Guadeloupe Guide

Enjoy scrumptious traditional coconut “tourment d’amour” pastry in one of the word’s most beautiful bays, while admiring a lemon shark swimming along the coast and the view on an island populated with iguanas or hike up the volcano to experience its fumaroles at an altitude of 1467 metres. If you need a quiet holiday baking in the sun, Guadeloupe probably isn’t for you!

Of course, you could spend all your time basking in the sun on the Caribbean beaches or bathing in the foam of the Atlantic ocean waves, but Guadeloupe has so much history, culture and nature that can’t be missed! IN the Petites Antilles, check out bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and small hotels or holiday rentals, which outnumber by far the huge, all included hotels on the sunny archipelago.

Guadeloupe, which is actually French territory, comprises two butterfly-shaped main islands named Basse-Terre and Grande –Terre as well the small islands of les Saintes, la Désirade and Marie-Galante.
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WHEN SHOULD I TRAVEL TO GUADELOUPE?

The Caribbean climate is tropical and temperatures are high all year, but the sea air tempers the heat. Guadeloupe has a tropical climate, which is tempered by sea air and trade winds. There are two seasons in Guadeloupe as in the neighbouring islands: the dry season called “Carême” (Lent) between January and June, and the wet season between July and December.

The average temperature is 27 °C, and there is little difference between the warmest months (25 °C - 32 °C) and the colder months (23 °C -  29 °C). Geographically, the configuration of the archipelago means there is a difference in climate between Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, Grande-Terre and its limestone plateaux are often subjected to periods of severe drought, when, at the same time, the Basse-Terre perpendicular relief to the trade winds regulates rainfall. The average water temperature is 28°C.

Administrative and customs rules and regulations:

French citizens must be in possession of a valid ID card or passport.

Travellers from the US or Canada, the EU, Norway or Switzerland need a valid passport and can remain on the territory for a maximum period of three months.  

Travellers from any country NOT mentioned above are advised to contact the French consulate for visa details.

HEALTH: There are few health warnings, however mosquitoes are definite pests! Anticipate and purchase repellent or buy some at local pharmacies or supermarkets. There is no risk of malaria. 

Safety

Tourist areas are safe in Guadeloupe, especially around hotels and holiday residences. Leaving belongings on beaches and visible objects in cars is not advisable, however. Pointe-à-Pitre has the reputation of being an unsafe city, especially at night.

Animals

For EU animals: a health certificate established no earlier than 8 days prior to travelling, anti-rabies vaccination, tattoo or chip, document showing proof of up-to-date vaccinations. Rabies is NOT a threat on the island. Animals are often not accepted in holiday rentals and hotels. For longer stays, it is preferable to consult a veterinary surgeon for appropriate worming medication.

 Banking and currency
The euro is the official currency.

Major credit cards are almost always accepted, Visa being the most common. Travellers’ Cheques are also accepted but non-local cheques are usually refused. 

Keeping a small supply of cash is necessary for small purchases. ATMs are widely available and most credit and debit cards are accepted.

Current
Standard European: 220 volts, 50 Hz, outlets are also standard European and adaptors should be used for all US or UK devices. 

Customs
Personal objects can be imported without tax or restriction (tobacco, camera, film). Dangerous objects, such are firearms, are not permitted, in any case, French law applies (prison in the tropics is far from being a fun experience!). Produce cannot be imported or exported, excepting cut flowers from an approved point of sale.  

Water
Tap water is drinkable, however, river water should not be consumed as it could be contaminated (bilharzias or schistosomiasis). There are several local brands of mineral water (Matouba, Capes, Didier) as well as imported water.

 Tourist information

Tourist offices

Main tourist office (Office Départemental du Tourisme) Phone: +590-(0)5 90 82.09.30, Fax: +590-(0)5 90 83.89.22

Tourist office of Basse-Terre (Office du Tourisme de la Basse-Terre) Phone: +590-(0)5 90 81.61.54, Fax: +590-(0)5 90 81.18.10

Tourist office of Marie-Galante (Office du Tourisme de Marie-Galante) Phone: +590-(0)5 90 97 56 51, Fax: +590-(0)5 90 97 56 54 
Email: info@ot-mariegalante.com

 Tourist office of Moule ( Syndicat d'Initiative du Moule) Phone: +590-(0)5 90 23 89 03, Fax: +590-(0)5 90 23 03 58 
Email: info@ot-lemoule.com

Tourist office of Saintes (Office Municipal du Tourisme des Saintes), Phone.: +590-(0)5 90 99 58 60 
Email: omt.lessaintes@wanadoo.fr

Tourist offices (syndicat d’initiative) open in most towns

 Transports 
Road:

Bus: different private companies connect all towns starting from Pointe-à-Pitre or Basse-Terre. Variable timetables, and stops upon request.

Taxis: although rates are set officially, they are rather high out of urban zones.

Car rental: most international companies have local representatives, it is preferable to book in advance during the high season (December – April)

Ferries:

Bound to: Saintes, Marie Galante, la Désirade, la Dominique, la Martinique, Sainte Lucie From:  Ferry terminal of Pointe-à-Pitre (Gare Maritime de Pointe-à-Pitre).

Bound to: Marie-Galante and la Désirade

From: Saint-François.

Bound to: les Saintes

From: Trois-Rivières.

Air:

Transatlantic: Air Canada, Air France, American Airlines, Corsair, Air Caraïbes, have flights for Guadeloupe.And Now Norvegian airline from Boston and newyork

Domestic: Air Caraïbes, Air Antilles Express, Liat connect the archipelago islands and the Caribbean