If you’re in the mood for wining and dining French-style and exploring the natural wonders of a Caribbean paradise, Guadeloupe has so much to offer.
Made up of two islands, Grande-Terre (218 sq. miles) and Basse-Terre (312 sq. miles), and separated by the Riviere-Salee river that connects the Caribbean and Atlantic Seas, Guadeloupe is located 65 miles south of Antigua and 73 miles north of Dominica. Ruled by France along with its nearby island dependencies of La Desirade, Marie Galant and Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe is a sister island of St. Barts and the French half of St. Martin.
Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1493 and named it Santa Maria de Guadeloupe de Estremadura, after a Spanish monastery. As he and his crew sailed around Guadeloupe, they noticed what appeared to be a white stone avalanche, which they later realized was a trio of waterfalls towering 300 feet.
Discover the mysteries of the falling stones and La Soufriere, Guadeloupe’s dormant volcano, to which you can hike. Or go to Pointe des Chateaux which has several beautiful sand beaches and rocky cliffs that shelter sandy coves. This island has some breath-taking scenery – and has a lot of offer vacationers.
Guadeloupe Facts
• Climate: Temperatures remain in the mid-80s throughout the year.
• Currency: French franc, but U.S. dollars are also accepted.
• Banking: Banks are open from 8:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m., with a break from noon to 2:30 for lunch.
• Language: French, Creole and some English.
• Population: 408,000.
• Capital: Basse-Terre.
History
Throughout its history, Guadeloupe was the rope in a tug-of-war between France and England. The first settlers came from France as indentured servants in exchange for their passage. When the French government lost their sugarcane crops by abolishing slavery, the citizens invited the English to invade. The French, irate at the islanders’ actions, sent 1,150 French men to the island to re-establish power and get rid of the English. Guillotines were built in the main squares of Basse-Terre and Pointe-a-Pitre to make an example of those who were disloyal. It took 4,000 Guadeloupeans to lose their heads before France finally regained control. Today Guadeloupe is still part of France and abides by all French government rules.
Where to Stay
Hotel St-John Anchorage – Pointe-A-Pitre: A 44-room downtown harbor front hotel decorated with locally-made mahogany furniture.
Marissol – Le Bas Du Fort: 200 rooms in a bungalow cluster with A/C and Tel which either look out on the sea or the gardens.
Fleur d’Epee Novotel – Le Bas Du Fort: A French-based resort with 190 recently-renovated rooms including A/C, TV and Tel.
Callinago Beach Hotel and Village – Gosier: 40 rooms, 115 studios and duplex apartments on the beach with A/C, mini-bar, TV, Tel, private baths and balconies.
La Creole Beach Hotel – Gosier: 315 rooms, 6 duplexes, A/C, mini-bar, TV and Tel, great for families; located along two beaches which can be viewed off the large balconies.
Club Med-Caravelle – Ste-Anne: 329 rooms with A/C and Tel set on a 45 acre peninsula with a great beach.
Hotel La Toubana – Ste-Anne: 32 bungalows with A/C, Tel and kitchenette located on a cliff which overlooks the bay and Ste-Anne beach.
La Relais du Moulin – Ste-Anne: 40 bungalows and 20 duplex apartments with A/C, mini-bar and Tel.
Hamark – St-Francois: 56 villa suites with A/C, mini-bar and Tel set on a 250-acre estate with golf course and beach-rimmed lagoon.
La Sucrerie de Comte – Ste-Rose: 52 rooms with A/C decorated in rustic handmade furniture and set on an 8-acre forest which overlooks the sea.
Le Houslmont – Basse-Terre: 8 rooms with private bath and A/C, part of the oldest and most respected restaurant of the island’s capital.
Getting Around
Bus – Buses run to almost all towns, but you should know some French before trying this type of transportation.
Taxi – Getting around in taxis can be expensive because the drivers charge what they want and, by law, can charge 40% more between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Rental car – It’s best to reserve a car in advance from the primary car rental companies.
Best Places to Visit
Fort Fleur D’dpee – 18th century fortress with dungeons just 3 miles east of Pointe-a-Pitre; a great view!
Aquarium de la Guadeloupe – see over 150 species of tropical fish and plants found throughout the Caribbean islands.
Musee Edgar Clerc in Le Moule – learn about the island’s history as well as its archaeology.
Carbet Falls at Basse-Terre – a trio of waterfalls falling from over 300 feet.
La Soufriere at Basse-Terre – Guadeloupe’s dormant volcano makes an interesting hike. Take any of the four marked trails (allow about three hours round-trip) to see the five-acre crater.
Parc Zoologique et Botanique at Bouillante – see animals and plants of the island and other Caribbean areas.
Sightseeing Bus Tours – Your choice between a half day tour of Grande-Terre with a stop in Point-a-Pitre to shop or a whole day of Basse-Terre.
Activities
Biking
Boating
Golf
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Fishing
Tennis
Water Skiing and Windsurfing
Shopping
Guadeloupe Souvenirs – Includes coffee rum, handmade baskets and hats, hammocks and shell items. Here are a few of the many stores worth visiting:
Les Artisans Caraibes – St-Francois – handmade local crafts made from wood, cloth and other items.
Floral Antilles – Pointe-a-Pitre – tropical flowers vacuum-packed to take home with you.
L’lle au Tresor – St-Francois – madras sportswear for everyone in the family made on the island.
Phoenicia – Pointe-a-Pitre and 908556 in Gosier – famous perfume and cosmetics at bargain prices.
A La Recherche du Passe – Bas-du-Fort – antique books, some nautical items, other treasures.
Dining
It goes without saying that the restaurants in Guadeloupe are deliciously good!
BEWARE: Caribbean cuisine with a French accent will lead to pampered palates. Here are some of the many restaurants worth visiting. Reservations are recommended for dinner:
La Canne a Sucre – Point-A-Pitre – most famous for its local cuisine and located right on the water where cruise ships park for the day.
La Plantation – Le Bas Du Fort – overlooks the hotel’s marina complex and features modern French cuisine.
The Ajoupa Restaurant – Gosier – fresh seafood served with a French-Creole touch by waiters adorned in traditional Creole clothing in a large glassed-in pavilion near a pool.
La Chaubette – Gosier – Creole food served in a relaxed atmosphere and decorated in local colors.
Chez Violetta – Gosier – formal dining with several delectable menu items to choose from such as bouden, cod fritters and red snapper.
La Louisiane – St-Francois – former plantation decorated with French flair from the 1800s, this restaurant serves outstanding seafood meals which creatively combines French and Caribbean styles.