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At many places, especially on Basse Terre with it's dramatic scenery, there are special lookout spots. Take a break from driving and sit down to take in some great views over mountains and jungle, or beaches or whatever else they have to throw at you. Because you're on vacation and what's the rush...?
Gwada has a pretty decent road network, but the information along the roads can be really bad. There are few signs, and many of the signs that do exist are poorly placed (like behind a tree or bus stop!) and sometimes dirty or damaged. So finding your way along these winding roads will be a real challange without some in car help. Luckily maps are easily avalible and will save you loads of time. That's not to say that you'll get it right the first time though. We were to find a beach by a specific name. So we went to the southeast side of Grande Terre where I spotted the name. Troube was that is was a common name that popped up a few other places on the map as well. Turns out the beach we wanted, and where friends waited, were on the northwest side of the island...But without the map I am sure we would still be driving around looking, so don't forget it!
Guadeloupe is very much into art. Most of the walls have murals on them.It has some nice features but it is not tourist friendly. They are just beginning to make more accomodations for those in the tourists. For example many of the facilities that tourists visit do not have adequate restroom facilities. It is best to walk with toilet tissue. The downtown area needs a major overhaul. The wear and tear of the buildings are evident. The port does not have a building like the other ports do either.
A group of 8 small mountainous islands about fifteen minutes by boat from the island of Basse Terre. The name comes from Christopher Columbus, who saw them on the All Saints Day. They were never inhabited by the indians, as they lack water, today two of the islands are inhabited and are on the agenda of most of the tourists coming to Guadeloupe.But do not worry - the tourists will disperse very quickly from the pier and if you have the luck to stay there for the night, the islands becomes very calm once the ferry departs. Great views from the Fort Napoleon, lovely beaches (my preferred is the Pompierre beach), nice walks through the small mountains...
Guadeloupe was baptised Karukera by the indians, which means "Island of nice waters".And there is a lot of water on the island, especially on mountainous Basse Terre, covered with tropical humid forest and with plenty of rivers and waterfalls. So while you will get wet sometimes, the rains (at least in the dry season in winter) never last, but enable the vegetation to grow really fast and for you to go canyoning or just hiking along the rivers or to the waterfalls.The Carbet waterfalls are maybe the most spectacular (and most visited), but you will find a lot more of them... Lush green of the tropical forest and the smell of rain, with the sounds of the river and waterfall just above...
Basse Terre is essentially one high mountainous chain, filled by tropical forest and half of which is classified as a national reserve. You will have at your disposal 200km of trails, some easy, some harder, but well indicated and accessible. The rain, then the sun, the mist coming from mountain rivers, the waterfalls and greenery everywhere - there is something magic in the tropical forest.
Be it only snorkelling or scuba-diving, you will find plenty of opportunities to go under water in Guadeloupe. Coral reefs are not very far, sometimes only meters from the beach and there are lots of spots for scubadiving, opportunities to learn or to pass a degree.And there is also the "Reserve Cousteau" - actually not a real reserve, but a great place to see corrals, fish and sea life...
beautiful beaches, creeks, flowers, sents, tropical forest walks, exotic food, tropical weather, scuba dive. i really do miss the quality of life i had back there.almost everywhere you look, there is something beautiful to look at or smell or taste.
The white rum i tryed was a real surprise. it tastes definitly different to all rum i tasted before.Fish soup is a typical meal in guadeloupe if one likes that...Visiting a disco listening to french soka musique and watching the elegant beautiful locals you should not miss.Like real french, women wearing beautiful femine cloth, real eyecatch. If you see people dancing soca (most locals are black) you realy wish you could move your body just little like they do... Not speaking french keeps you very away of all contacts to the people.
Climate: tropical climate with temps between 26°-31°tempered by 'les vents alizés' (wind from the ocean) and mostly dry during the 'carême' season (January to May). More rainfall during 'l'hivernage' (September to November) with a chance of a hurricane.Landscape: very varied with mountains, rain forest with abundant tropical vegetation, a volcano, rivers and waterfalls on Basse Terre (left wing of the daffodil) ; savannah, mangroves, cliffs, white beaches and blue lagoons on Grande Terre (right wing of the daffodil).Music: music and dance are extremely important on the island. Mostly you will hear typical Antillian music like zouk or biguine. Very rhythmic and wonderfully exotic. Folklore: every city (or even village) has its own patron saint which is always good for a celebration. Other specific events are carnival (of course), la fête des cuisinières (the cook's festival), Indian...
Hotel Fort Royal Guadeloupe
1 Review and 18 Opinions I worked at this place for 6 months. It was a Club Med, and was later closed. Lbelieve it is still...
Grand Case Beach Club Saint Martin
1 Review and 642 Opinions We stayed here in 1999 and it was the best vacation we ever had. Grand Case Beach Club was clean,...
Residence Anse des Sables Marigot
1 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Guadeloupe attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Guadeloupe sightseeing.
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Q: Hi: I'll be in Guadeloupe for 1 week from Aug 23rd. Can you let me know: (1) Is tap water safe to drink, esp in hotels (2) Is...
A: The below links will answer you some questions about water and electrical power supplying in...
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