Skip to content

Guadeloupe Country Guide

Overview

Guadeloupe is one of the Caribbean islands that charted by Columbus in the year 1493. Then in 1635, French colonies were established here. However though the British tried to occupy the islands in the 18th and 19th centuries, they never did succeed. Finally, in the year 1946, the islands were declared Overseas Departments.

If you think that Guadeloupe is an island with only a few beaches to boast of, you will be surprised to learn that it is also famous for its wildlife infested rainforest and for the highest waterfall in the Caribbean.

Guadeloupe consists of two islands, Basse Terre and Grande Terre, and a few smaller ones. All of the islands have spectacular scenery to enthrall you during your visit to Guadeloupe.

Terrain

While Basse-Terre has a rough volcanic terrain, Grande Terre is full of rolling hills and flat plains. In addition to this, there are many mountains with unspoiled and beautiful tropical scenery to admire here. The beaches on these islands vary from white palm fringed beaches to the volcanic created black sand.

Like most of the Caribbean islands, Guadeloupe boasts of restaurants, bars and discos where you can get a taste of local dancing and music. The famous and local dance of the islands is called Biguine which is done using colorful and ornate Creole costumes.

Musical entertainment

Basically, Biguine is music using clarinet and trombone, with nasal vocals and instrumental solos. Its dance roots stem from West African dance and have since then developed into a modernized dance by embracing steps from other genres like jazz and pop.

If all this music and dance do not get your toes tapping, take a drink or two of Guadeloupeā€™s famous rum punch cocktails of rum, lime, bitter and syrup to get you dancing under the stars.

Peace and tranquility

Guadeloupe is also famous as tranquil islands. St. Barthelemy, Marie-Galante, La Desirade and Les Saintes are undeveloped but attractive islands and best visited by those who love exploring. Some of them have old and crumbling mills to remind you of its sugar plantation connection.

Pointe-a-Pitre is located on Grande-Terre and is the commercial capital of Guadeloupe. The Place de la Victoire is the square found in its core, surrounded by a busy market and the docks further down.

Trois Rivieres is a small town, but has a collection of interesting Indian relics for you to visit. The national Park of Guadeloupe boasts of great natural beauty and is located at the base of a dormant volcano.

Things to do

Guadeloupe is considered to be one of the best dive sites of the world. While in Guadeloupe, you can go snorkeling or diving in its clear waters and explore its colorful flora and fauna. You could also just laze on the beaches here or go walking and picnicking in the rainforests.

The beaches here are great for swimming where its sand varies with the area. Grande-Terre has white sand; its western end has black sand beaches while the leeward coast is full of brown sand beaches. Nude and topless sunbathing is permitted only in a few beaches. What more could you expect from a terrific holiday!

Guadeloupe Regions

Latest Wiki Updates

Latest Guadeloupe Trip Insights

There are no Guadeloupe articles at this time.

Guadeloupe Pictures

There are no Guadeloupe pictures at this time.

Top Guadeloupe Attractions



Advertisement

Simple stock market strategy for better returns
SmartMoneyUp.com