pointe-à-Pitre. Several regional airlines then connect Marie-Galante, Les Saintes, or La Désirade by plane (15- to 20-minute flights), or ferries provide the connection (between 30 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes depending on the destination). Renting a car at the airport is the most practical solution, especially since public transportation remains limited. The main roads are in good condition, but some tracks leading to waterfalls or hiking trails require careful driving. French traffic regulations apply, with speed limits of 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h outside built-up areas. Taxis and private hire vehicles are available, but they are expensive.

Must-see attractions

Guadeloupe consists of two main islands, Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre, plus several smaller islands (Marie-Galante, Les Saintes, La Désirade).

• Among the most popular sites is La Soufrière, an active volcano rising to 1,467 m, which offers a 360° panorama of the archipelago after a 1.5 to 2-hour hike.
• The Carbet Falls, up to 110 m high, can be admired via a specially constructed trail.
• The beaches of Grande-Terre (Caravelle, Bois Jolan, Raisins Clairs) charm visitors with their white sand, while those of Basse-Terre (Malendure, Grande Anse) boast golden or black volcanic sand, ideal for observing turtles and tropical fish.
• The Cousteau Reserve near the Pigeon Islets is a diving paradise, with over 300 species of reef fish, corals, gorgonians, and sometimes hawksbill turtles.

On the cultural side, distilleries (Damoiseau, Longueteau, Bologne, Reimonenq) showcase the history of rum and sugar cane, and offer tastings. The ACTe Memorial in Pointe-à-Pitre explores the memory of slavery and the slave trade in a 7,000 m² modern exhibition space. The markets of Pointe-à-Pitre, Basse-Terre, and Sainte-Anne showcase spices, tropical fruits, flavored rums, and local crafts. Patron saint festivals, carnival, gwo-ka music, Creole singing, and Creole cuisine (accras, colombo, boudin, fish court-bouillon) complete the experience.

What to do in a week (7 days) ?

In seven days, focus on the essentials of Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre.

• Day 1 : Settling in, visit to the Pointe-à-Pitre market, fruit and spice tasting.
• Day 2 : Sainte-Anne Beach, swimming, snorkeling, then excursion to Pointe des Châteaux for sunset.
• Day 3 : Hike on Basse-Terre, for example to the Cascade aux Écrevisses waterfall, accessible in a few minutes, then lunch at a local restaurant.
• Day 4 : Climb up La Soufrière (plan to leave early in the morning), soak in the hot springs at Les Bains Jaunes, then chill out on Grande Anse beach in Deshaies in the afternoon.
• Day 5 : Diving day or introductory diving lesson at Malendure (Cousteau Reserve), turtle watching.
• Day 6 : Visit to a distillery (Damoiseau or Longueteau), discovery of the rum-making process, tasting, then local market for souvenir shopping (spices, punches).
• Day 7 : Catamaran trip in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin, islets, mangroves, snorkeling.

What to do in ten days ?

With 10 days, add excursions to Marie-Galante or Les Saintes :

• Days 1 to 7 : Follow the weekly program.
• Day 8 : Ferry crossing to Les Saintes (30 to 60 minutes), exploration of Terre-de-Haut, ranked among the most beautiful bays in the world, tasting of tourments d'amour (local pastries), visit to Fort Napoleon.
• Day 9 : Return to Basse-Terre, explore the National Park, Grand Étang trail, bird watching, freshwater springs, rare plants.
• Day 10 : Relaxing day on a secluded beach, kayaking trip in the mangroves (Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin) or coastal walk, followed by an evening at a Creole restaurant.

Fifteen days to explore in depth

In 15 days, you can discover Marie-Galante, La Désirade, Les Saintes, combining beaches, more technical hikes, Creole cooking classes, visits to several distilleries, additional museums, and more :

• Days 1 to 7 : First week program.
• Days 8 to 10 : After Les Saintes, take the ferry to Marie-Galante (about 1 hour), a rural island producing rum (Poisson distillery, Père Labat), deserted beaches (Feuillère), old mills, peaceful atmosphere.
• Days 11 to 12 : Return to Grande-Terre, day of surfing or kitesurfing in Le Moule, Creole cooking class (introduction to colombo, accras, coconut flan), Saint-François market, excursion to La Désirade by ferry (45 min) to explore a preserved island with few tourists and nature reserves.
• Days 13 to 14 : More challenging hikes, for example to the Carbet Falls (more difficult to access), canyon exploration (canyoning possible with a guide), or mountain biking in the banana plantations.
• Day 15 : Last-minute shopping, relaxing on a beach near the airport, sampling coconut punch or aged rum, reflecting on the trip.

Additional activities

Guadeloupe is not just about beaches and hiking. Water sports enthusiasts will find surfing spots in Le Moule, windsurfing and kitesurfing in Saint-François, and paddleboarding in the calm lagoons. Sea kayaking allows you to explore the mangroves and seagrass beds and observe starfish, sea cucumbers, and boxfish. Big game fishing trips (marlin, tuna, wahoo) from Saint-François or Rivière-Sens add a fishing dimension. Traditional dance classes (gwo-ka) and visits to botanical parks (Deshaies Botanical Garden, Valombreuse Floral Park) enrich the cultural dimension.

Tips and best practices

During the dry season, bring a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent (mosquitoes are more common in humid areas), non-slip walking shoes for muddy trails, and a mask and snorkel for snorkeling. Drink plenty of water, at least 1 liter per hour of hiking. Fresh fruit (pineapple, passion fruit, bananas) is abundant, and local fruit juices (guava, tamarind) are refreshing. Mosquito bites require insect repellent, and sunburn requires a minimum SPF 30 sunscreen. Tap water is drinkable in most parts of the archipelago.

For flights, booking 3 to 6 months in advance will get you the best rates. Once you arrive, rent a car online before departure, check your insurance coverage, and choose a reputable agency. Mountain roads, especially on Basse-Terre, are winding, so adjust your speed accordingly. At markets, compare prices, taste before buying, and talk to vendors to learn about the seasonality of products. Transactions are made in euros, credit cards are accepted in stores, but bring some cash for small purchases.

Extend the cultural experience

Guadeloupe offers cultural events throughout the year: carnival from January to March, patron saint festivals (each municipality has its own), agricultural fairs, regattas, gwo-ka concerts, and storytelling walks in the forest. Museums enrich their collections and organize temporary exhibitions. Distilleries launch special vintages, cocktail workshops, and sensory discoveries. Gourmet restaurants showcase the Caribbean terroir, combining seafood, tropical fruits, spices, and aged rum in dishes with subtle flavors. Some guides offer tours combining hiking, thermal baths, lunch with locals, learning a few words of Creole, and visits to local artisans.

Adaptation to conditions and constraints

As Guadeloupe is a French department, the formalities for European Union nationals are limited to a valid identity card or passport. No specific vaccinations are required, but it is advisable to be up to date with routine vaccinations. Mosquito nets, available in some accommodations, provide protection during the night. Sudden rainfall during the wet season requires a light raincoat. In the event of a hurricane, local authorities issue alerts, recommend staying indoors, and following safety instructions.

Prices are higher during the peak tourist season (December to April) but drop during the off-season, allowing for longer stays on the same budget. However, rough seas and rain can limit certain activities. Consider the type of trip you want (beaches, diving, culture, gastronomy, hiking) and choose the season accordingly to make the most of your stay.

A multifaceted archipelago

Guadeloupe charms visitors with its diversity. Grande-Terre, with its limestone terrain, white sand beaches, seaside atmosphere, water sports spots, and lively markets. Basse-Terre, more volcanic, with tropical forests, waterfalls, hiking trails, diving on the Caribbean side, and traditional distilleries. Marie-Galante, land of windmills, sugar cane fields, and rural tranquility. Les Saintes, a listed bay, charming fishing villages, and panoramic hills. La Désirade, a less touristy island, geological reserve, limestone cliffs, and peaceful atmosphere.

These contrasts justify a minimum stay of one week for an overview, but 10 to 15 days allow for a deeper immersion. This way, you can multiply the pleasures: taste a 10-year-old rum, dive with turtles, climb a volcano, sip coconut punch on a secluded beach, dance to gwo-ka rhythms, watch birds in the mangroves, learn about the archipelago's complex history in a modern museum, enjoy a goat colombo, and feel the power of cultural diversity at local festivals.