Guadeloupe is a tropical French Caribbean archipelago with a versatile landscape of white-sand beaches, blue sea, waterfalls, hot springs, volcanoes, and mountains covered with tropical forests. Therefore, diving and hiking are among the most popular activities in Guadeloupe. In the modern cities and luxurious beach resorts of Guadeloupe you can taste the delicious Creole cuisine and local rum. The relaxed atmosphere on these French-speaking paradise islands is a fascinating blend of French and Caribbean traditions.
Guadeloupe’s numerous beaches are good for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. The best palm fringed white sand beaches by tranquil, turquoise waters can be found around Gosier and St-Francois on Grande-Terre. The hotel beaches have good facilities and they are open to everyone. If you are looking for tranquil, almost untouched beaches, head for the small black-sand beaches in Basse-Terre.
The rich underwater world around Guadeloupe with coral reefs and abundant colorful species of fish provide good opportunities for snorkeling and diving in Guadeloupe. If you are not interested in snorkeling or scuba diving, you can also take glass-bottom boat tours in Guadeloupe. The small nearby islands of Iles des Saintes and Marie-Galante with fine, tranquil beaches are popular daytrip destinations. It is here you can get in touch with the traditional unhurried Caribbean way of life.
Island towns. Basse-Terre is the administrative capital of Guadeloupe. There is an impressive fort of Delgrès as well as several historical monuments, colonial buildings and outdoor markets in the city. Pointe-à-Pitre is the economical capital of Guadeloupe located in the Grande-Terre. The city houses several museums, churches and an aquarium. The authentic colonial town of Le Moule hosts historic buildings and a beautiful harbor. Both Basse-Terre and Pointe-à-Pitre offer good opportunities for shopping in Guadeloupe.
Visitor services. Tourism is one of the key industries in Guadeloupe, which receives visitors from all over the world. There are good facilities for holidaymakers in Guadeloupe.
Volcanoes, waterfalls and white sand beaches in Guadeloupe
The Caribbean paradise archipelago that is officially a part of France, Guadeloupe is made up of two main islands, Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. They are separated by a narrow sea channel named Salt River. There are white sand beaches, rolling hills and flat plains in Grande-Terre, whereas the landmark of the mountainous Basse-Terre is the magnificent volcano of La Soufrière, rising to 1,440 meters. The spectacular Garbet Falls in the jungle of Basse-Terre are one of the main attractions in Guadeloupe. The magnificent unspoiled tropical scenery and dramatic landscape are best explored by hiking in Guadeloupe. There are many beautiful scenic points and waterfalls such as Carbet Falls to admire. You can also sail, surf, kayak or play golf in Guadeloupe.Guadeloupe’s numerous beaches are good for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. The best palm fringed white sand beaches by tranquil, turquoise waters can be found around Gosier and St-Francois on Grande-Terre. The hotel beaches have good facilities and they are open to everyone. If you are looking for tranquil, almost untouched beaches, head for the small black-sand beaches in Basse-Terre.
The rich underwater world around Guadeloupe with coral reefs and abundant colorful species of fish provide good opportunities for snorkeling and diving in Guadeloupe. If you are not interested in snorkeling or scuba diving, you can also take glass-bottom boat tours in Guadeloupe. The small nearby islands of Iles des Saintes and Marie-Galante with fine, tranquil beaches are popular daytrip destinations. It is here you can get in touch with the traditional unhurried Caribbean way of life.
Island towns. Basse-Terre is the administrative capital of Guadeloupe. There is an impressive fort of Delgrès as well as several historical monuments, colonial buildings and outdoor markets in the city. Pointe-à-Pitre is the economical capital of Guadeloupe located in the Grande-Terre. The city houses several museums, churches and an aquarium. The authentic colonial town of Le Moule hosts historic buildings and a beautiful harbor. Both Basse-Terre and Pointe-à-Pitre offer good opportunities for shopping in Guadeloupe.
Practical information for your trip to Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe consists of several Eastern Caribbean islands located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago enjoys a pleasant, humid subtropical climate with mild winds called alizés. The mountainous regions of Guadeloupe receive more rain than the coastal areas. The rainy season in Guadeloupe lasts from July to November. During the rainy season the islands are prone to hurricanes which have caused remarkable damages in Guadeloupe.Visitor services. Tourism is one of the key industries in Guadeloupe, which receives visitors from all over the world. There are good facilities for holidaymakers in Guadeloupe.
Photo: Manuel I MC, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
The majority of the hotels in Guadeloupe have a convenient location near to the beautiful beaches. In the restaurants in Guadeloupe you can enjoy the famous, delicious Creole cuisine. After the dinner you can dive into the lively nightlife in Guadeloupe.
How to get there. The easiest way to travel to Guadeloupe is by air. There are regular flights to Guadeloupe from North America, France and from many Caribbean islands. The Caribbean islands of Martinique, Dominica and St Lucia provide also ferry connections to Guadeloupe. Travelling by ferry is an ideal way of viewing the beautiful archipelago.
Local transport. Guadeloupe has a good network of cheap buses between the major cities and towns. Taxis are widely available but they tend to be quite expensive. Car rental in Guadeloupe is a good option if you want to explore the paradise islands on your own. You can also rent a motorcycle, a scooter or a bicycle.
Safety. Guadeloupe is a relatively safe destination, but it is advisable to avoid walking alone after dark. As there have been riots and a general strike in Guadeloupe recently, it is wise to check the current news from the area before travelling to Guadeloupe.
History and culture of Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe was originally inhabited by the Carib Indians. The beautiful Caribbean archipelago was discovered by Columbus in 1493. The French Colonists arrived in Guadeloupe in 1635, wiping out the majority of the Carib Indians. Guadeloupe was under the British occupation several times in the 18th century. In the treaty of Vienna in 1816 Guadeloupe was finally acknowledged a French overseas territory. Today, the majority of the inhabitants in Guadeloupe are of African origin but there are European and Indian minorities as well. Colorful clothing, jewelry, music and dance are an important part of the Guadeloupean culture. As French is the official language in Guadeloupe and only few locals understand English it is advisable to learn the basic phrases in French.hint See also these nearby destinations: Dominica, Martinique
