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Guadeloupe✨ 10 best things to do in Guadeloupe

Things to do in Guadeloupe

1. Climb La SoufrièreHike through cloud forest to the steaming summit of the Lesser Antilles' highest volcano.
2. See the Carbet FallsWalk through rainforest to the tumbling cascades on the slopes of La Soufrière.
3. Snorkel the Cousteau ReserveSwim among turtles and coral gardens around the Pigeon Islets off Malendure.
4. Watch sunrise at Pointe des ChâteauxStand on the wild, wave-battered headland at Grande-Terre's eastern tip.
5. Island-hop to Les SaintesTake a ferry to Terre-de-Haut for a pretty bay, Fort Napoléon and laid-back village life.
6. Tour a rum distilleryLearn how rhum agricole is made from fresh cane juice on Basse-Terre or Marie-Galante.
7. Visit the Mémorial ACTeExplore the powerful museum on slavery and Caribbean history in Pointe-à-Pitre.
8. Kayak through the mangrovesPaddle the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin lagoon, a protected area of mangroves and reef.
9. Dance to gwokaJoin an evening léwòz, where drummers and dancers keep the island's African-rooted music alive.
10. Eat at a beach loloTry accras, colombo and grilled fish at a simple seaside shack.

Guadeloupe🗺️ Where to visit in Guadeloupe

Where to go in Guadeloupe

• 📍
  Basse-TerreWestern island · volcano & rainforestMountainous and green, with the national park, waterfalls, hot springs and black-sand beaches.
• 📍
  Grande-TerreEastern island · beachesFlatter limestone island with white-sand beaches around Sainte-Anne and Saint-François.
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  DeshaiesNorthwest Basse-Terre · village & beachA colourful fishing village near Grande Anse, one of Guadeloupe's finest beaches.
• 
  Les SaintesSouthern islands · baysA small archipelago with a beautiful bay, forts and a relaxed Breton-influenced village.
• 📍
  Marie-GalanteSouthern island · rum & beachesKnown as 'the island of a hundred windmills', with empty beaches and famous rum.
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  Pointe-à-PitreMain town · markets & historyBusy markets, colonial streets and the Mémorial ACTe museum.
• 📍
  La DésiradeEastern island · nature reserveA quiet, arid island with geological reserve status, iguanas and peaceful beaches.
• 📍
  Guadeloupe National ParkBasse-Terre · protected forestA UNESCO biosphere reserve of rainforest trails, rivers and volcanic peaks.

Guadeloupe🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Guadeloupe

Best time to visit Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe is warm and tropical all year, with trade winds keeping temperatures pleasant. Mountainous Basse-Terre is far wetter than flat Grande-Terre, and the hurricane season runs from June to November.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Pointe-à-Pitre (approximate averages).

Guadeloupe🎉 Festivals & events in Guadeloupe

• January-February (until Ash Wednesday)
  CarnivalWeeks of parades with drum groups and costumed bands, ending with the burning of King Vaval.
• August
  Fête des CuisinièresWomen cooks in Creole dress parade through Pointe-à-Pitre before a grand feast honouring their patron saint.
• 27 May
  Abolition of Slavery DayA public holiday commemorating emancipation with cultural events and ceremonies.
• November (every four years)
  Route du Rhum finishSolo sailors from France arrive in Pointe-à-Pitre at the end of a famous transatlantic race.

Guadeloupe🧭 Guadeloupe itinerary ideas

How many days in Guadeloupe?

Guadeloupe🎒 Backpacking Guadeloupe – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $70–100 a day

• Public buses are cheap but infrequent and stop early in the evening; renting a car is easiest for exploring.
• Self-catering gîtes and small guesthouses are more affordable than hotels, especially when shared.
• Buy fruit, vegetables and spices at local markets and eat at lolos for cheaper Creole meals.
• Ferries to Les Saintes and Marie-Galante are reasonable; book in advance in high season.
• Free hiking trails in the national park make for budget-friendly adventures.

Guadeloupe🛡️ Safety & money in Guadeloupe

Emergency: 112 general · 17 police · 18 fire · 15 ambulance

Guadeloupe🛬 Getting to Guadeloupe

Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet airport receives direct flights from France, North America and other Caribbean islands. Ferries also link Guadeloupe with Dominica, Martinique and Saint Lucia.

✈️ Cheap flights to Guadeloupe: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Guadeloupe💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Guadeloupe

• Guadeloupe is part of the European Union, so you can pay in euros in the Caribbean.
• La Soufrière is the highest peak in the Lesser Antilles.
• The two main islands are separated only by a narrow channel called the Rivière Salée.
• Gwoka music and dance are listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• Marie-Galante is famous for its high-proof rum and its many old sugar windmills.

Guadeloupe❓ Guadeloupe travel FAQ

Guadeloupe travel questions