North America › Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe

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Caribbean Gem with French Flair

Guadeloupe is a French overseas territory in the Caribbean, made up of two main islands and several smaller ones. The landscape features volcanic mountains, lush rainforests and white sandy beaches with calm turquoise waters. Local culture reflects African, European and Caribbean influences seen in music, food and traditions. Visitors can explore historic towns like Basse-Terre and Pointe-à-Pitre, hike through natural parks or relax by the sea. The tropical climate supports a variety of plants and wildlife throughout the year.

Outer Territory in France
Climate zone: Tropical rainforest

Tropical rainforest: Equatorial climates with year-round high temperatures and heavy rainfall, supporting dense evergreen forests and rich biodiversity.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury

Note: There can be large regional differences in price levels within a country. Be sure to check the price data of individual cities or regions to get a more detailed view.

See price details
Safety: 5.3
General Safety:5
Health & medical:7
Accessibility:4
Tap water:4
Read details
Tourist English: 3/5
English is moderately spoken in tourist areas and hotels, but French remains dominant. Basic French or Creole phrases enhance interactions outside main resorts.
Last update: 22 Oct 2026
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Guadeloupe Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Excellent for Caribbean beaches and rainforest hikes. Swim in clear bays, explore waterfalls in national parks, visit colorful markets and enjoy Creole cuisine.
Place score
7.6
Best at:
Islands
9
Beaches
9
Forests
8
Sea
8
Spirits
8
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 7
Families
🧓 5
Seniors
❤️ 8
Couples
🛡️ 7
Travel Beginners
Guadeloupe – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type E
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type E:
Diagram of a Type E power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Euro (EUR)
£1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info: Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in Guadeloupe, especially in larger cities and tourist areas. Credit cards are commonly used in hotels and restaurants.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in Guadeloupe, but a 5-10% tip is appreciated in restaurants for good service. Taxi drivers may expect small tips for good service.
Public drinking: Public drinking is generally not allowed in Guadeloupe, and alcohol is consumed in licensed venues such as bars and restaurants.
Public smoking: Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, including restaurants and bars.
National Day
(14 July)
Celebrates France's National Day
Christmas
(25 December)
Widely celebrated across the island
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps:
Other: Guadeloupe, an overseas region of France, is known for its stunning beaches, tropical climate, and vibrant Creole culture. It offers a blend of French and Caribbean influences, making it an excellent destination for relaxation and adventure.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Guadeloupe, Guadeloupe
☁️
Jan
☁️
Feb
🔥
Mar
🔥
Apr
🔥
May
🔥
Jun
🌦️
Jul
🌦️
Aug
🌦️
Sep
🌦️
Oct
🌦️
Nov
🔥
Dec
High season: Jan. - April, Dec.
Shoulder season: May - Aug., Nov.
Crowdedness: 5 (Moderate tourist numbers)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Hurricane season June to November, highest risk August to October
Carnival runs from early January to Ash Wednesday, with parades at weekends and the main days in February
Climate differs by island: Basse-Terre is rainy and green with hiking, Grande-Terre is drier with the best beaches

Why travel to Guadeloupe?

Traveling to Guadeloupe means experiencing colorful Creole culture alongside spectacular natural beauty. The islands provide opportunities for hiking in Basse-Terre’s volcanic mountains, enjoying pristine beaches on Grande-Terre and exploring underwater coral reefs. Delicious cuisine, French wines and lively festivals add to the charm. Visitors should note the tropical climate brings wetter seasons with occasional hurricanes and some areas have limited infrastructure. Being mindful of weather forecasts and travel insurance is recommended.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Zoo de Guadeloupe au Parc des Mamelles
  • 2 Mémorial ACTe
  • 3 La Soufrière
  • 4 Second Carbet Falls
  • 5 Pointe des Chateaux
  • 6 Fort Delgrès
  • 7 Plage de Grande Anse
  • 8 Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul
  • 9 Réserve Cousteau
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Les Saintes
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Guadeloupe National Park
  • 2 La Soufrière
  • 3 Third Carbet Falls
  • 4 Plage de la Datcha
  • 5 Pointe de la Grande Vigie
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 MC Market
🎈Events
  • Carnival of Guadeloupe
  • Fête des Cuisinières
  • La Route du Rhum Regatta
  • Jazz à Guadeloupe Festival
  • Guadeloupe Music Festival
  • Fête de la Musique
  • Tour des Yoles Rondes
  • Guadeloupe Marathon
  • Saint Anne Kite Festival
  • Christmas and New Year Celebrations

Knowledge before you go

  • Pack reef-safe sunscreen; coral reefs are protected and sensitive.
  • Arrive early for popular beaches, as crowds swell during peak season and local vendors open late.
  • Use public transport or shared taxis to avoid high parking fees near tourist spots, especially in Pointe-à-Pitre.
  • Explore the historic French Quarter at sunset; its colonial architecture offers unique photo opportunities before evening lights.

How to travel to Guadeloupe

Pointe‑À‑Pitre International Airport is the main gateway with flights from France, other Caribbean islands and North America. Ferries provide sea access between islands within the archipelago and to neighboring territories.

Access summary

  • Fly into Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP) from Paris, Miami, Montreal.
  • From Martinique/Dominica: Ferries or short flights to PTP.
  • Air Caraïbes/Air Antilles based here; no major alliances.

Where to stay in Guadeloupe

Accommodation ranges from beachfront resorts to charming guesthouses and eco-lodges. Most tourist facilities concentrate around Pointe-à-Pitre, Le Gosier and Saint-François, with some isolated eco-resorts on less populated islands.

How to get around Guadeloupe

Getting around Guadeloupe is easiest by car, especially to access the more remote natural and cultural sites. Public buses exist but are limited, so renting a vehicle is popular among tourists. Ferries serve connections between islands like Grande-Terre, Basse-Terre and Les Saintes.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+5 %
Daily expenses in Guadeloupe are around 5% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£83
£191
£475
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£41
£105
£225
🍝 Food per day
£35
£76
£217
🚕 Transportation per day
£7
£10
£33
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£26
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£17
🍟 Fast food combo
£11.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£12
☕ Cappuccino
£3.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£5.50
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£1.30
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£20
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£2
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£9
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£19
🤧 Cold medication
£7.50
💇 Basic haircut
£19

Safety information overview

General safety
5
Guadeloupe is generally safe for tourists, with low violent crime but occasional petty theft. Visitors should exercise typical precautions, especially in crowded tourist spots.
Health & Medical
7
Healthcare facilities are adequate in urban centers, with clinics and hospitals providing general services. Severe cases may require transfer to mainland France or other Caribbean medical centers.
Accessi­bility
4
Tourist areas and major attractions offer reasonable accessibility, but rugged natural sites can be challenging for visitors with reduced mobility.
Tap water
4
Tap water is generally safe to drink but bottled water is commonly preferred, especially in rural or coastal areas.

Packing recommendations for Guadeloupe

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