Guadeloupe Travel Information

The French territory of Guadeloupe is an island that looks like a butterfly -- which is why it is sometimes known as The Butterfly Island.

Whether it looks like a butterfly or not, this eastern Caribbean island is a popular destination for cruise ships and long-term vacationers alike.

Guadeloupe’s main island is two islands connected by a mangrove swamp.

Grande-Terre is the eastern half of the island with rolling hills, flat plains and a series of beach towns.

Basse-Terre has the national park including the 4,977-foot-tall La Soufrière (Sulphur) volcano, hiking trails and the Jacques Cousteau underwater reserve.

In addition, Guadeloupe has a number of smaller nearby islands including La Desirada, Grande Anse, Lies de la Petite Terre, Marie-Galante, Grande-Bourge and Lies des Saintes.

The capital is Pointe-A-Pitre, the main commercial center, airport and seaport for the islands. Ferries are available to take visitors among the islands of Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Martinique and Dominica. The ferry to Martinique takes three hours.

Because it is a French territory -- part of the French West Indies -- Guadeloupe is known for its fine dining and clothing-optional beaches.

Guadeloupe Attractions

Waterfalls in the jungle of Basse-Terre is are popular with tourists. Some are located within a short distance of parking lots, while others require several hours of hiking.

Carbet Falls, which consists of three cascading sets of falls, is located on the Carbet River. Tours of rum distilleries also are popular.

Other attractions include the Botanical Gardens on Basse-Terre, shopping in Pointe-A-Pitre and touring other cities and towns on the island.


All stopover visitors require a passport. Overnight visitors will have to fill out an immigration form with details of their stay. They also need a return ticket. Cruise visitors simply need to have their ship IDs available when leaving the ship and returning.

Weather is a major factor in when to go because the island receives a high level of rainfall each year compared to many other Caribbean destinations. December through June are the best months to go, while August through November in particular should be avoided.

Weather

The climate is subtropical tempered by trade winds. The humidity is moderately high. The average monthly high temperature ranges between 84 and 89 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, according to the World Weather Organization. The average monthly low ranges between 68 and 75 degrees.

Rainfall ranges from less than three inches in February and March to more than eight inches in September through November. August receives almost as much rain at 7.7 inches.


The national currency is the Euro because the island is a territory of France. Hotels, many restaurants and other services accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

Most currencies can be exchanged at local banks. Many ATMs accept international bank cards. Jamaica follows the common practice in the Caribbean of 10-15 percent tips on services such as hotels and restaurants.

But some places automatically add a gratuity while others such as all-inclusive resorts do not allow tipping at all. Hotels have a 10-15 percent room tax.


Sugar production and tourism are key industries, with most tourists from the US. The islands are seeing an increasing number of cruise ships. French is the official language, but English and Creole patois are common. Most of the islands are volcanic except for Grande-Terre.

• U.S. Dept. of State
  
• CIA Factbook
  
• Caribbean Tourism Organization
  
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration