Introducing Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe mixes the best of France – a fully modern infrastructure and fantastic food – with a local culture that people here are proud of and want to share. Guadeloupe’s two main islands look like the wings of a butterfly and are joined together by a mangrove swamp. Grande-Terre, the eastern wing of the island, has a string of beach towns that offer visitors every variety of fun in the sun known to humankind. From surfing schools to beach bars to long stretches of beautiful sand where azure water laps at the toes of French mademoiselles, it’s all here.
Basse-Terre, the western wing, is home to the national park, crowned by La Soufrière volcano. Hiking trails and a Jacques Cousteau underwater reserve offer adventure for those who want more go than slow in their holidays. But for the gourmets and sun worshippers there are still plenty of places to recharge while everyone else tires themselves out. South of the butterfly-shaped ‘mainland’ of Guadeloupe are a number of small archipelagos that give a taste of Guadeloupe’s yesteryear. Ranging from sheer chill on La Désirade to the cosmopolitan Terre-de-Haut and the largely rural Marie-Galante, the smaller islands each have their own character and round out the long list of ingredients that make Guadeloupe.
While it’s one of the more developed islands in the Caribbean – those arriving at the thoroughly modern airport might be in for a shock if they were expecting a rural airstrip – there are still plenty of rural patches between villages and you won’t want for choice.
Sights in Guadeloupe
Les Saintes
These tiny islands to the south of Basse-Terre are many people’s highlight of Guadeloupe, as they allow visitors to enjoy a slice of the old Caribbean, far from the development and urban sprawl that has affected much of the region.
Pointe-a-Pitre
In 1654 a merchant named Peter, a Dutch Jew who settled in Guadeloupe after being exiled from Brazil, began a fish market on an undeveloped harborside jut of land.
Guadeloupe destination guides
Marie-Galante
Marie-Galante, the largest of Guadeloupe’s outer islands, is a rural and agricultural island beloved by those who enjoy the quieter pleasures in life and particularly by beach lovers who want to escape the crowds.
Hotels in Guadeloupe
Budget Hotels & Hostels in Guadeloupe
Apartments in Guadeloupe
Ste-Anne
The busy town of Ste-Anne sees a lot of tourists but the big resorts are well hidden and there’s a good balance of amenities for tourists and authentic modern village life.
Deshaies
This charmingly sleepy spot has just the right blend of traditional fishing village and good selection of eating and drinking options to keep visitors happy.