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Guadeloupe

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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.

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.

Accommodations In Guadeloupe

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.

Ste Anne

The Club Med Caravelle Guadeloupe, on Grande-Terre island, in the French West Indies. This all-inclusive resort is perfect for family vacations. It is the best destination for Caribbean beach vacations. One of the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches with white sand and emerald sea. A 1800 foot long public beach with fine sand. Sea is calm and easily accessible. This beach is fitted with showers, loungers, parasols and a beach bar. Gardens consisting essentially of coconut trees and palm trees and olive trees without forgetting a botanical garden. Water features adorn this landscape. Located on Grande Terre, along one of the Caribbean's most beautiful golden sandy beaches, the resort includes several buildings. "Les Saintes", set of one-level bungalows, in a more isolated location, close to the specialty restaurant and the beach. "Marie Galante", a two-storey building, with no elevator and "Basse Terre" and "Grande Terre" buildings. In "Basse Terre" rooms are on five floors with an elevator. The 4th and 5th floors have an ocean view. The first two floors offer a lush tropical garden view. In "Grande Terre" rooms are on two floors, with a garden or ocean view (no elevator or balcony). Enjoy a Club Room located on the first, second or third floors of the "Grande Terre" building, with a view of the gardens, or located in the "Basse-Terre" building or in the "Désirade" building. Or chose a spacious and elegant Suite where you will be able to savior top of the range comfort. Located in the Marie Galante and Grande Terre buildings. Or consider the advantages of the Sea View Suite. For additional information, or to make a reservation, click on Club Med Information and Reservations

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

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

Bahamas Links

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!