Location Guadeloupe is lying in the midst of the Caribbean Sea, towards the
southeast of Puerto Rico. Guadeloupe is constituted with five major islands:
Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre (alienated from Basse-Terre through a salt river), La
Désirade, Les Saintes, Marie-Galante. Towards the north, Saint-Barthélemy and
Saint Martin belong to the authoritative power of Guadeloupe.
Area 1,780 sq km (687 sq mi).
Climate December to May are Dry Season. June to November are Humid in
nature. Average temperature in the coastal region can ascend from 22C to 30C.
It is comparatively cooler in the rain forests and in the high-elevated areas.
Time Atlantic Standard Time, US EST -1, GMT -4. year-round. When daylight
saving time is in effect in the U.S., clocks in New York and Guadeloupe show the
same time.
Population Approx 452,000.
Language French. English is spoken in major tourist centers.
Religions Roman Catholic (95%), Hindu & pantheistic African.
Capital Basse-Terre.
Government Overseas department of France.
Entry Requirements No Visa is required. You must carry a valid passport with
photograph, and a two-way air ticket, to enter and stay on Guadeloupe as a
tourist.
Currency Euro (€).
Banking Hours Mo-Fr 8am-noon & 2pm-4pm. There are about a dozen banks in
Pointe-à-Pitre, most with ATMs (“Distributeurs des billets”). Major credit cards
are widely accepted in towns. On tour inlands: bring cash.
Medical Treatment / Health care There are five modern hospitals on
Guadeloupe, plus about two dozen clinics. Hotels and the Guadeloupe tourist
office can assist in locating English-speaking doctors. The pharmacies carry
French medicines, and most over-the-counter U.S. drugs have French
equivalents. Prescribed medicines can be purchased if you have the
prescription with you.
Vaccinations are not needed. Eat and drink freely.
Drinking Water Stick to bottled water only.
What to Wear Lightweight or tropical, cottons all year round. Light raincoats are
useful during the wet season. Casual summer wear can be worn during the day
any time of the year; but be sure to bring a jacket or sweater for cooler evenings.
Beach clothing is inappropriate in churches, restaurants...
What to Bring Film and video cassettes, batteries… anything that is “special”.
Local stores carry a good selection of most items.
Cellular phones / Internet It's always advisable to call your service provider
before you leave your county of origin. Direct international call from hotel room,
hotel internet service and internet cafés.
What to buy Shopping: Excellent buys on luxury items with Made-in-France
labels (perfume, jewelry, clothing and accessories, china, crystal, etc.), are
available in Guadeloupe. Additional discounts may be provided in some shops
if payment is made by travellers check or with certain credit cards. Champagnes
and wines from France, as well as imported cheeses, patés and other
delicacies line the shelves of small grocery stores as well as the modern
supermarchés. In addition to these, there are very good local products that
make fine gifts: dark and light rums, coffee beans, unusual spices, handicrafts
in pottery, straw, and wicker, hand-painted fabrics and handmade lace. The
traditional markets of Pointe-à-Pitre are animated open-air bazaars that contrast
nicely with the chic little boutiques snuggled into city streets.
Shops and stores are generally open Mo-Fr 9am-1pm and 3pm-6pm daily, as
well as on Saturday mornings. Most stores are closed on Sundays and holidays.
Tipping Restaurants always add a 15% service charge, and no additional tip is
needed. Most taxi drivers who own their own cars do not expect a tip; if they've
been especially helpful with your luggage, you might give them an additional
10%.
Transport Local buses, taxis, car rentals available throughout the country.
Taxi Recommended on short distances.
Traffic Drive to the right. Streets/roads can be crowded. Conditions on roads
vary.
Driving License Foreign and international licenses are accepted.
Electricity 220 A.C./ 50 cycles (bring adapter if needed for your appliances).
Criminality Guadeloupe is relatively free of serious crime. But don't go
wandering alone at night on the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre; by nightfall they are
relatively deserted and might be dangerous. Take the obvious measures you
are used to: use the hotel’s safe for any valuables, precious jewelries, cash, etc;
don’t leave wallets, purses, cameras, etc out of sight; don’t leave valuables
visible in your parked car.
NOTE It is prohibited to collect and export any kind of coral stones and shells!
southeast of Puerto Rico. Guadeloupe is constituted with five major islands:
Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre (alienated from Basse-Terre through a salt river), La
Désirade, Les Saintes, Marie-Galante. Towards the north, Saint-Barthélemy and
Saint Martin belong to the authoritative power of Guadeloupe.
Area 1,780 sq km (687 sq mi).
Climate December to May are Dry Season. June to November are Humid in
nature. Average temperature in the coastal region can ascend from 22C to 30C.
It is comparatively cooler in the rain forests and in the high-elevated areas.
Time Atlantic Standard Time, US EST -1, GMT -4. year-round. When daylight
saving time is in effect in the U.S., clocks in New York and Guadeloupe show the
same time.
Population Approx 452,000.
Language French. English is spoken in major tourist centers.
Religions Roman Catholic (95%), Hindu & pantheistic African.
Capital Basse-Terre.
Government Overseas department of France.
Entry Requirements No Visa is required. You must carry a valid passport with
photograph, and a two-way air ticket, to enter and stay on Guadeloupe as a
tourist.
Currency Euro (€).
Banking Hours Mo-Fr 8am-noon & 2pm-4pm. There are about a dozen banks in
Pointe-à-Pitre, most with ATMs (“Distributeurs des billets”). Major credit cards
are widely accepted in towns. On tour inlands: bring cash.
Medical Treatment / Health care There are five modern hospitals on
Guadeloupe, plus about two dozen clinics. Hotels and the Guadeloupe tourist
office can assist in locating English-speaking doctors. The pharmacies carry
French medicines, and most over-the-counter U.S. drugs have French
equivalents. Prescribed medicines can be purchased if you have the
prescription with you.
Vaccinations are not needed. Eat and drink freely.
Drinking Water Stick to bottled water only.
What to Wear Lightweight or tropical, cottons all year round. Light raincoats are
useful during the wet season. Casual summer wear can be worn during the day
any time of the year; but be sure to bring a jacket or sweater for cooler evenings.
Beach clothing is inappropriate in churches, restaurants...
What to Bring Film and video cassettes, batteries… anything that is “special”.
Local stores carry a good selection of most items.
Cellular phones / Internet It's always advisable to call your service provider
before you leave your county of origin. Direct international call from hotel room,
hotel internet service and internet cafés.
What to buy Shopping: Excellent buys on luxury items with Made-in-France
labels (perfume, jewelry, clothing and accessories, china, crystal, etc.), are
available in Guadeloupe. Additional discounts may be provided in some shops
if payment is made by travellers check or with certain credit cards. Champagnes
and wines from France, as well as imported cheeses, patés and other
delicacies line the shelves of small grocery stores as well as the modern
supermarchés. In addition to these, there are very good local products that
make fine gifts: dark and light rums, coffee beans, unusual spices, handicrafts
in pottery, straw, and wicker, hand-painted fabrics and handmade lace. The
traditional markets of Pointe-à-Pitre are animated open-air bazaars that contrast
nicely with the chic little boutiques snuggled into city streets.
Shops and stores are generally open Mo-Fr 9am-1pm and 3pm-6pm daily, as
well as on Saturday mornings. Most stores are closed on Sundays and holidays.
Tipping Restaurants always add a 15% service charge, and no additional tip is
needed. Most taxi drivers who own their own cars do not expect a tip; if they've
been especially helpful with your luggage, you might give them an additional
10%.
Transport Local buses, taxis, car rentals available throughout the country.
Taxi Recommended on short distances.
Traffic Drive to the right. Streets/roads can be crowded. Conditions on roads
vary.
Driving License Foreign and international licenses are accepted.
Electricity 220 A.C./ 50 cycles (bring adapter if needed for your appliances).
Criminality Guadeloupe is relatively free of serious crime. But don't go
wandering alone at night on the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre; by nightfall they are
relatively deserted and might be dangerous. Take the obvious measures you
are used to: use the hotel’s safe for any valuables, precious jewelries, cash, etc;
don’t leave wallets, purses, cameras, etc out of sight; don’t leave valuables
visible in your parked car.
NOTE It is prohibited to collect and export any kind of coral stones and shells!
| Västindien |
“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list” SUSAN SONTAG
© Tord Elfwendahl
Guadeloupe
What to do on Guadeloupe Chutes de Carbet Waterfalls You can drive up to the lookout, to get a first gorgeous view on this magnificent waterfalls – altogether three, highest 115m/377ft. It’s worth spending a couple of hours hiking the rainforest to get really close! Parc National de la Guadeloupe A 17,300-hectare (42,731-acre) forest reserve in the interior of Basse-Terre. Amongst all most interesting speces of flora & fauna, you’ll recognize the fern- covered hillsides, impressive bamboo’s and huge mahogany and gum trees. Diving / Snorkeling The waters surrounding Pigeon Island are protected as the Réserve Cousteau – commemorating famous underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau, who put attention on what he believed to be a world's top dive site. Musee Du Rhum Located in the village of Bellevue, the museum tells about all on sugar cane cultivation and rum production. Besides from the old distillery, tools & gears & machines for cane-extraction the collection also includes model ships. Apart from it all, there is a display of giant insects originating from around the globe. Le Moule Used to be the French capital of Guadeloupe. The little town has kept its authentically, Caribbean atmosphere – gathered on a busy main street, the fish market, and a scenic harbor. Guadeloupe's archeological museum, display islands native Indian history. Baie du Moule, west of town, is a surfers place. Marie-Galante Untouched from mass tourism, small island Marie- Galante offer great beaches. And, sugar cane plantations. Few minutes by boat. |
© 2006 AbsoluteCaribbean/all rights reserved. Us of this website constitutes acceptance of AbsoluteCaribbean Last update 4.2 2008
Our hotels on Guadeloupe
Hotel La Toubana * * * *
La Creole Beach Hotel & Resort * * * *
Yucca Residence (Apartments) * * *
Le Mahogany Hotel & Residence * * *
Le Jardin Malanga * * *
Le Golf Marine Hotel * * *
Hotel La Toubana * * * *
La Creole Beach Hotel & Resort * * * *
Yucca Residence (Apartments) * * *
Le Mahogany Hotel & Residence * * *
Le Jardin Malanga * * *
Le Golf Marine Hotel * * *
