Welcome to Guadeloupe Guadeloupe’s evocative blend of lush natural beauty and rich Creole and French culture make it a magical place to visit. The archipelago is an overseas region of France, and Guadeloupe’s food, language, and culture reflect this strong ties. […]
Welcome to Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe’s evocative blend of lush natural beauty and rich Creole and French culture make it a magical place to visit. The archipelago is an overseas region of France, and Guadeloupe’s food, language, and culture reflect this strong ties. The country’s two main islands look like the wings of a butterfly and are joined together by simply a couple of bridges and a mangrove swamp. Grande-Terre, the eastern of the two islands, has a string of beach towns that offer visitors world-class stretches of sandy beaches to laze on and plenty of activities. The western island, mountainous Basse-Terre, is home to thick & lush Parc National de la Guadeloupe, complete with waterfalls and topped by the spectacular La Soufrière volcano.
The Stunning Sights of Guadeloupe
La Soufrière
Active volcano La Soufrière (4800 ft.) looms above Basse-Terre’s southern half. For an adventurous 2-hour hike to the sulfurous, moonscape-like summit, offers panoramic views from the highest points of the massif – as long as the weather is clear. Along the way, you’ll see a diversity of otherworldly landscapes. Hot springs, mud pools, and fumaroles (openings in the earth’s surface that emit steam and volcanic gases) punctuate the volcano’s barren, black sides, and the triple waterfall of Chutes du Carbet flows down the eastern face of La Soufrière massif from a height of 375 feet .
Hikers who follow the trail to Etang As de Pique will find one of the largest of the mountainside lakes formed in craters on the volcanic massif, surrounded by lush hillsides.
Terre-de-Haut
Lying 10km off Guadeloupe, unhurried Terre-de-Haut is the largest of the eight islands that make up Les Saintes & it does feel like a slice of southern France that has been transported to the Caribbean. A Lot of English is spoken here thanks to a big international sailing scene, and it’s definitely the most cosmopolitan of Guadeloupe’s outlying islands. Divers love its waters for their good visibility and healthy reefs.
La Desirade
With its soaring central mountain, thick vegetation & palm strewn becahes, tiny La Desirede is the quintessential Caribbean island of popular fantasy. Just 11 kms long and 2 kms wide the island makes for an enjoyable day trip from Grande-Terre. Even the best beaches are quite empty and there are some amazing restaurant where one enjoy a long lazy lunch.
Guadeloupe National Park, Basse-Terre
Nature lovers of all kinds will find something to love at Guadeloupe National Park (Parc National de la Guadeloupe). Designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, the park often draws more than a million visitors a year.
Among its many attractions are 300 kilometers of hiking trails; La Soufrière volcano at 1,467 meters; Col de la Matéliane at 1,298 meters; and a wide range of plants and animals, including 100 species of orchids. Bird-watchers will enjoy the diversity here, with resident species such as the black woodpecker, pearly-eyed thrasher, and Lesser Antillean pewee.
When to go and weather
- Guadeloupe is busiest from December to May: the weather’s warm and dry, and average humidity is around 77%. For Christmas it is best to book well in advance, as things get booked up.
- From July to November is the wettest period, when rain falls about 14 days a month and average humidity reaches 85%. One should try to avoid visiting during the French February holidays and August, as prices are sky-high and rooms scarce at this time.
- The drier months from January to May are the best time for diving and snorkeling.
Fast Facts
Capital: Basse- Terre
Main Airport: Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport
Currency: Euro
Language: French & Creole
Recommendations: For details & to plan your holiday to Guadeloupe, please drop in a mail at [email protected] or call +91 9873 797960. It would be our pleasure to assist in creating this memorable trip for our valued clients.