Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe, a butterfly-shaped archipelago, offers dream beaches, tropical gardens and authentic villages. Hostel Toucan supports travellers and owners alike for relaxed stays and rentals.
At a glance
- Area
- 1,628 km² (archipelago)
- Capital
- Basse-Terre (prefecture); Pointe-à-Pitre (economic hub)
- Population
- ~380,000 inhabitants
- Status
- French overseas department and region (DROM)
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Language
- French + Guadeloupean Creole
- Time difference
- -5 h in winter / -6 h in summer vs Paris
- Dialing code
- +590
Practical info
Formalities
A French ID card is enough. No passport or visa for the EU.
Health
No mandatory vaccine. Dengue is present: repellent advised. Drinkable tap water along the coast.
Money & electricity
Euro, cards accepted everywhere on both wings; bring cash for the smaller islands. Plugs 230 V type E.
Connection
Good coverage on Grande-Terre and along the coast of Basse-Terre, more unpredictable in the national park.
When to go?
Guadeloupe follows the rhythm of two seasons:
- Dry season (December to April) — the best period: sun, calm sea, ideal for the beaches and the islands. High season, book in advance.
- Hivernage (June to November) — hot, humid, tropical showers and a hurricane risk (August-September). Spectacular nature and gentler prices.
Stable climate: 25 to 31 °C, sea at 27 °C all year round.
Getting there & around
Getting there
Pôle Caraïbes airport (Pointe-à-Pitre), direct flights from Paris (≈ 8 h 30) with Air France, Air Caraïbes, French Bee, Corsair. Sea and air connections to the southern islands. Expect 400 to 800 € for a round trip.
Getting around
A car is essential to link the two wings (the Gabarre bridge spans the Rivière Salée). For Les Saintes and Marie-Galante, ferries depart from Pointe-à-Pitre, Trois-Rivières or Saint-François.
💡 Hostel Toucan's tip : Book car + accommodation together through our rental from 35 €/day — the freedom to move from one wing to the other within the day.
Book a car →Top things to do
La Soufrière & the Carbet falls
Climb the active volcano (1,467 m, "the old lady") in the national park, then bathe at the foot of the Carbet falls, among the highest in the Lesser Antilles.
The Cousteau reserve (Malendure)
The N°1 diving and snorkeling spot in the West Indies, around the Pigeon islets, designated by Commander Cousteau himself.
Les Saintes (Terre-de-Haut)
Voted among the most beautiful bays in the world. Colorful alleys, Fort Napoléon, Pompierre beach and the famous "tourment d'amour" pastry.
Marie-Galante
The island of a hundred windmills: deserted beaches, agricultural rum distilleries (Bielle, Bellevue, Père Labat) and a laid-back pace.
The beaches of Grande-Terre
Grande Anse in Deshaies, La Caravelle in Sainte-Anne, and the Pointe des Châteaux, a wild cape battered by the Atlantic.
Pointe-à-Pitre & the spice market
The Mémorial ACTe (history of slavery and the slave trade, a must) and the Saint-Antoine market for colombo, vanilla and rhum arrangé.
Where to stay: towns to know
| Town | For whom? | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Sainte-Anne | First time, families | Turquoise beaches, market, activity |
| Saint-François | Couples, golf, departure for the islands | Marina, beaches, gastronomy |
| Le Gosier | Nightlife, close to the city | Lively seaside, near Pointe-à-Pitre |
| Deshaies | Nature & quiet | Grande Anse, botanical garden, Basse-Terre |
| Bouillante | Diving | Cousteau reserve, hot springs |
Guadeloupe FAQ
Do I need a passport?
No, a French ID card is enough.
Grande-Terre or Basse-Terre?
Grande-Terre for the beaches and the seaside life, Basse-Terre for nature and hiking — the ideal is to combine both.
What is the best season?
The dry season, from December to April.
What budget?
Flight 400–800 €, car from 35 €/day, accommodation from 70 €/night. Expect 90–130 €/day/person excluding the flight.
Our accommodations in Guadeloupe
See all →Reading about Guadeloupe
See all →
Settling in Cars in Guadeloupe: should you buy or rent?
Buy or rent a car when you arrive in Guadeloupe? Indicative costs, paperwork, used vs new, shipping from mainland France: the practical guide to choosing well.
Settling in Long-term rental without a guarantor in Guadeloupe
Renting long term in Guadeloupe without a guarantor: available schemes, alternative guarantees, a strong application file and temporary accommodation to settle in overseas with confidence.
Settling in Transferred to Guadeloupe CHU: finding housing
Posted to the Guadeloupe teaching hospital? A practical housing guide: the best towns near Pointe-à-Pitre, budget benchmarks, temporary accommodation and relocation steps.
Business stays Long-term business stay: sliding-scale rate
Long-term business stay in Guadeloupe: sliding-scale rate, invoice in the company's name, compliant expense report, payment by bank transfer and VAT. Para-hotel guide.
Settling in Enrolling Your Children in School in Guadeloupe: The Complete Guide
Enrolling your children in school in Guadeloupe after a job transfer: paperwork, education authority, towns, school transport and practical tips to prepare your arrival.
Settling in Moving to Guadeloupe: Healthcare and Everyday Life Guide
Relocating to Guadeloupe: healthcare, housing, paperwork, banking and transport. The step-by-step practical guide for newcomers arriving from mainland France.
Settling in Moving to Guadeloupe: Where to Live
Relocating to Guadeloupe for work or a fresh start: where to live town by town, indicative budgets, practical steps and tips to nail your first few months.
Business stays Corporate Group Booking
Corporate group booking in Guadeloupe: invoice in the company's name, compliant expense report, payment by bank transfer, VAT and long stays under the para-hotel regime.
Settling in Your First Weekends: Discovering Guadeloupe
Just moved to Guadeloupe for work or a fresh start? A practical guide to planning your first weekends, finding a place to stay and exploring the island stress-free.
Trust
They trusted us
Companies and institutions that book their stays in French Guiana, Martinique and Guadeloupe with Hostel Toucan.
