Discover the fun of Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean, with highlights including beautiful beaches, waterfalls, rum distilleries and jungle hiking...
About Guadeloupe Islands
Located in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, Guadeloupe is a French archipelago whose rich heritage and natural beauty make it the perfect location for those who are planning an enjoyable vacation away from the crowds. winter. With a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a number of pristine beaches, waterfalls and hiking trails, you'll never run out of Guadeloupe travel experiences.
Guadeloupe Island in the Caribbean. Photo @travelrebel.be
Nicknamed the “Pearl of the French Caribbean” and “Karukera” or “The Place of Beautiful Waters” by the locals, Guadeloupe can offer you a wide range of exciting activities that will make your holiday you become unique.
The Guadeloupe Islands are a French archipelago of five islands in the Caribbean, with Montserrat and Antigua to the north and Dominica to the south. The official language of Guadeloupe is French, although most of the population can also speak Creole. Guadeloupe has long been a familiar destination for French tourists. Guadeloupe has a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 26 to 30 degrees Celsius, so the weather is beautiful all year round. Each island of Guadeloupe has a distinct landscape and diverse biodiversity, so you should visit all of the islands if possible.
Beach on the island of Guadeloupe. Photo @Anna Please
There are five islands in total, or five island regions: Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie Galante, La Desirade and Les Saintes. Les Saintes is actually an archipelago of nine islets and only two of them are inhabited (Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas). With the two largest islands, Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre, join together to form a butterfly.
Guadeloupe is an overseas island administered by France, so it is part of Europe and you will hear French speaking and spending euros. But the island also has a pungent side, with Creole dishes, annual spring carnivals and lots of rum.
Guadeloupe has a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 26 to 30 degrees Celsius. Photo @The Knot
Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre are separated only by mangroves, and since they are fully developed, you can reach these two islands by highway while the three smaller islands can be reached by ferry.
Here is a basic overview of island tourism Guadeloupe!
Tourist places in the island Guadeloupe
Pointe-à-Pitre
Pointe-A-Pitre is a town located in the middle of Guadeloupe, on the island of Grande-Terre. This town is famous for attracting tourists with its lively streets, museums, markets and colonial buildings dating back hundreds of years. The city is vibrant, colorful and has an incredible architectural heritage with many well-preserved historic buildings. Take a stroll through the city to discover some masterpieces of street art, some interesting museums, lots of shops, markets and restaurants.
The town of Pointe-à-Pitre. Photo @heartforwander
From Monday to Saturday, you can find crowded morning markets like the Marché de la Darse selling fresh fish and exotic fruits. If you're up for shopping, visit Saint-Antoine's Market, which has many stalls selling a variety of Creole goods and trinkets.
Make time for the Saint-John Perse Museum or the ACTe Memorial Museum. The latter was first opened in 2015 and functions as a cultural center dedicated to the Memory and History of the Slave Trade.
Pointe des Châteaux
The Pointe des Châteaux is a peninsula at the eastern point of the Grande Terre in Guadeloupe, where the Atlantic Ocean collides with the Caribbean Sea. The rock formations, strong winds and crashing waves make it a popular tourist destination. There is a 10-meter-high cross at the top of the Pointes des Châteaux. You can climb there for some really great views!
Pointe des Châteaux. Photo @Bucketlist Bri
Parque Nacional da Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe National Park is the seventh largest national park in France. It was the largest forest in the Lesser Antilles. One of the main goals of the national park is to return the Antilles manatee to its natural habitat. This manatee is almost extinct and disappeared from Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin Bay in the last century.
Explore the area and come across some of the wildlife that roam in its natural habitat. You can spot everything from mongooses to curious raccoons, hummingbirds and sticky insects camouflaged on tree bark and branches.
One of the highlights in this national park is the majestic Carbet Falls, one of the tourist attractions in Guadeloupe. Even Christopher Columbus himself was so amazed at the sight of these three waterfalls that he included them in his ship's log during his trip to the archipelago.
Guadeloupe National Park. Photo @travelrebel.be
If you're physically fit and don't mind embarking on a challenging and steep hike, go ahead and follow the trails towards the first waterfall that falls from 110 meters above you. At an altitude of 900 meters, it will take you about three hours to go all the way.
Les Saintes
Les Saintes consists of nine smaller islands, two of which are inhabited and named Terre-de-Bas and Terre-de-Haut. This Caribbean paradise is filled with lush nature and small towns where you can enjoy hours of relaxation at beach bars and restaurants.
The island is also where you can find the world famous Les Saintes Bay. You can take a stroll along the area or go hiking until you reach the fortress of Napoleon, a historic structure perched on top of a hill, 114 meters above sea level. Before leaving Les Saintes, don't forget to indulge in a Tourment d'amour, a sweet treat native to the island. The cake looks like a soft tart filled with delicious fruit jam.
Islands in Les Saintes. Photo @Lonely Planet
Relax on beautiful beaches
There are many sandy beaches throughout the Guadeloupe archipelago of different colors: white sand, black sand, red sand and pink sand. If you are in dire need of a few hours of relaxation just lounging on the beach, then head to Grande Anse Salines beach. Located near the seaside town of St. Francois, this unspoiled beach offers direct views of the soft, white sand ocean, brilliant turquoise waters and stunning views of La Desirade.
Or Malendure beach on Basse-Terre Island, which is famous for its black sand. If you thought the sight of dark sand combined with clear water was impressive, wait until you dive underwater, where you'll see schools of colorful fish and turtles swimming around .
A beautiful beach on the island. Photo @Experience Transat
Visit a protected nature reserve
The Guadeloupe Islands are a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve because it has one of the highest rates of biodiversity in the world. It has 300 species of trees, 270 varieties of ferns and 90 varieties of orchids. There are also 11 different species of mammals, 28 species of birds, 11 species of bats, and its native bird, the Black Woodpecker.
View of La Desirade. Photo @justinpluslauren
History & culture experience
When you visit Guadeloupe, there are many historical sites, museums, and aspects of local culture that you can explore. For example the Moule market in Basse-Terre takes place every Wednesday, starting at 2:00pm. This is one of the most authentic markets you will visit with many local products, locally produced handicrafts and you will hear the sounds of Gwo Ka.
Try fruit at the local market. Photo @justinpluslauren
For a historical excursion, the Fortress of Napoleon on Terre-de-Haut (Les Saintes) sits atop a hill with sweeping views all around. There is a small museum where you can learn more about the history and nature of the island. Take some time to walk around the grounds and browse the museum, taking a guided tour if you want to learn more.
Long walk
Guadeloupe is a very lush and green island, which means it is a very natural destination for hiking. There are national parks, nature reserves and waterfalls. In addition to those protected spaces, there are a few popular sites, for example there are more than 10 kilometers of hiking trails on Terre de Bas island, which offer stunning views and diverse flora. There are four well-marked trails that take anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours to hike.
You can also visit Pointe de la Grande Vigie which is the northernmost point of Grande-Terre and the Guadeloupe archipelago. You can admire the steep limestone cliffs and panoramic sea views. There are also a number of marked hiking trails.
Hiking to the waterfall. Photo @Amoureux du Monde
Snorkeling at Cousteau . reserve
In the Pigeon Islands, Cousteau Reserve is a protected underwater sanctuary with schools of colorful fish and impressive coral reefs. It covers about 400 hectares and is a great place for scuba diving or snorkeling. You can see turtles, eels, crayfish, seahorses and reef sponges.
In addition to snorkeling and scuba diving, there are many opportunities to try unique water sports in Guadeloupe. Spending time in the water with some activity like on a kayak, boat or board is one of the best reasons to visit Guadeloupe.
Cousteau Reserve. Photo @justinpluslauren
Enjoy the food
The local cuisine in Guadeloupe reflects the influence of many cultures. Its Creole specialties offer a fusion of French ingenuity and African spices, with a hint of East Indian and Southeast Asian flavors added. Fresh seafood is a must-try on this island nation, and other recommended dishes include conch stew, stuffed earth crab and a variety of curries.
From Monday to Saturday, you can find crowded morning markets like the Marché de la Darse selling fresh fish and exotic fruits. If you're up for shopping, visit Saint-Antoine's market, which has many stalls selling a variety of Creole goods and trinkets.
Guadeloupe's signature dish. Photo @Islands
Stay at a beautiful hotel or resort
Make your stay in Guadeloupe extra special by choosing a beautiful resort or hotel. Many hotels have beautiful beaches, interesting restaurants and spas. In Sainte-Anne, for example, La Toubana Hotel & Spa is a five-star hotel with stunning sea views, bright suites and chalets, and a spacious spa. Features a swimming pool, free Wi-Fi and a cocktail bar overlooking the clear blue water. With a prime location and great facilities, you'll probably never want to leave!
La Touba Hotel & Spa. Photo @toubana
At Le Gosier, La Creole Beach Hotel & Spa offers 4-star luxury amid a tropical setting. In the midst of tropical gardens near the beach, you can enjoy sea or garden views from your room. There is a swimming pool, an on-site restaurant and many cafes and bars in nearby Le Gosier. The location is perfect for those who want to experience the island.
