Common Overview
For those who’re in search of a enjoyable, stress-free and tropical place to go for a vacation then Guadeloupe is a improbable choice. The seashores in Guadeloupe are merely lovely and clear, with beautiful sandy seashores stretching for miles. The shoreline is breathtaking and varies relying on the world. The sand at Grande-Terre is white, while the sand on the leeward coast is brown and on the finish of Basse-Terre you possibly can really discover black sand as there are volcano’s which you’ll go to.
Guadeloupe is made up two principal islands, Basse-Terre & Grande-Terre, that are separated by a salt river and whose mixed form resembles a butterfly. There are additionally two smaller islands, Iles de la Saintes (a group of 4 small islands within the South), Marie Galante (South), La Desirade (East) and two small islands beneath La Desirade referred to as Iles des les Petite-Terre.
Guadeloupe is a French colony and this makes for an fascinating mixture of Caribbean and European cultures much like the likes of Martinique and St. Barts. Ideally it is really useful to talk a minimal French as not everybody speaks English.
Guadeloupe is nice for snorkeling and diving as there are a selection of spectacular coral reefs not removed from the seashores. The Pigeon Isles is specifically among the finest spots with an underwater sanctuary together with the crystal clear Cousteau Reserve, which is full of multi-coloured fauna.
One of the simplest ways to see Guadeloupe is both by automobile or scooter, each of that are very reasonably priced.
Islands of Guadeloupe
- Grande-Terre
- Basse-Terre
- Iles des Saints
- Iles des les Petite-Terre
- Marie Galante
- La desirade island
Grande-Terre
The Grande-Terre is a good looking island surrounded by coral reefs with white and black sandy seashores, cliffs and rolling hills with huge farmland. It is a well-liked vacation spot amongst guests, particularly: Pointe-à-Pitre, Gosier, Saint-François, Pointe des Châteaux, Le Moule, Pointe de la Grande Vigie and Port-Louis (wonderful diving spot).
Pointe des Chateaux (Castles Level)
Located on the most jap a part of the island its spectacular views draw many guests, enabling you to see neighbouring islands; La Desirade, Iles des les Petite-Terre, Marie Gallante, Iles des les Saintes and generally extra! Regardless of the identify, there are no Castle Cleaners – Maid Services in Richmond TX, its really a reference to the majestically carved rocks fashioned by the ferocious waves.
Sainte-Anne seaside
There may be in fact the most well-liked Membership Med Caravelle seaside which is accessible to anybody and the bourg seaside, with somewhat marina, great for swimming and has each fairly white sandy seaside as seen in put up playing cards. Consideration, an entrance charge is paid on weekends when you go by automobile. However you possibly can park the automobile alongside the boulevard.
Saint Francois
A big seaside resort and fishermans port, which is a favorite vacation spot for a lot of on account of its lovely seashores and wealthy panorama. Centered round an outdated market, you’ll find nurseries, a fishermans wharf (the place you should buy recent fish every day), recent fruit and vegetable retailers and a various vary of native merchants, which brings a sure liveliness and ambiance to the city. At numerous occasions all year long there are parades, dances, festivals and native festivals together with quite a few eating places, lodges a on line casino and a spread of different actions together with an excellent golf course. One of many nice issues about Saint Francois is its quick access to different islands as you possibly can take a ship to many locations resembling; La Desirade, Petite-Terre and Marie-Glante. For those who’re in search of a fantastic vacation villa in Saint Francois, Guadeloupe we advocate Villa Belle Allee which is a brief distance from the city centre.
Porte d’enfer: the gates of hell
Regardless of the identify, La Porte d’Enfer is a protected cove with calm waters and a small palm-lined seaside backed by excessive limestone cliffs, which give it a uniquely fascinating attract. The seaside is nice for swimming, particularly for babies and adventurous vacationers can discover the limestone cliffs and surrounding space.
La Porte d’Enfer is near Le Moule, so you possibly can tour the city after your go to to the seaside. Guadeloupe’s seashores are hardly recognized for his or her seclusion, however this seaside is somewhat farther from the crowds, making it an ideal spot for some vacationers.
Go to a Rhumerie – Rum distillery
Cabane a rhum Damoiseau is in Le Moule (ph 23 78 23) in your approach to Pointe des Chateaux is artisanal the place you possibly can go to the whole lot, from the crushing of the sugar cane to the fermentation tub of vesou (sugar cane wine changing into rum). It’s totally fascinating however all of the odors and sounds is somewhat overwhelming sooner or later, and you bought to be careful for the bubble of goo popping out of these tubs when the wind picks up!
Mangrove Exploration at The reserve of the Grand Cul de Sac Marin
Situated within the North between Grande Terre and Basse Terre, the pure reserve has been protected since 1990 on account of intense searching, which had a detrimental impact on the pure wildlife there. It is attainable to take a tour of the mangroves and find out about this fascinating a part of the island.
The Pageant of Ladies Cooks (or the Fête des Cuisinières)
Aculinary nirvana proclaimed as one in every of Guadeloupe’s most spectacular occasions, and normally held in Pointe-á-Pitre in August. The competition incorporates a banquet open to all that lasts for hours, and conventional Creole costume is prevalent. Dancing and parades proceed the occasion. Belying its twin roots, Creole meals and French meals intermix.
Pointe a pitre
Guadeloupe’s largest metropolis is a mixture of outdated and new and is completely positioned between the 2 fundamental islands, which assisted its improvement. The town has had a vibrant previous with quite a few fires, hurricanes and earthquakes, nevertheless it stands tall at present. It is a bustling metropolis with a fantastic market the place you should buy recent fish, greens, spices and an array of different issues every day. The market is open each morning and is located within the middle of Pointe-a-Pitre.
One other worthwhile go to in Pointe-a-Pitre is the aquarium, which incorporates an unlimited array of fantastically colored fish housed in big tanks. The employees are extraordinarily go to and it makes a pleasant break from the Caribbean solar! Deshaies Botanic Backyard
The Botanical Backyard is positioned within the north east of Basse Terre in a good looking village referred to as Deshaies. You will discover over over 200 types of native vegetation together with wildlife and picturesque waterfalls and ponds. A should for lovers of nature.
Basse-Terre (Low Land)
Regardless of its identify, Basse-Terre is in truth the very best and largest island of Guadeloupe positioned to the east. It is wealthy in wildlife and there may be an abundance of issues to see and do.
Nationwide Park of Guadeloupe
One of many fundamental points of interest is the Nationwide Park of Guadeloupe (Parc Naturel), which supplies round 300km (188 miles) of marked trails main into the rainforest, the place guests can observe many tropical animals and vegetation. The surroundings on these walks usually consists of waterfalls (such because the Cascade aux Ecrevisses) or lakes (such because the Grand Etang). On Grande-Terre, mountain climbing trails lead by way of the mangrove or alongside the cliffs of the Atlantic coast.
La Route de la Traversee is the highway that crosses by way of the center of Basse-Terre and the Nationwide Park (Parc Nationwide). It is a attractive area surrounded by mountains and forests with a number of lagoons for swimming and loads of locations to hike. Notably, there’s a Zoo with a suspension bridge the place you possibly can stroll across the forest 15-20metres above the bottom! There’s a number of trails that result in waterfalls, nevertheless the best are Cascade aux Ecrevisses and Saut de la Lézarde. Cascade aux Ecrevisses is an intimate, picturesque cascade with a number of lush vegetation and a good looking heat pond with a waterfall the place you possibly can swim. It is effectively well worth the journey as its fairly secluded and there’s a place the place you possibly can have a picnic with tables and chairs and so forth. Le saut de la Lézarde is one other slice of paradise much like the cascade, which is once more tranquil and stylish consisting of a 30 foot waterfall an enormous pool for swimming and open sided cavern with timber and creepers hanging off the partitions. Take a proper to l’Orée du parc, course Vernou then observe the indications.
La Soufriere Volcano
An vital landmark of Guadeloupe’s panorama as it’s the highest mountain located in the midst of Basse-Terre and is a spectacular day journey! It may be achieved in half a day, nevertheless that you must be match and we advocate sporting sneakers and taking adequate quantity of water! If you need a tour group, contact HazEco.
The volcano hike is a wide ranging expertise, nevertheless it is not for the faint hearted. In 2004 the primary parking zone was destroyed by a landslide so that you at the moment are obliged to park additional down which suggests an additional 30 minute hike by way of the forest, which is considerably longer and rockier. The sulphar scent is just not very intoxicating in any respect. A little bit of trivia: Initially the steam was condensed and used as a medicinal drink.
Capesterre-Belle-Eau
Located within the south east of Basse-Terre, Chutes du Carbet is the most well-liked vacation spot within the area and in addition of Guadeloupe, comprising of three big cascades, which is a should see! The primary one is troublesome to acces and reserved to specialists, the third one wants 2 hours of mountain climbing and has an unimaginable 20 meter excessive water-fall. The second is simpler to entry taking roughly 1 hour to get there and again, nevertheless it is nonetheless a fantastic stroll with solely the sounds of falling water within the mangroves. The view is just breathtaking and was famous in Christopher Columbus’ log when he named Guadeloupe ‘Karukera’, which interprets to “the island of gorgeous waters. We advocate you’re taking a raincoat and approximate moist climate gear because it rains so much!
Kassavery of Capesterre-Belle-Eau is probably one of many final locations within the Lesser Antilles the place you possibly can style the well-known cake of Manioc product of coconut and banana.
Go to a Rhumerie – Rum distillery
Severin distillery in Sainte Rose (ph 28 91 86) is a bit more industrial and cleaner than others. They’re very pleasant and also you’re in a position to freely style rum, punch and anything they’re brewing. They’ve a backyard within the again and a information to elucidate the quite a few vegetation and so forth. The develop Ouassous that are served on the Domaine de Severin restaurant within the colonial home within the backyard, which may be very good.
Isle de Pigeon
Thought-about as among the finest locations for snorkeling and scuba diving, Isle de Pigeon is a small island simply off the West Coast of Basse Terre above Bouillante. The ocean is just not very deep and is ideal for snorkeling as you will notice comparable views as those that dive! You are not obliged to take a ship, you can too rent a kayak and paddle or be a part of a kayak journey because the island is just roughly 1km from the shore. By the best way, there aren’t any pigeons right here, regardless of the identify!
Reserve Cousteau located at Isle de Pigeon is just unimaginable and is without doubt one of the greatest locations on Isle de Pigeon. There are boat journeys right here with glass bottoms so you possibly can admire the coral reef and huge array of sea life. Some boats will cease after about an hour and you may borrow a masks, tuba and palms and soar within the sea to see up shut what’s on the market. The captain will then entice fish with bread, to allow them to swim proper subsequent to you. You could must inquire about this earlier than. You you possibly can scuba dive almost on a regular basis at la reserve cousteau no matter your stage. Try http://www.heures-saines.gp for extra data.
Iles des Saints – Islands of the Saints
Described as a number of the most lovely islands within the Caribbean, Iles des Saints is a bunch of picturesque islands south of Basse-Terre. There are only a few vehicles and one of the best ways to go to is to hire a scooter or stroll. There are a selection of historic websites to go to resembling Fort Napoééon (dates again to 1867), which has exhibition and iguanas. There may be quite a lot of lovely seashores, specifically ‘Ache de sucre’, together with numerous outlets, galleries, eating places and the like. Attempt climbing the “Chameau” (309m), the magnificent round view is effectively well worth the effort!
Terre-de-Haut is the most important and most populated islands of Les Saintes. It’s an unimaginable place with fabulous strolling, snorkeling, and locations to remain and eat. Many individuals take solely day journeys to this island, however its price just a few nights in its personal proper. For those who’re in search of empty seashores, a quaint village, and the sensation of getting an island all to your self, that is the place for you.
To get there you possibly can take a ship from both Trois rivieres, Pointe a pitre or St francois and probably another locations.
Iles des les Petite-Terre
Situated south of Pointe des Chateaux, beneath La Desirade within the east of Guadeloupe, Iles des les Petite-Terre is a powerful desert island occupied by just a few iguanas and a few birds referred to as ‘sucriers’. You possibly can take a day journey there and when you arrive you discover a paradise excellent for snorkeling and swimming. Please word, searching and fishing is forbidden.
Marie Galante
Her identify is taken from Christopher Columbus’ caravel and she or he is the most important of the islands relying on Guadeloupe and is roughly 1-2 hours from Saint Francois or Pointe a Pitre. The island may be very chilled out and was a haven for writers and painters for inspiration. It was initially the house of the rum distilling which is simple to see primarily based on the quantity of pure vegetation there and so they nonetheless carry the sugarcane by cart. You possibly can style rum at one of many native distilleries or take a stroll and uncover the fantastic thing about a panorama scattered with windmills and ruins of former sugar refineries. The seashores are considered probably the most lovely in Guadeloupe.
La desirade island
Image an overturned ship within the water and that type of describes La Desirade. It is the least touristic locations in Guadeloupe (with solely two lodges), primarily as a result of it’s fairly mountainous and rocky with not a lot vegetation. The dearth of contact might be why the inhabitants are so pleasant and relaxed as the approach to life may be very calm. La Desirade is 11km lengthy and 2km broad, with desert-like terrain, coconut and sea grape timber alongside the coast and a big cactus backyard on the jap finish. The northern facet of the island is uninhabited, consisting of a rocky shoreline with tough open seas, while the southern facet has lovely sandy seashores and reef-protected waters. For those who’re in search of a spot to get away from the hussle and bussle of touristic locations and wish to checkout some lovely secluded seashores and smaller farmers villages, then that is the place for you. It is best found on a scooter as its fairly hilly.