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Complete Guide to Guadeloupe
Last Updated: April 2020
If you want to relax and enjoy the unspoiled nature and tropical climate of the Caribbean, we recommend a holiday in Guadeloupe!
The French Antilles offer the perfect scenario for the dream holiday and in particular, a trip to Guadeloupe allows you to taste the delicious Creole cuisine, dive into a crystal clear sea, and relax on paradisiacal beaches.
Guadeloupe is a beautiful butterfly-shaped Caribbean island divided into Grand Terre and Basse Terre. Grand Terre is the most visited spot on the island and has many luxury resorts and all-inclusive hotels. The number of tourists at Grand Terre means that the beaches are usually packed and the restaurants are tourist traps. On the other hand, Basse Terre has much fewer tourists, great hiking routes, and pristine beaches.

Things to Do in Basse Terre
The Parc National de la Guadeloupe is the island’s only national park and it covers much of the interior section of Basse Terre. It’s packed with unbelievably stunning natural beauty. The lush green jungle landscape creates a beautiful and mysterious atmosphere. Check out these incredible things to do in Basse Terre’s National Park:
- Drive the Route de la Traversée
- Visit Cascade aux Ecrevisses
- Chutes du Carbet lookout
- Bras David Trail
- Hike up La Soufrière
The Route de la Traversée is a beautiful drive that extends for 17km and takes about 30 minutes to drive straight through it. Along the way, you can stop to see the Cascade aux Ecrevisses, a gorgeous jungle waterfall plunging into a clear mountainside pool. It is located directly off the main road, just a three-minute walk on a paved path from the parking area. Nearby, there is a picnic area with barbeque pits nestled by the river.
Drive further down the road and you will find the Chutes du Carbet lookout point, from which you can spot two waterfalls cascading into the jungle. There are two walking trails from here, one to see the second-highest waterfall (about 20 minutes) and another to see the highest waterfall (about two hours).
Visit the Maison de la Forêt is a little museum with English walking tour maps. The Bras David Trail is a little 2km loop that starts and ends at the museum. It is a fantastic walk through the jungle with amazing plants and wildlife.
La Soufrière is an active volcano looming above the national park. The two-hour hike to the top rewards you with stunning panoramic views.

Things to Do in Grand Terre
Among the must-see places in Grand Terre, Guadeloupe we recommend you visit:
- Pointe des Chateaux
- Jardin Botanique de Deshaies
- Pointe-à-Pitre
- Le Gosier
- Marie Galante
Pointe des Chateaux is an enchanting panoramic point from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the surrounding islands. It is recommended to rent a car to drive out to this site as the buses in Guadeloupe can be unreliable.
Jardin Botanique de Deshaies is a unique place where you can get to know the tropical flora of Guadeloupe and get in touch with many different species of plants and flowers. The garden stretches over 7 acres with paths winding around ponds, waterfalls, and flowering plants. Hummingbirds and parrots also call this botanical garden home.
Pointe-à-Pitre is the largest city of Guadeloupe and is home to the island’s main airport. The bustling Pointe-à-Pitre market is a fun place to explore and purchase local tropical fruits, spices, and crafts.
Le Gosier is a charming seaside village nearby Pointe-à-Pitre. Relax on the white sands of the St. Anne Beach or rent a jet ski to explore around the island. From Le Gosier, you can take a boat to visit nearby islands like Marie Galante, where the farmers still turn on the horse-drawn carriage.
Guadeloupe also offers a splendid underwater landscape. Do not miss the opportunity to do activities such as snorkeling and diving! You can also choose to go on a whale-watching excursion and see whales, sperm whales, and dolphins.
At the end of the day, you can enjoy a delicious Ti’ Punch, the typical Guadeloupe cocktail based on agricultural rum, brown sugar and lime.
Important Information about Visiting Guadeloupe
As a territory of France, Guadeloupe uses the Euro, which means that prices are generally higher than in other neighboring islands, but it is still not too expensive. The official language of Guadeloupe is French and Antillean Creole is also widely spoken. Many people do not speak English, so be prepared with a phrasebook and memorize some important phrases.
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