Would you like to go to Guadeloupe? Preparing a holiday is an exciting and sometimes complex experience. In this guide you'll find all the information you need to prepare your trip step by step.
1. Date planning
First of all, you need to choose your dates taking into account the tourist season and the hurricane season. The tourist season generally runs from December to May, with a peak between December and February. The hurricane season runs from June to November. So if you come during this period, you can expect several days of rain. And your program of activities may be turned upside down.
2. Flight Booking
Then, once you've decided on the dates, it's time to book your flights. From Paris, three airlines serve Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (PTP): Air France, Corsair and Air Caraïbes. Compare prices on the different booking platforms and book your tickets in advance.
3. Budget
Then draw up a budget for your trip to Guadeloupe. You'll need to include the cost of transportation (plane ticket, car rental, boat ticket....), accommodation, food and activities. Don't forget that prices can be higher than on the mainland.
4. Hosting
Before selecting accommodation for your stay, you need to know a few geographical details about your destination:
First of all, you need to know that Guadeloupe is an archipelago comprising two main islands: Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre, which make up Guadeloupe proper. And six other islands, called dependencies:
- The Saintes archipelago, with Terre de Haut and Terre de Bas,
- Marie-Galante,
- Saint-Martin,
- Saint-Barthélemy
- La Désirade.
Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre (1,438 km2) are separated by a narrow inlet, the Rivière Salée. To the southwest lies the volcanic island of Basse-Terre (848 km²; capital of the same name). To the northeast lies the limestone island of Grande-Terre (589 km²), with Pointe-à-Pitre, the department's main city.
Grande-Terre consists of a limestone plateau with few rolling hills. To the north and east, plains open out onto cliffs that plunge into the Atlantic. To the south and west, there's the clay plain of Les Abymes, which leads to Basse-Terre via a marshy area covered in tropical vegetation (mangroves). The southern coastline is lined with sandy beaches protected by coral reefs. The main city is Pointe-à-Pitre, the economic center of Guadeloupe.
Basse-Terre is a very mountainous island, with its highest peak, La Soufrière (1,467 m), still an active volcano. Abundant rainfall has favored the development of a dense tropical forest, with rare species and tree ferns. The island is criss-crossed by numerous rivers, the largest of which (32 km) is the Grande Rivière at Goyave. Due to its volcanic nature, the island abounds in hot and sulfur springs.
In the center (north) and south of the island, you'll find the Parc National de la Guadeloupe. This magnificent sanctuary of 1,7300 hectares is home to one of the finest forests in the Lesser Antilles.
To the east and south-east of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre lie La Désirade (27 km²), Marie-Galante (158 km²), the small archipelagos of Les Saintes (13 km²) and Petite Terre. And around 250 km to the north-west, well beyond Montserrat, lie Saint-Barthélemy (25 km²) and Saint-Martin. The latter is shared with the Netherlands, with France owning the northern part (51 km²).
On the whole, it's not always easy to get from one end of the island to the other, because of the traffic. That's why it's important to choose your accommodation according to its location and the type of accommodation that suits your needs: hotels, villas, ecolodges or vacation rentals.
That's why we often recommend splitting your stay in two, with accommodation on either side. In this way, you can discover the two main islands of Guadeloupe to the full, while at the same time limiting road times, which can become very long.
5. Car rental
Public transport is scarce or even non-existent in some parts of the island. We therefore strongly recommend renting a car to explore the island and make the most of your stay in Guadeloupe. Like plane tickets, you need to book in advance. Once again, we advise you to compare the prices of different rental companies and check whether you need an international driving license.
6. Activities
Guadeloupe isn't just a sun destination, it's much more than that. It's the green destination par excellence! In fact, it offers a multitude of landscapes:
- an exceptional tropical forest, classified as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO
- National Park,
- numerous rivers (over 300 in Basse-Terre),
- peaks,
- cliffs,
- hidden handles...
There are so many things to do during your stay in Guadeloupe :
The beaches
On Grande-Terre, you'll find many white-sand beaches, such as Plage de la Caravelle and Plage de Bois Jolan in Sainte-Anne. But also the Plage du Souffleur in Port-Louis, and many others. On the Basse Terre side, the sand is a completely different color. To the north, towards the commune of Deshaies, it is a lovely golden/caramel color. You can enjoy it on the beaches of La Perle, Grande Anse, Tillet... Then, as you descend along the west coast towards the communes of Pointe-Noire, Bouillante and Vieux-Habitants, you'll find pebble beaches or coarse grey sand. And finally, to the south of Basse-Terre, in the commune of Trois-Rivières, the Grande Anse beach (yes, just like in Deshaies), where the sand is very fine and of a superb black color.
WARNING: The sun beats down hard in Guadeloupe (2.5 x stronger than in mainland France). And it's imperative to protect yourself from the sun (SPF30 to 60 cream, depending on your skin type, and a hat). You also need to moisturize regularly.
Hiking
Hiking in Guadeloupe is not very dangerous, as long as you take certain precautions:
That said, a good level of physical preparation is essential to get the most out of your trip. Hiking conditions are very different in the tropics. That's why it's very important to respect departure times as closely as possible (preferably early in the morning, never after 3.30pm): night falls very quickly in these latitudes.
And don't neglect the advice. As the sun beats down on the beach, it's important to protect yourself well (sunscreen and hat) and moisturize regularly.
And don't forget that the weather in Guadeloupe is very changeable. Even more so during the wet season (wintering) from July to December. Indeed, most of the trails involve river crossings, where water levels can rise very quickly. That's why it's essential to keep an eye on the weather.
Then, in terms of equipment, remember to bring closed shoes (but not too heavy), warm, waterproof clothing (in case of rain) and water (1 to 2 liters per person). You can also pack a few snacks (dried fruit, cereal bars, etc.).
Now that you know a little more about hiking conditions in Guadeloupe, here are a few you can plan during your stay on the island:
- A hike on the Soufrière volcano is best done with a guide. This will give you access to the active part of the volcano, which is closed to the public. You can find out more about the guided hike in these articles: Guided hike to the top of the volcano, The Soufrière volcano with children.
- Les Chutes du Carbet: One of the most impressive waterfalls in the Lesser Antilles. The first falls in two stages, with a total height of 115 m. The second fall, 110 m high, is the best-known and most accessible. The third is 20 m high. It is most impressive for its volume of water, which is the largest in Guadeloupe.
- La pointe des Châteaux
- The fall of the GalleonA forty-meter waterfall in shades of green and orange, one of the most beautiful in Guadeloupe.
- Ravine Blanche and Ravine Matilys
- Le Nez CasséA hike in the heart of the Guadeloupe National Park, surrounded by tall rainforest trees.
- Moustique Canyon An unusual hike in Moustique Canyon, through a mesophilic forest and flower plantation, before finding yourself in the heart of the rainforest.
- The cascade paradise A secret waterfall in Vieux-Habitants, after the Domaine de la Grivelière, for a swim in an unusual spot in Guadeloupe.
- The Victor Hugues trail passes through a variety of landscapes, from tropical rainforest to old sugar plantations. And offers magnificent views of the Caribbean Sea. It's a historic trail in Guadeloupe, allowing walkers to follow in the footsteps of the former commissioner of the French Republic, Victor Hugues.
Culture :
Culture and history are often intertwined. The city of Pointe à Pitre is a perfect example. Known for both its rich history and vibrant culture, it attracts visitors from all over the world. And to discover it fully, look up as you stroll its streets and admire the architecture of the old mansions.
Then head off to visit its thousand-scented market and museums, including the Saint-John Perse Museum. Located in the city's historic district, it traces the life of Guadeloupean poet and diplomat Saint-John Perse. There's also the Act Memorial, dedicated to the history, heritage and memory of the slave trade, slavery and its abolition.
Not surprisingly, you can't talk about West Indian culture without mentioning rum! There are many distilleries on Guadeloupe, so make the most of your stay on the island to visit a few and understand the importance of rum in Guadeloupe.
Here is a list of the best-known:
- The Damoiseau distillery in the commune of Le Moule
- The Longueteau distillery in the commune of Capesterre
- The Bologne distillery in Basse-Terre
- Bellevue, Bielle and Père Labat distilleries on the island of Marie-Galante
Sports and/or water activities :
Thanks to its beaches and rivers, Guadeloupe offers a wide range of sporting and/or nautical activities during your stay on the island.
Here are a few you can add to your program:
- Scuba diving: depart from Malendure beach in Bouillante to discover the Cousteau reserve
- Snorkeling: there are numerous snorkeling spots all over the island. First of all, near Malendure beach (to see the turtles). But also near the Vieux-Fort lighthouse at the southern tip of Basse-Terre. And the Pain de Sucre beach in Terre-de-Haut aux saintes. And off Anse-Mire beach in Terre-de-Haut Bay (to see a shipwreck)... Equip yourself with masks, flippers and snorkels and dive into real aquariums.
- Kayaking: discover the mangrove from Sainte-Rose. From Malendure beach in Bouillante, you can also visit ilet Pigeon in the heart of the Cousteau reserve.
- Canyoning: discover the rivers of Basse-Terre. Accessible to all, several levels are possible. Green level (for the little ones) with the aquatic hike. Then blue, for an introduction to canyoning, with the Ravine Chaude canyon. Then the red level (for the more athletic) in the Vauchelet canyon. And finally the black level, the canyon of Bois Malaisé for the more experienced
- Rent a boat and explore the surrounding islands and ilets
7. Islands around Guadeloupe
- Les Saintes An archipelago renowned for its beaches and peaceful culture.
- Marie-Galante : Known for its sugar cane fields and rum distilleries.
- La Désirade: A wilder, quieter island, ideal for a day trip.
- Petite Terre: a nature reserve to discover by the day
- Saint-Martin: the Las Vegas of the Caribbean, but not only! Also worth discovering for its beaches and hiking coastline
8. Required documents
In general, as with any trip, check your passport and identity papers. European Union citizens only need a valid identity card.
9. Health & Safety
In addition, it's imperative to check each time you travel whether any vaccinations or preventive treatments are necessary. You should also make sure you have health insurance to cover any medical expenses abroad.
10. Local cuisine
A trip to Guadeloupe is not complete without a taste of West Indian cuisine. The marriage of flavors and know-how has produced an original cuisine, and the local produce is excellent.
You probably already know
- boudin créole, accras (cod fritters with herbs or vegetable fritters),
- stuffed crabs, especially white land crabs. These are fed for a fortnight on mangoes and bananas, or coconut and chilli pepper, to spice them up naturally.
- chicken or goat colombo
- matété, the traditional Whitsun dish. Inherited from the Spanish, it's the West Indian equivalent of paella, with land crabs and rice.
- féroce, an avocado purée with minced cod and cassava flour, "fiercely" spicy
- bébélé, a Marie-Galante specialty of African origin. It's a kind of thick soup with breadfruit, tripe and country vegetables (yam, malanga and green bananas called poyos). Hearty and original!
On the seaside, you can enjoy, among other things:
- snapper, an excellent red fish. As good in court-bouillon, or blaff (macerated in lime then just seared in court-bouillon) as grilled.
- thazar (similar to tuna, but less dry),
- marlin, like thazar, can be eaten as grilled steaks, well-seared steaks or smoked.
- lobster
- chatrou (octopus), often prepared as a fricassee.
- lambi (a large mollusc that can only be caught between October and December) is usually eaten as a fricassee.
Finally, let's not forget the ouassou, which doesn't come from the sea but is a large freshwater shrimp ("king of springs") with a rather distinctive taste. It too is a rarity in Guadeloupe's waters.
Take a trip to the local markets to taste exotic fruits and buy spices with refined flavours such as :
- star anise or badiane: powerfully fragrant, star anise is especially good in fish dishes.
- Cinnamon: too often confined to sweet dishes (pies, compotes, jams). It can also be a discreet addition to pork recipes.
- Colombo: a blend of ground spices made from coriander, cumin, turmeric (which gives it its color), chili pepper and ginger.
- Nutmeg: it's actually an almond, from a fibrous bug resembling an apricot.
With careful planning, your trip to Guadeloupe will be unforgettable. Enjoy the sun, the beaches and the island's vibrant culture!
