Guadeloupe! Dreaming of discovering the jewels that the butterfly island holds. Imagine yourself! Lying on the beach, ti-punch in your right hand, accras in the other; you are finally ready to explore the island's roads, discovering its most beautiful sites. 🌴☀️
However, to have a successful trip to Guadeloupe, it's important to outline the main aspects of your stay. How long should you stay? When should you come to Guadeloupe? How do you find seasonal accommodation? Where can you find vacation rentals at the best price? What is there to do in Guadeloupe? How do you get around once you're there? What are the must-see sights in Guadeloupe?
In this article, we give you some travel tips to make your stay unforgettable. 😍
How long to stay in Guadeloupe?
GuadeloupeGuadeloupe) is part of the Lesser Antilles. It is an archipelago composed of several islands and islets; Guadeloupe is not limited to its main island, it is composed of 5 inhabited islands:
Visit Guadeloupe and its 4 islands form an archipelago of 1702 km². Bordered to the west by the Caribbean Sea and to the east by the’Atlantic Ocean.
Guadeloupe is brimming with treasures to discover, whether you decide to go for a week, ten days, a month, or three months! Prepare your itinerary in advance. You'll leave filled with memories, with only one goal: to plan your next vacation on the butterfly island.
ZeWelcome's advice: for a short stay, make a choice!
One might often be tempted to stay «in the middle» of the island to be able to do everything. But one quickly realizes that Guadeloupe is not that small, and that even by staying in Le Gosier, which is quite central, one quickly ends up driving for an hour a day; whether it's to go hiking in Basse-Terre, or to enjoy the beaches of Sainte-Anne.
The best time to go to Guadeloupe is during the dry season, which runs from December to May.
Strictly speaking, there is no ideal time to stay in Guadeloupe. The tropical Caribbean climate can be compared to «summer all year round» in Europe. The average temperature is 27°, which can drop to 20° during the so-called rainy season, called «hivernage,» which runs from July to December; it can rise to 31° during the so-called dry season, called «carême,» which starts in January and ends in June.
To be completely transparent, the difference is only slightly noticeable in September. September is the time when it rains a little more often, with the potential formation of tropical storms or cyclones. The ideal time will simply be the date you choose to stay on the island. 😊
To delve a little deeper, check out our article on The best seasons to visit Guadeloupe.
A must-see: The Carnival
If you wish to immerse yourself in Caribbean culture and meet the locals, you can experience one of the most anticipated cultural events for Caribbean people; a significant and essential moment for Guadeloupeans: The Carnival«Kanalwhich spans a two-month period from January to February.
Every weekend, you can watch parades in the different towns on the island. Every Sunday, you'll witness magnificent parades on themes chosen well in advance by the organizers. The groups are classified by categories according to their type of music: "groupe à Pô," "groupe à Mass," and "groupe à caisses claires.".
There's no shortage of creativity when it comes to choosing the colorful costumes. The lively music will have you tapping your feet on the sidewalk with every passing parade. The Guadeloupe Carnival is truly an experience to be had.
Our article on the Carnival in Guadeloupe will give you all the details to understand this tradition.
Should you get travel insurance for a vacation in Guadeloupe?
If you are not sure about traveling, or if you want more flexibility, you can subscribe to a Comprehensive travel insurance which will allow you to get a refund for your accommodation rental. This generally includes cancellation for any justified reason, interruption of stay, and inability to travel if you contract COVID-19.
When it comes to healthcare, Guadeloupe offers the same quality of care as mainland France. Your Vitale card works here just as it does in all French departments. Like any trip far from your home country, you are not immune to the need for repatriation.
Without imagining the worst, travel insurance can give you the peace of mind to leave. It is therefore a point not to be overlooked. Depending on its coverage, it will also serve you for your Car rental in Guadeloupe. Think about contacting your bank to inquire about the insurance included by default in your bank card contracts.
How to find seasonal rentals in Guadeloupe at the best price?
What type of accommodation for your vacation rental?
To have a successful trip to Guadeloupe, you need to choose the type of accommodation that suits you. There are plenty of vacation rental options in Guadeloupe. These can range from a hotel room to an apartment in a residence, including guesthouses or a beautiful villa with 360° sea views right on the water. 😎
Depending on the length of your stay, you could book one or more accommodations. Ideally, choose your vacation rental based on the activities you have planned. If your priority is to enjoy the beaches of southern Grande-Terre, a vacation rental in Saint-François Guadeloupe is perfect; you'll have everything nearby. 😉
A villa, often a more economical choice than a hotel 👍
When traveling in a group, it may seem counterintuitive, but renting a beautiful villa with a pool is much more economical than taking hotel rooms. The total price may seem high at first glance, but once divided by price per person per night, you often realize you're saving money. 😋 #gooddeals
How to find your vacation rental?
⚠️ When booking your vacation accommodation, you might be tempted to use American sites like Airbnb or Vrbo. But be careful, the bill can quickly add up! Indeed, whether it's displayed or not, you will pay between 15 % and 20 % in service fees on the price of your accommodation!
✅ One tip to save a few hundred euros is to go through local rental websites. They have little to no service fees.
This is what is proposed the’ZeWelcome Agency. You can save up to 25% on your vacation rental in Guadeloupe. ZeWelcome offers you a selection of the best villas in Guadeloupe, providing security and saving you time when organizing your vacation. Browse the site and book in two clicks. Their concierge service will also help you prepare your stay and will welcome you in person.
How to get around Guadeloupe?
The preferred mode of transport for travelers remains Car rental. This is the most comfortable and practical solution for visiting the island's most beautiful sites. The roads are mostly paved; however, there are some difficult-to-access roads and some potholes on Basse-Terre. If possible, opt for a vehicle with a bit of ground clearance (like an SUV).
If you plan to visit the neighboring islands, Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, or La Désirade, a boat is obviously the preferred choice. You can reach the Lesser Antilles islands with The shipping company Express des Îles. It offers crossings departing from Pointe-à-Pitre, all week long.
If you wish to visit the butterfly island at a different pace, options remain such as: the bus or taxi, or even hitchhiking for the more adventurous among you.
You can also rent a scooter or motorcycle. However, we strongly advise against it for comfort and safety reasons. It rains buckets regularly. It lasts five minutes, but that's enough to make a scooter ride dangerous. The roads are narrow and drivers have a bad habit of driving too fast. It's better to opt for a car to enjoy your vacation safely!
What to do in Guadeloupe?
In Basse-Terre as well as Grande-Terre, there's no shortage of activities. You can choose to sunbathe on the white sand beaches of Grande-Terre, or the black sand beaches of Basse-Terre. The more adventurous can explore the many waterfalls of Basse-Terre.
On the island of beautiful waters, swimming is always in season. Nature lovers will be delighted by the lush nature of Grands-Fonds and the Basseterre forest. You won't have time to get bored. Whether you come to relax or prefer thrills, the archipelago is full of pretty beaches, renowned diving spots, and surf spots. And for the more adventurous, hiking trails await you.
Culinary enthusiasts will not be disappointed. The ZeWelcome Team has put together a nice guide to « Best restaurants in Saint-François, Guadeloupe«A lovely selection of Caribbean gastronomy establishments, if you wish to stop for lunch during your strolls in the south of Grande-Terre.
What to visit in Guadeloupe? The must-sees.
There's no shortage of places to visit in Guadeloupe. To make your trip to Guadeloupe a success, here's a non-exhaustive list of the best sites to see during your vacation in Guadeloupe. 😍
How to dress for a successful trip to Guadeloupe?
We're wondering how to dress for a stay in Guadeloupe. What should we pack for 10 days? The weather is nice all year round in Guadeloupe. Winter clothing isn't an issue, so it's time to break out your summer outfits. 🏖
To be sure you pack the essentials and don't overpack your suitcase, check out our article What to pack in your suitcase for a vacation in Guadeloupe.
Conclusion
There you go! You have all the good ideas and tips you need to have a successful trip to Guadeloupe. To carry out all these beautiful walks and excursions, book one of our beautiful luxury villas in Guadeloupe.
The traditional ti-punch and welcome fritters are already waiting for you 🍹🏖
Very good work and have a good trip on this adventure
Jean Talcone
Pingback: Getting to Les Saintes Islands in Guadeloupe - ZeWelcome Blog