Guadeloupe

French overseas territory with colourful Caribbean charm

A French overseas territory with African roots, Creole culture and a bit of French je ne sais quoi.  There are no big developments in the archipelago – just quiet villages, lush rainforest, waterfalls, mangrove fringed beaches and a volcanic peak.  Highlights include:

  • Pointe-a-Pitre, known for its lively local markets which is also the place to go for for boat trips around the surrounding islands
  • snorkelling off the south coast of Grande Terre
  • the island of Basse Terre with its active volcano La Soufriere,
  • the  sandy beaches, sugar cane fields, and restaurants of Grande Terre.  
  • basking on beautiful and unspoilt beaches in Iles des Saintes
  • absorbing Caribbean plantation history on Marie-Galante, which  feels like  18th-century Caribbean
  • Flying time: 10.5 hours plus transfer time in Paris
  • Time difference: -5 hours
  • Currency: Euro
  • Best time of year to travel: December to April but year round avoiding summer months
guadeloupe-leschutesdecharbet
GuadeloupeBasse TerrePlage de Grande Anse à Deshaie
France, Caraïbes, Petites Antilles, Guadeloupe, Grande-Terre, Anse-Bertrand, vue aérienne du site naturel de la Porte d'Enfer et du Trou Madame Coco // France, Caribbean, Lesser Antilles, Guadeloupe, Grande-Terre, Anse-Bertrand, aerial view of the natural site of Porte d'Enfer and Trou Madame Coco
France, Guadeloupe, Basse-Terre, Saint-Claude, La Soufrière, surnommée « vié madanm la » en créole guadeloupéen ou « la vieille dame » en français, est un volcan en activité situé dans le parc national. Seul volcan actif de l’île, actuellement à l’état de repos éruptif, elle fait partie d’un ensemble volcanique composé des volcans Carmichaël, le Nez Cassé, l’Échelle, la Citerne et la Madeleine. C'est l’un des neuf volcans actifs des Petites Antilles. La végétation sur les flancs de la Soufrière est remarquable pour sa biodiversité. Elle s'étage sur trois niveaux : la forêt tropicale dense jusqu'à 1 100 mètres, les maquis humides denses entre 1 100 et 1 400 mètres composés d'arbustes ne dépassant pas deux mètres de hauteur (entre autres, Schefflera attenuata, Clusia mangle, Miconia coriacea), les prairies sommitales d'où émergent des bromeliaceae : Guzmania plumieri omniprésent, et surtout Pitcairnia bifrons, espèce pionnière présente jusqu'au bord des bouches éruptives (PR) // France, Guadeloupe, Basse-Terre, Saint-Claude, La Soufrière, nicknamed "the vié madanm" in Guadeloupean Creole or "the old lady" in French, is an active volcano located in the national park. Only active volcano on the island, currently the eruptive resting state, it is part of a volcanic ensemble of Carmichael volcanoes, Nose Broken, Scale, Cistern and the Madeleine. This is one of the nine active volcanoes of the Lesser Antilles. The vegetation on the slopes of the Soufriere is noted for its biodiversity. It sprawls over three levels: the dense tropical forest to 1100 meters, dense humid scrub between 1100 and 1400 meters of shrubs compounds not exceeding two meters high (among other Schefflera attenuata, Clusia mangle , Miconia coriacea), the apical meadows from which emerge bromeliaceae: Guzmania plumieri ubiquitous, especially Pitcairnia bifrons, this pioneer species to the edge of the eruptive vents (PR)
Caraïbes Antilles Françaises Guadeloupe Vues aériennes Les Ilets de Petite Terre

Ideas for a trip to Guadeloupe

Here are some of our favourite hotels in Guadeloupe. Please enquire for prices or other ideas for trips to the Guadeloupe archipelago.

La Creole Beach Hotel & Spa

La Creole Beach Hotel & Spa sits on the eastern island of Grand-Terre in Guadeloupe. With three swimming pools, a gorgeous beach and a luxurious spa, this place is all about extreme relaxation, but flyboarding, windsurfing and more are on offer for the more adventurous, and there’s regular live music and dancing at La Rhumerie.

Jardin Malanga

An elegant century-old three-bedroom Colonial House at the foot of the Soufriere volcano, whose rooms overlook the rainforest and the Les Saintes islands. There are also three charming one-bed cottages nestled in the tropical gardens, which have private terraces with hammocks overlooking the gardens and the sea beyond.

La Toubana Hotel & Spa

La Toubana Hotel & Spa sits on a rocky hillside by its own sheltered beach, and is perfect for a Caribbean escape, whether that’s getting the adrenaline pumping with white-knuckle water sports or lounging around on the sand and relaxing in style, while the unique culture and stunning beauty of Guadeloupe’s islands are within easy reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions that haven't been answered here? Send your questions to enquiries@shearwatertravel.co.uk and we'll try our best to help.

From 1 January 2021 you can visit Guadeloupe for up to 90 days in any 180 day period without a visa as a tourist.  For further information see the FCO website

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