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General Information On
Guadeloupe
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General Information |
The People of Guadeloupe
Passports, Visas and Entry
Requirements
Climate
Geography
Health and Safety
Currency
Electricity
People
Guadeloupians seem to be quite comfortable being a territory of France and is economically reliant on
France in the same way individual states are reliant on the U.S. federal
government. Guadeloupe could not meet the needs of its population without help
from the French national government in such areas as health care and education.
In fact, unlike many poorer Caribbean nations, Guadeloupe advocates for
education, and children between the age of 6 and 17 are required to attend
school, with many students going on to higher education opportunities in France
or at home. Guadeloupe is
home to a College of Education, a law school, and a science school. Just about
all of the residents of Guadeloupe are Creole and are native islanders with
African, Indian, and European ancestry. Even though only 10 percent of the
population is of pure African ancestry, Guadeloupe's customs bear the mark of
African culture. Catholicism is the major religion for the islanders.
Entry Requirements
For French citizens, a valid ID or passport is required for entry into
Guadeloupe. All other individuals, even U.S.* and Canadian and those traveling from neighboring
Caribbean countries, must have a valid passport and return or on-going ticket.
| *The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. This includes United States citizens! In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future. For additional information, go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html. |
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Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
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Climate
Guadeloupe is very much a tropical country with about 70 inches of rainfall
annually across its nine islands. Temperatures here are slightly cooler than
some of the other Caribbean islands due to an Atlantic breeze. January temperatures range
from 67 to 84 degrees, and July temperatures from 74 to 88 degrees. The rainiest months of the year coincide with the warmest,
which are June
through October.
Geography
Guadeloupe is located about 200 miles north of Martinique and is a part of the Lesser Antilles. There
are two main islands separated by
a narrow sea channel called the Rivière Salée. The eastern island, Grande-Terre,
is made of limestone and is home to gentle hills and former sugar plantations.
This is a great place for bicycling. Basse-Terre to the west is home to rugged mountains and an active 4,800 foot
high volcano called La Soufrière. This is a great place for hiking. The mountains, which are encircled by white
sand Caribbean beaches, are spotted with banana plantations and covered in
tropical foliage.
Health and Safety
I would suggest you stick to bottled water while on the island. Although you can
drink the water, it might be best to keep your stomach accustomed to water that
is more like you are used to at home. There are five modern hospitals and 23 clinics
in the country and a 24-hour
emergency room is available at Le Centre Hôpitalier Universitaire de Pointe-à-Pitre.
The islands are free of most major or serious crime. However, as the streets get deserted very quickly at night, you will want to be sure to use common sense when going out after dark. In most cases, following common safety rules will prevent you having any problems. Ladies should keep a firm grasp on their handbags, as purse snatching by speeding motorcyclists has been reported on occasion.
Currency
As Guadeloupe is a territory of France, Guadeloupe uses the Eureo.
Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious!
Electricity
Guadeloupe uses the 220-volt electrical system. Therefore, you will need to bring adapters
and converters if you need them.
Getting To and Around Guadeloupe
Most visitors to Guadeloupe arrive in Les Abymes (near Pointe-à-Pitre) at La Raizet Airport. As there are no direct flights from the North American mainland, visitors from there will need to connect through regional Caribbean air carriers in San Juan (Puerto Rico), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), St. Johns (Antigua and Barbuda), or Port-au-Prince (Haiti).
Taxis are available at the airport, and can provide transportation to your final island destination. Taxis are government regulated, but this sometimes means little as the meter is frequently “broken.” It is best to to agree on a fare and currency before taking a ride. Service across the island may cost as much as $40(USD), but keep in mind that the local currency is the Euro.
For Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises, Vacations, Tours and Travel Deals, Click on Global Travel International. If the link does not work properly, type www.gettingaway.globaltravel.com in the address line of your browser.
To find hotels listed by city in Grenada, click on Hotels and other accommodations in Guadeloupe.
Visit Getting Away Accommodations, world-wide reservations available on line. And, if you are looking for a nice resort, check the Getting Away Resort Accommodations page or ResortDiscounts.com where you can find discounts at some of the world's most desirable resort locations.
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Things To See And Do In Guadeloupe
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Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should
add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Dining in Guadeloupe
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should
add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Favorite Places And Things To Do In
Guadeloupe
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should
add to this section of Getting Away, please send it to me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
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2007 Travel Alert - Passports Needed for Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and Caribbean. Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport. As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. Click here for the State Department Summary. And, if you need a passport in a hurry, because you forgot to apply months ago when you should have and your trip is almost upon you, click on Passports In A Hurry, or on Passport Visa Express!
