Guadeloupe travel guide
Guadeloupe Tourism | Guadeloupe Guide
You're Going to Love Guadeloupe
This archipelago of islands is located in the Caribbean and offers beaches for relaxation, forests and a volcano, as well as some of the best fruits and rum in the world.
What to do in Guadeloupe
1. Relax on the Beaches in Saint-Anne
There's no place better than Saint-Anne for a beach vacation as it is home to one of the most popular beaches on the island.
2. Hike Around the La Soufriere Volcano
Active travelers will love the 2h hike around the volcano. Once at the top, there will be a close-up view of the steaming volcano and it will be possible to admire views of the whole island.
3. Explore Guadeloupe National Park
This park is located on the Basse-Terre island and is a wonderful place to see lush vegetation, waterfalls, giant ferns and local birds and animals.
4. Go Snorkeling around the Petite Terre Islands
These islands are one of the best spots for snorkeling around Guadeloupe, home to a large variety of local sea creatures, such as lemon sharks, green sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and southern stingrays.
5. Taste Some Local Rum
Guadeloupe has a huge sugar cane industry, and rum has been produced on the islands for over 300 years. It is one of the best rums in the world and a tasting at a local distillery is a must.
When to visit Guadeloupe
The best months to visit Guadeloupe are December to May as that's when the weather is dry and warm. It is best not to head there in August or September to avoid the hurricane season.
How to Get to Guadeloupe
Entry requirements
Citizens from a large number of countries, including neighboring islands, Australia, the USA, and EU countries can enter Guadeloupe for tourism purposes without a visa for up to 90 days. Citizens of any other countries need a visa prior to arrival.
Plane
Guadeloupe doesn't have its own local airline, however, around 10 airlines offer nonstop flights to and from the island, including Air Caraibes, Air France, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. For visiting other islands around the Caribbean, it is possible to get an Air Pass, which allows visitation to most of the islands.
Boat
Boat travel is available from the Martinique, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Les Saintes and Marie Galante islands, using one of the 3 available ferry companies, which are Express Des Iles, Star Ferries and Brudey Freres. Some of the ferries can also transport cars.
Popular airports in Guadeloupe
Popular airlines serving Guadeloupe
Where to stay in Guadeloupe
Hotels are available in all the main areas of Guadeloupe, but other options for accommodation are homestays, furnished bungalows and apartments.
Where to stay in popular areas of Guadeloupe
How to Get Around Guadeloupe
Public Transportation
The main form of public transportation on land is bus, while transport between the different islands is available via ferries.
Bus
Buses operate from 5:30 am until 6:30 pm from Mondays to Fridays, with less frequent service on the weekends. All bus stops have a blue sign with the picture of a bus on it, however, further away from the city, it is common practice to hail a bus wherever it passes.
Car
If looking at renting a car while in Guadeloupe, visitors will need their local driver's license, and in some cases, an international driver's permit.
Boat
Various ferries operates between the islands and are the main mode of transport. Local ferry companies include L'Express des Iles, Val'Ferry, CTM Deher, Jeans for Freedom and Navette Beatrix.
Plane
Local travel by plane is available with Air Caraibes, which runs regular flights from Pointe-A-Pitre to Marie-Galante.
The Cost of Living in Guadeloupe
An average meal in Guadeloupe will cost around €10 ($11), while a fine dining meal can cost around €45 ($50) per person. The Euro is the local currency, but US Dollars are sometimes accepted in the touristy areas. Credit cards are accepted in all major establishments, but it is best to have some cash on hand for smaller purchases.