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Here you will find all the essential advice and information you will need before and during your stay in Guadeloupe.
While air temperature varies little from one month to another, February through June is the driest period and the best time to visit. Rain and humidity picks up in July and lingers through early January. Carnival begins the Friday after Epiphany Sunday and ends on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). Following the French tradition, businesses close for several weeks during August and September.
Guadeloupe has only one international airport, Guadeloupe Pôle Caraïbes in Pointe-à-Pitre, and seven regional airstrips, including Marie-Galante Grand-Bourg, Terrede-Haut Airport, and La Désirade Airport. The outer islands of the archipelago may be reached by ferry service. Both air and sea service change seasonally, but Air Canada, American Airlines, and Delta offer flights from North America, at least weekly during high season. Air France provides non-stop service from Paris, and Air Caraïbes and LIAT connect the islands within the Antilles. The ferry companies between these islands are L’Express des Iles, Comatrile, and Jean’s Ferry Service.
Crime is rare in Guadeloupe and the outer islands, but take simple precautions and do not leave valuables in rental cars.
There are several modern medical facilities located throughout the islands, including the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Pointe-à-Pitre with a 24-hour emergency room.
Other than the French, the citizens from all countries within the EU must present a valid passport to enter the island. Citizens of France may show a passport, an official identity card, or a valid French residence permit. Immigration officials may ask to see an onward or return ticket, proof of sufficient funds for the planned stay and an address where visitors will be staying.
Like France, Guadeloupe legalized homo-sexuality in 1791, and today Guadeloupe’s LGBT+ community are protected under French anti-discrimination legislation and same-sex marriage was legalized in 2013. However there have been incidents of prejudice against local LGBT+ individuals, so discretion is advised away from hotels and the gay-friendly nudist beaches of Anse Tarare and Anse Saline.
The legal currency is the euro, and other currencies can be exchanged at 24-hour ATMs and banks, which are open in all the main towns from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Most major credit cards are accepted, but may not be welcome at small cafés, especially on the outer islands. Some US cards may not work in the local ATMs.
Visitors bringing cell phones to Guadeloupe should check with their service providers to determine if they will work and if they will be subject to roaming charges. Cell phones can be purchased from Orange Caraïbe offices. Hotels may offer Internet service, and Wi-Fi hotspots are scattered around the island. Internet cafes are located in larger towns.
Guadeloupe has a well-maintained network of highways and secondary roads that connect every part of the main island, and a rental car is the best way to travel from one point to another. Most large international agencies rent cars on the island. Book well ahead during high season. Large hotels may have rental cars on-site for daily or weekly rental. Several agencies such as AVIS, EuropCar, QuickRent, Budget, and Voitures des Îles have booths at the airport. Taxis are abundant at the airports, ferry docks, and cruise ship terminals. They have meters and legally add a hefty surcharge to fares between 9pm and 7am and on Sundays and holidays. The operators for taxis are Taxi Art, Taxi Guadeloupe, C.D.L Taxi, Taxi Les Saintes Travel, Satevan, and Taxi: La Désirade. There are frequent bus services throughout the island, but it is best to know some French to communicate with the drivers.
The outer islands, connected to the main islands via ferry, can be navigated on foot or by bicycle. Marie-Galante has a minivan service between towns, but most visitors take group tours or rent a car.
Tourist information kiosks are located at the arrival area of the airports and other touristoriented sites on all islands. Comité du Tourisme des Îles de la Guadeloupe maintains tourism offices on each of the Guadeloupen islands. The Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board also has a very informative website.
Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board
Need to know Guadeloupe
Euro (EUR)
Need to know Guadeloupe
Atlantic Standard Time, 4 hours behind GMT and 1 hour ahead of EST. Guadeloupe does not observe daylight savings
Need to know Guadeloupe
The official language is French, but Creole is widely spoken and recognized as a language
Need to know Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe uses 220 volts AC, 50 cycles, and most places have French-style outlets so adaptors might be necessary
Need to know Guadeloupe
AMBULANCE
FIRE SERVICE
POLICE
