Guadeloupe (Creole: Gwadloup, also Gwada) is an archipelago (a group of
islands) and belongs to the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean, north of
Dominica.
Guadeloupe, a French overseas region in the Caribbean,
offers beautiful beaches, water sports such as snorkeling and diving,
the Guadeloupe National Park with rainforest and volcanoes, a rich
cultural diversity, historical sites and active volcanoes. Island
hopping allows you to experience the diversity of the islands.
Traditional music and dances are part of the culture, and the relaxed
Caribbean atmosphere and lively carnival are other highlights.
The island of Basse-Terre is characterized by volcanic activity and is
home to the La Soufrière volcano, the highest point on the island. La
Soufrière is one of the most active volcanoes in the Caribbean and has
experienced several eruptions in the past.
The mountain ranges
and valleys, which give the terrain a very varied topography, are often
densely covered with lush rainforest.
The coasts of Guadeloupe
offer a varied mix of long sandy beaches, steep cliffs and bays. The
waters around Guadeloupe are home to an extensive coral reef system that
is rich in biodiversity and attracts snorkelers and divers. The
extensive mangrove forests on the coasts and in the estuaries are home
to numerous species of birds, fish and other animals.
Guadeloupe is divided into the arrondissements of
Basse-Terre and Pointe-à-Pitre. It consists of the following island
(group)s:
1 Basse-Terre . Basse-Terre is one of the two main
islands of Guadeloupe and the more western of the two. It is home to the
capital Basse-Terre and the Parc National de Guadeloupe, which as a
national park protects the natural beauty and volcanic landscape of the
island.
2 Grande-Terre . Grande-Terre is the more eastern of the two
main islands and is home to the city of Pointe-à-Pitre, the economic
center of Guadeloupe. The island is known for its long sandy beaches and
flatter terrain compared to Basse-Terre.
3 La Désirade . La Désirade
is a small, barren and almost uninhabited island located east of
Grande-Terre, where lepers were once abandoned. It is less developed and
known for its unspoiled nature, secluded beaches and bird watching
opportunities.
4 Les Saintes (îles des Saintes) . This archipelago
south of Basse-Terre consists of several small islands and is a popular
destination for sailors and divers. Terre-de-Haut is the largest island
in this group and has beautiful beaches and historical sites. It is very
popular with sailors, but is also well worth a visit for anyone else.
5 Marie-Galante . Marie-Galante is an island west of Grande-Terre and is
known for its sugar cane plantations, beaches and ruins of old
windmills. The island also has a relaxed atmosphere and is a great place
to experience local culture and traditions.
6 Îlets Pigeon . the
small group of islands that lie off the coast of Malendure (a district
of Bouillante). They are popular with divers and snorkelers because of
their coral reef and can be reached by glass-bottom boat.
as well as
several small islands that are not mentioned here.
The two main
islands have very different landscapes. While the western island of
Basse-Terre is of volcanic origin and has the highest elevation in
Guadeloupe with the still hissing volcano La Soufrière (1467 m), the
eastern island of Grande-Terre consists of limestone and is essentially
flat. These differences are also reflected in the vegetation:
Grande-Terre is largely used for agriculture, while in the mountainous
center of Basse-Terre, dense, original forest has been preserved.
There are a total of 32 municipalities in Guadeloupe.
On the island of Basse-Terre, the municipalities are predominantly
rural. They usually consist of a central village (French: bourg), which
gives the commune its name, as well as some surrounding villages
(French: section) and scattered houses.
On the island of
Grande-Terre, several communes are urban in character. They consist of a
town (French: ville), which gives the commune its name, and sometimes
surrounding villages and scattered houses.
On the other inhabited
islands, there are only villages and scattered houses.
1 Baie-Mahault . The "old town" of Baie-Mahault is
almost idyllically located by the sea.
2 Baillif . Distillerie
Bologne is worth a visit here.
3 Basse-Terre . The capital of
Guadeloupe, Basse-Terre, is rich in history and culture. The Fort Louis
Delgrès and the Musée du Rhum are interesting to learn more about the
history of the island and rum production. Also worth a visit is the
famous Jardin Botanique, one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in
the world, and the Fort Delgrès, a historic fort that offers an
impressive view of the city.
4 Bouillante . This coastal town is
famous for its underwater world and is a popular destination for divers
and snorkelers.
5 Capesterre-Belle-Eau, Avenue Paul-Lacavé, 97130
Capesterre-Belle-Eau . This town is famous for its impressive banana
plantations.
6 Deshaies . Deshaies is a picturesque seaside town
known for its beaches. The popular TV series "Death in Paradise" was
also filmed here, mainly for the fictional Saint-Marie. Most of the
scenes in the series are set here. The police station, the cafe and
other important locations in the series are located in Deshaies.
7
Gourbeyre . This is the entrance to the Guadeloupe National Park, which
offers hikes through the dense rainforest and to the Carbet waterfalls.
8 Petit-Bourg . A charming town at the foot of the Soufrière volcano.
Here you can go hiking and explore the beautiful nature, for example the
'Cascade aux Ecrevisses', a waterfall.
9 Sainte-Rose . Sainte-Rose is
known for its impressive coastline, the beautiful Cluny beach and the
ruins of the Notre-Dame-des-Larmes church, which was destroyed by the
eruption of the La Soufrière volcano.
10 Trois-Rivières . This town
on the southern tip of Basse-Terre is a popular base for trips to the La
Soufrière volcano and the nearby hot springs. It is known for the
'Domaine de Bellevue' rum distillery and is also the starting point for
boat trips to Les Saintes island.
11 Le Gosier . A tourist town with beautiful beaches,
hotels, restaurants and a lively nightlife. Le Gosier beach is
particularly popular.
12 Morne-à-l'Eau . Known for its salt pans and
the colorful salt fields that create a unique landscape. It is worth
exploring these during a visit.
13 Pointe-à-Pitre . The largest city
in Guadeloupe and the economic center of the island. It offers a
bustling market, the 'Memorial ACTe' museum on the history of the slave
trade and a lively atmosphere.
14 Sainte-Anne . Famous for its
beautiful beaches, such as the Plage de Bois Jolan and the Plage de la
Caravelle. It is a popular destination for sunbathers and water sports
enthusiasts.
15 Saint-François . Known for its international golf
course and charming fishing port. Here you will also find the Pointe des
Châteaux, a spectacular cliff with breathtaking views.
The forestry administration, the forerunner of today's national park
administration, was founded in Guadeloupe in 1924. The various parts of
the parks have now been combined to form a biosphere reserve
Guadeloupe National Park
1 Guadeloupe National Park (Guadeloupe [Aire
D'Adhésion]), Habitation Beausoleil, Montéran. It is 17,300 hectares in
size and has existed since 1989. The park administration has information
offices in three locations that provide information on all activities
and events related to the national park.
Maison du Volcan, Route de
la Soufrière, Saint Claude. Tel.: (0)590 803343.
Maison du Bois,
Pointe-Noire. Tel.: (0)590 981690. Open: daily 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Maison de la Forêt, Route des Mamelles. Tel.: (0)590 301479. Open: daily
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
2 Nature reserve of the Petite-Terre Islands (réserve
naturelle nationale des îles de la Petite-Terre)
3 Guadeloupe Zoo
(zoo de Guadeloupe au Parc des Mamelles), Route de la Traversée. Tel.:
(0)590 988352. The national park, which has existed since 1967, has been
declared a protected biotope by UNESCO. It is located 7½ km from the
coast at an altitude of 770 m above sea level, where the Trace des
Cretes crosses the main road. The site has around 400,000 visitors a
year. There are hiking trails through the tropical rainforest, a treetop
walk, a small zoo and a restaurant. The visit is highly recommended, but
limited. The starting point for organized trips is the Malendure beach.
Open: daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
4 Réserve Naturelle du Grand Cul-de-Sac
Marin (Grand Cul-de-sac marin de la Guadeloupe). Together with the
marine lagoon, the marine park covers 3,740 hectares. This national
park, established in 1987, is intended to protect the mangrove forests
in the Cul-de-Sac. The small islands of Ilet à Christophe, Ilet à Fajou,
Ilet Colas, Ilet de Carénage and La Biche in particular are breeding
grounds for over 100 species of birds. Kingfishers, ospreys, frigate
birds, grey pelicans, herons and wading birds live in the salt lagoon
and the estuary of the Grande Riviére a Goyaves river, which grows 10
meters into the sea every year. Since 1990, it has been possible to
travel through the park on some of the canals with guides and
glass-bottom boats. The Grande Riviére a Goyaves is also navigable for
around 9km.
5 Crayfish waterfall (cascade aux écrevisses). A popular
attraction is the crayfish waterfall Cascade aux Ecrevisses. It is
easily accessible from a car park on the Route des Mamelles, from there
it is only a good 100m on a flat footpath through a lush green tropical
rainforest. You will no longer find any crayfish in the waterfall, which
is only around 10m high, but there is information about the national
park at the start of the path.
6 Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve. 301 hectares in size. This underwater park includes the coral reefs around the island of Ilet de Pigeon. Underwater hunting is prohibited and boat traffic has been restricted. The starting point for organized trips is the Plage Malendure.
Before European arrival: Guadeloupe was originally populated by the
Arawak and Carib Indians. Christopher Columbus was the first European to
reach the islands in 1493. In the 17th century, Guadeloupe became a
major base for the transatlantic slave trade.
Colonial rule:
During the 17th century, the islands passed back and forth between the
French and British colonial powers several times. They finally became
permanently French in the 18th century.
Period of slavery: During
the 18th and 19th centuries, Guadeloupe was a center of sugar production
based on slave labor. Slavery was not officially abolished until 1848.
World War II and deportation: During World War II, Guadeloupe was
supported by the Vichy French, which led to the deportation of some
residents who protested against collaboration.
Modern history:
After World War II, Guadeloupe developed politically and was granted the
status of an overseas region of France. In the 1980s, there was social
and political unrest that led to political reforms.
Autonomy
movements: In recent decades, there have been discussions in Guadeloupe
about greater autonomy or even independence from France. However, these
discussions are complex and controversial.
Current situation:
Guadeloupe is now a French overseas region with a rich cultural
diversity, drawing on African, European and Caribbean influences. The
islands are a popular tourist destination and have a thriving economy
based on tourism, agriculture and industry.
The Parc National has been declared a protected biotope by UNESCO.
There are over 300 species of trees there, the most notable of which are
the chestnut tree "Acomat Boucan", the white rubber tree and the
Courbaril. Over 270 species of fern and 90 species of orchid have been
counted. There are also 38 species of birds, 17 species of mammals and
hundreds of insects. Animal species include a black woodpecker, which
only lives in Guadeloupe, and the raccoon, which is called "Racoon" on
the island.
A few kilometers south of Deshaies is the Deshaies
Jardin Botanique, a worthwhile botanical garden that is dedicated to the
local flora and fauna, among other things.
Today, visitors will hardly find any remains of the cotton and
tobacco plantations of the first colonists. By 1730, indigo was no
longer being grown on the entire island. In 1885, coffee was still being
grown on 21,000 hectares, but today it is only 3,700 hectares. The
remains of the coffee plantations are on the west and south sides of the
Basse-Terre half of the island. Originally, these plantations were mixed
with cocoa, vanilla and citrus plants. Bananas were planted from 1923
onwards.
On the Grande-Terre half of the island, on the other
hand, the geometrically laid out sugar plantations of 100 - 300 hectares
in size have been preserved over large areas, as have many of the
plantation houses, some of which can be visited as museums.
The
introduction of the steam engine caused the great upheaval. Large sugar
factories were built and processed the sugar cane from several
plantations. Railway trains took over the transport. The individual
planters were degraded to suppliers with no influence. The overabundance
of beet sugar led to the great sugar crisis between 1883 and 1890.
Prices fell by half, the indebted habitats ran into payment difficulties
and were taken over by banks and industrial companies.
The area
used to grow sugar cane has been drastically reduced in recent years,
and bananas are now growing on the freed-up areas.
An EC quota
system guarantees the purchase of sugar at prices well above the world
market price. This quota is generally not met.
The rum
distilleries are small businesses with 20-200 hectares of sugar cane
plantations. Additional sugar cane is supplied by small farmers. For the
Rhum agricole produced here, the sugar cane is cut exclusively with a
machete, as has been the case for centuries. One third is produced for
local consumers, two thirds are exported. Some of the rum distilleries
and sugar mills that are still in operation can be visited on request;
you have to inquire on site.
The French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe served as the backdrop for the fictional island of Saint Marie. It is mentioned several times in the series as a neighboring island. The main filming location of the series is the village of Deshaies in the northwest of Guadeloupe. This is where the police station (next to the village church), Megan Talbot's hotel (Restaurant L'Amer) and Catherine's Bar (actually Restaurant La Kaz) are located. Further north on the beaches of Plage de la Perle, Anse du Petit Bas Vent and Plage de Clugny there are other filming locations.
By plane
The journey from Germany usually goes via Paris. Since
Guadeloupe is a French overseas department and is served by the
"domestic airport" Paris-Orly and flights from Germany usually go to
Charles de Gaulle Airport, you usually have to change airports in Paris.
The journey on the ring road takes at least 70 minutes. Luggage must be
checked out in Charles de Gaulle and checked in again in Orly. This is
something you should definitely pay attention to when booking.
The French airline Air Caraïbes also offers flights from Charles de
Gaulle.
1 International Airport Aéroport Pôle Caraibes (Aéroport
Guadeloupe - Maryse Condé, IATA: PTP). Runway 11/29. 11,499 x 148 feet
(3,505 x 45 m), asphalt. An average of 1.8 million passengers are
processed there each year.
2 Basse-Terre, Baillif (aérodrome de Basse
Terre - Baillif, IATA: BBR). Runway 11/32, runway 2,034 x 49 feet (620
x 15 m).
3 Saint-François (aérodrome de Saint-François, IATA:
SFC). 600m runway for light aircraft up to 5.7 tons. There is no
aviation fuel there. Immigration and customs authorities: Tel. (0)590
844076, Police: Tel. (0)590 820648, Weather report: Tel. (0)590 820372.
4 Aérodrome de Marie-Galante (IATA: GBJ). Tel.: (0)590 978221,
(0)590 979400.
By boat
Guadeloupe is connected to the
neighboring islands of Dominica, Martinique and St. Lucia by fast
ferries from Pointe-à-Pitre - a good travel option if you want to get to
know more than one island.
Regional ferry connections exist
between the islands of La Desirade and the city of Saint-François;
between the island of Marie-Galante and the cities of Saint-François and
Pointe-à-Pitre; and between the Las Saintes archipelago and the cities
of Basse-Terre, Pointe-à-Pitre and Trois-Rivières.
There are no
ferry connections to the islands of Saint-Barthelemy and Saint-Martin.
Public transport
There are regular buses on the two main islands.
These connect all the communities along the national roads. But on the
one hand, Europeans have to get used to a slightly different concept of
punctuality, and on the other hand, many (tourist) destinations cannot
be easily reached by bus, so that a rental car is usually required.
Rental cars
On the islands, traffic drives on the right. The
maximum speed is 80 km/h, in towns 50 km/h.
On Basse-Terre in
particular, the roads have been adapted to the terrain and are sometimes
difficult to drive on. Slopes of over 10% are not uncommon and often
push the often underpowered rental cars to their limits. Dangers in road
traffic: the locals rarely stick to the speed limit and overtake in
places where visibility is limited, especially on motorcycles and
scooters. When it rains, the roads can quickly become slippery.
The local providers often have cheaper offers than the international
providers.
Language
The official language is French. The locals mostly speak Guadeloupe Creole among themselves. English is only spoken by a few people.
Fabrics with Creole motifs
Dolls in traditional costume
Straw
mats and straw hats
Rum - or as it is called here, "Rhum". This
is not rum as it is known in Europe, but so-called "Rhum acricole". This
is not made from molasses, but from sugar cane juice and has a very
special taste.
Note: Guadeloupe is a special tax zone. The quantities
of goods that can be imported into mainland Europe are usually the same
as those from non-EU countries. If necessary, you should ask customs.
Protected animal species or parts of them are not allowed to be
imported into mainland Europe. "Certificates" issued by some dealers,
e.g. for turtles or their parts, or mussels, are worthless at customs.
Most restaurants in Guadeloupe offer local Creole cuisine. These
restaurants are often found on a beach or very close to a beach, on a
shore or in a marina, and on a national road.
There are also some
restaurants serving fine French cuisine.
International cuisine
and fast food are also represented in Guadeloupe.
Boudin créole (or boudin for short). A blood sausage seasoned with
Creole ingredients.
Féroce d'avocat. A variation of guacamole. You
never know how spicy it is before you try it.
Bananas. The dessert
banana tastes great on its own or flambéed with rum and is the ideal
ingredient for countless recipes, whether as jam, cake, tart, ice cream,
fruit salad, punch or smoothie. The plantain, which is an indispensable
part of the cuisine of the Antilles, can be fried, grilled, boiled or
made into chips.
Accras. The very popular accras are small doughnuts
that are traditionally made with stockfish. Some also contain other fish
or shrimp or vegetables. According to tradition, the doughnuts are
prepared with vegetables on Good Friday. Every year in August, on the
Saturday closest to Saint Lawrence's Day, a parade takes place in which
Guadeloupean chefs dress up in traditional costumes and parade through
the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre, offering accras and other Creole dishes.
Sorbet coco. This refreshing treat is prepared by beach vendors in
traditional wooden sorbet tubs and is an ideal snack after swimming in
the sea or a little siesta on the beach.
Rhum agricole. The
agricultural rum made from sugar cane juice. The number of distilleries
in Guadeloupe has decreased significantly over time and therefore less
is produced. However, Guadeloupe still has nine very famous
distilleries.
Ti Punch (rhum, lime, cane sugar). Is traditionally
served in many restaurants by placing a glass, a slice of lime, cane
sugar and a whole bottle of rhum on the table for the guest to mix their
own Ti Punch. Be careful with the dosage: the rhum has at least 50%
alcohol by volume. A local saying goes: "Tue-toi toi-même!" ("Kill
yourself!")
Planteur. Rhum with fruit juices.
Rhum au coco. Rhum
with coconut water.
Gratin de christophine (or Cristophine for
short). The chayote, called "Christophine" in Guadeloupe, is a large
green or white pear-shaped berry that tastes like zucchini or potatoes.
It is low in calories and contains a lot of vitamin C, B9 and
oligoelements. It is a fruit from the gourd family and has
health-promoting properties.
Colombo. Colombo, a spice mixture, is an
essential ingredient in Guadeloupean cuisine. Traditionally, it is made
of turmeric, coriander seeds, cumin, fenugreek, mustard seeds and black
pepper. This aromatic preparation, milder than curry, is a wonderful way
to spice up vegetables or dishes with chicken, shrimp, pork, swordfish
and lobster. The famous and delicious chicken Colombo is one of the most
emblematic dishes in Guadeloupe. Every year at the end of July, the
Colombo festival takes place in the municipality of Saint-François.
Poulet boucané. The The famous smoked chicken, popular for its spicy and
juicy taste, is made with meat that has been marinated in onion, garlic,
spring onions, chilli, lemon juice, thyme, oil, salt and pepper and then
cooked very slowly on the grill over a gentle, moist heat and without
flame.
Chien sauce. This seasoning sauce is traditionally made with
spring onions, onions, garlic, parsley, chilli, lemon juice, oil, warm
water, salt and pepper. It is served with grilled chicken, meat and
fish.
Jams. Contrary to what one might think, Creole jams are not
made to be stored, but are served as a dessert and are often found in a
local cake. The most popular jams are those made with banana, coconut,
guava, mango, pineapple and papaya.
Coco blanc-manger. To prepare
this dessert, you will need coconut milk, sweet condensed milk, gelatine
leaves, vanilla, cinnamon and grated lime zest.
Fricassée de
ouassous. The ouassou is a large freshwater shrimp that is very popular
in Guadeloupe and can be prepared in a number of ways: grilled, flambéed
with rum or as a fricassee served as a main course. The Pointe-Noire
Aquaculture Park, which is set in beautiful green nature, offers guided
tours of the shrimp breeding tanks.
Blaff de poisson (or blaff for
short). Traditionally, this stew is made with snapper, tuna or mackerel.
The name of this stew comes from the sound the fish makes when it falls
into the pot of boiling water. Sometimes this dish is offered as court
bouillon. It then contains a little less fish and a little more broth,
so it is a kind of fish soup.
Tourment d'amour. This cake, which
comes from the archipelago of Les Saintes, is a sweet that fishermen's
wives made for their husbands to cheer them up after a long day at sea.
Every year, during the patron saint's festival in Terre-de-Haut on
August 15th, a competition to make the best and biggest lovesickness
cake is held.
Bébélé. Bébélé originates from the island of
Marie-Galante and is a speciality made from tripe and green bananas, the
recipe of which is said to have originated in the Antilles during the
slave trade.
Jambon de Noël. As its name suggests, Christmas ham is
served at the end of the year celebrations. In the last century, this
ham was brought to the islands dried and salted for preservation
purposes and it took several days to remove the salt. Today, it is
already cooked, which significantly reduces preparation time.
Bokit.
The bokit is a typical Guadeloupean sandwich that is fried in hot oil.
Today, the bokit is usually made of flour, lard, water, salt and yeast.
The sandwich can be served plain or garnished with stockfish, tuna, ham,
chicken or spider snail. The bokit is tender and melting on the inside
and crispy on the outside and has a particularly aromatic taste. Every
year in July, the town of Deshaies organizes the Bokit Festival, where
you can try this delicious speciality in good spirits.
Cassava.
Cassava has been prepared for ages and is a round pancake made from
cassava flour. Cassava was traditionally used to make edible plates. It
can also be used as bread to spread on or dip in sauces. In
Capesterre-Belle-Eau, you can visit a cassava factory where cassava and
other products made from cassava flour are made in the traditional way.
Nightlife as you would expect from mainland Europe, such as discos, is something you would have to look for with a magnifying glass in Guadeloupe. On some islands, this does not exist at all. If at all, such nightlife can be found in the tourist centers on the south coast of Grande-Terre.
There are different types of accommodation in Guadeloupe. They are
usually divided into:
Apartments or studios
Gîtes (local-style
bungalows)
Hotels
Private rooms
Villas
The dry season usually extends from December to May and is the best time to travel. The weather is pleasant during this time with less rain and lower humidity. Temperatures are usually between 25°C and 30°C, which is ideal for beach visits, diving and other outdoor activities. The rainy season lasts from June to November and is typically wetter with occasional heavy rainfall and a higher probability of tropical storms or hurricanes.
There is an institute that offers half-day or full-day French courses for holidaymakers.
Guadeloupe is considered to be quite safe for tourists - comparable to other Caribbean regions. But still: beware of pickpockets!
The Lesser Antilles are malaria-free. Otherwise, the usual
precautions for travel to tropical countries should be observed ("Peel
it, cook it or forget it"). Guadeloupe is a bilharzia area, so swimming
in stagnant freshwater should be avoided. Further information on health
risks and vaccination recommendations can be found here.
Sand
flies are found on almost all beaches. Their bites can cause
long-lasting and painful reactions.
Mosquitoes are annoying, but
not dangerous. Nevertheless, you should sleep under a mosquito net and
use anti-mosquito sprays and candles.
Since the standard of
living in the French overseas departments is higher than on other
Caribbean islands, medical care is also very good.
There are 5
hospitals and 23 clinics and first aid stations in Guadeloupe. The
European health insurance card is accepted in all French overseas
departments.
Divers should be careful of fire coral (painful skin
rashes), wear swimming shoes when diving, these protect against
sharp-edged reefs and sea urchins. Their spines must be completely
removed. Contact with jellyfish can lead to skin rashes or mild
paralysis. Sharks stay off the reefs, come closer to the coast at night,
do not swim from a boat or in the dark.
Guadeloupe is in the tropical northeast trade wind zone. The amount of precipitation varies greatly depending on the island and location. At Saint-François, the annual average is around 700 mm, at Pointe-à-Pitre it is 1,000 to 1,200 mm and in the Soufriere area it is 8,000 to 10,000 mm. Three quarters of the rain falls between July and December. The average annual temperature at sea level is 25 ºC, on the Soufriere it can drop to 0 ºC.
There are no "classic" seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) in Guadeloupe. A distinction is made between a "dry" and a "rainy" season, based on the average amount of precipitation.
Severe storms and cyclones can cause great damage. The cyclone of
September 1928 is known as the storm of the century; there were around
1,500 deaths and, along with other buildings, all public facilities were
destroyed.
Hurricanes "Betsy" in 1956, "Ines" in 1966, "David"
and "Frederick" both in 1979 also caused significant material damage.
The last major hurricane was "Maria" in 2017, which caused some damage.
Nevertheless, there is no reason to avoid a trip to Guadeloupe
during the hurricane season (June to November). All public institutions,
hotels and landlords of private accommodation are set up to give locals
and tourists appropriate advice in the event of an emergency and to
offer protection if necessary.
Many locals, especially market stall operators, do not like it when you take their photos. Be sure to ask beforehand whether you are allowed to do so, otherwise it can lead to very unpleasant situations.
There are public telephone booths at all post offices and at
Pointe-à-Pitre airport. They are almost exclusively card phones. French
telephone cards (“télécarte”) with 50 or 120 units are available at post
offices.
Since Guadeloupe is part of the EU, the roaming rules
applicable to the EU apply. A mobile phone contract that includes EU
roaming therefore also applies to Guadeloupe.
To reach a number
in Guadeloupe, you always have to dial the regional code (590), even
from Guadeloupe. This is identical to the international code for
Guadeloupe, which is a bit confusing. The actual phone numbers are
always six digits long. Example: landline number: 123456; from a number
in Guadeloupe dial 0590 123456, from a German number dial +590 590
123456.