Whisk away to the winter wonderland of Guadeloupe, where the sun-drenched beaches replace snowflakes, and the warm, inviting waters beckon you to a holiday unlike any other. In this tropical paradise, your winter blues will melt away, replaced by the vibrant hues of lush rainforests, azure skies, and the rich tapestry of culture that drapes the islands. As you explore the essential things to do in Guadeloupe, let each moment become a story, each experience a cherished memory.
Whether you’re basking in the golden sun, dancing to the beat of island drums, or savoring the spice of Creole flavors, Guadeloupe offers a symphony of experiences that will warm your soul and leave you enchanted long after your footprints leave the sand.
Dive
If you’re a water sports aficionado then Guadeloupe is the place for you. Everything from deep-sea fishing to kayaking, sailing, whale watching, surfing, jet skiing and more are available on the archipelago.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are certainly big in Guadeloupe. The island harbours magnificent underwater treasures such as coral reefs, colourful fish, turtles and even whales. The Jacques Cousteau’s Underwater Reserve is one of the best diving spots and encompasses 1000 hectares of underwater discoveries to be made.
Hike
Guadeloupe islands offer over a hundred miles of hiking trails for all levels, from hiking up to the top of La Soufrière volcano to taking an easy walk through the maze of trails within the zoo’s tropical forest. You will also find several hiking trails within the Guadeloupe National Park.
Other easy hikes are ones that allow you to visit La Pointe des Châteaux at the easternmost point of Grande Terre. Several hikes are available and allow you to discover the stunning rocky protrusion dotted with dramatic cliffs and lovely sandy beaches. The hike up to the cross is worth it since it offers breathtaking views of Guadeloupe’s three smaller islands of La Désirade and Petite-Terre.
Visit
Take a day to tour Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe’s largest commercial hub. Walk around the narrow streets and gaze at the colourful façades of the French colonial buildings. Another great example of that style of architecture is the Cathédrale de St-Pierre et St-Paul, which is definitely worth a visit. The unusual iron flying buttresses were conceived to withstand hurricanes.
Make your way to Place de la Victoire, which has seen its fair share of beheadings by guillotine during the French Revolution. Today, its dramatic past is all but forgotten by locals and tourists alike strolling through it. If you like shopping, Pointe-à-Pitre is the place to stock up on local artifacts and discounted French products such as cosmetics and fashion. If you’re a foodie, a visit to the Marché Couvert is a must! There you will find lovely and colourful stalls of exotic fruits, vegetables, artefacts, spices and local coffee.
Learn
The Parc Zoologique et Botanique de la Guadeloupe located in Basse-Terre is a wildlife lover’s paradise! With a mission to protect and save endangered and rare species, it evolves in the natural setting of a tropical forest. Hike your way through the maze of trails and spot some of the zoo’s residents such as monkeys, bats, birds, iguanas and jaguars.
Feeling adventurous? Climb your way to the top and make like Tarzan! Hang on to the jumble of rope bridges suspended over the forest’s canopy for a rarely seen vista of the tree tops.
Grill
Guadeloupe’s stunning beaches come in an array of colours and are all fine as flour: black volcanic sand, white, golden and even pink-hued sand. It would be hard to list all of Guadeloupe’s beaches since the archipelago has been blessed with so many. If you’re looking for quieter locales, ask locals what their favourite off-the-beaten-paths ones are.
Some of our favourites beaches in Guadeloupe include:
- Plage Caravelle
- La Grande-Anse de Deshaies
- Plage de la Perle on Grand-Terre
- Datcha Beach on Grand-Terre
- And the many beaches of La Pointe des Châteaux
- The off shore islands of La Désirade, Petite-Terre and Marie-Galante all include stunning beaches as well.
Explore
If you’re a nature lover, then a visit to the Parc National de la Guadeloupe on Basse-Terre is a must! The park encompasses 43,000 thousand acres and was designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 1992. The highest summit in the park is the Soufrière active volcano at 1,467 meters.
If you’re a hiker, then you’ll be happy to know that the park boasts 300 kilometres of hiking trails. If you’re not, then you can visit the park by driving around and stopping at the many lookouts along the way. The park boasts many bird species including some unique endemic ones! Also included are orchids, mammals, flowers, insects (including giant ones!), bats and fish and crustaceans.
Taste
Foodies are more than spoiled in Guadeloupe since the archipelago grows some of the most delectable morsels around. Coffee, chocolate and rum!
Do your homework before leaving and check out some of the plantations and distilleries you can tour while on the islands. Rum is, of course, a big deal and pride in Guadeloupean rum is fierce. Several distilleries offer tasting. You must not miss out on trying a “Ti-Punch”, the local concoction of lime juice, sugar and rum agricole (distilled from fresh sugar cane juice).
Guadeloupe is also one of the oldest coffee growing regions in the Americas. You can even stay at some of the coffee growing plantations such as Vanibel and La Grivelière or just visit for a tasting.
