Here's what to see in Guadalupe, in the Caribbean Sea, between beaches, rainforests, a splendid coral reef and small islands.
In the splendid setting of the Caribbean Sea, on the Atlantic Ocean, you can see the islands of Guadeloupe, a region of the Lesser Antilles belonging from an administrative point of view to the French Overseas Territories. The largest island, which also takes the name of Guadalupe, is divided into two parts, Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, separated from each other by a lagoon, the so-called Riviere Salee; due to their particular shape, Guadalupe is known as "butterfly island". The Overseas Region then includes Marie-Galante; La Désirade and other smaller islands.
To reach Guadeloupe – or Guadalupe, in French Guadeloupe – there are daily flights departing from Paris, from Paris Orly and Roissy Charles de Gaulle direct toairport Guadeloupe International Airport Pôle Caraïbes, located near Pointe-à-Pitre. The five islands are all served by sea or air connections but to fully discover their beauty the most practical means is certainly the car: in fact, there is a dense network of roads that allows you to reach all the main tourist sites. Alternatively, you can take taxis, which offer city tours and half-day trips, or buses, the perfect means of immersion among the people of the islands of Guadeloupe.
What to see in Guadalupe? Establishing which place in the archipelago deserves our interest the most is not easy also because there are so many things to see for a holiday dedicated to nature, tradition, beauty: beaches, rainforests, a still active volcano, the barrier Reef, two nature reserves and the small islands that make the archipelago a destination with a thousand shades and colors. We offer you a short tour of the five islands of Guadalupe: Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, Iles de Saintes and Désirade.
We start from the western part of the main island visiting Basse-Terre. Beaches, waterfalls and lush vegetation make this island a small paradise, much appreciated by travelers and hiking and trekking enthusiasts. The island is home to the majestic La Soufrière volcano in the heart of the rainforest which, together with the marine landscapes of the area, was declared Parc national de la Guadeloupe in 1989, and the Carbet waterfalls, the highest of the Lesser Antilles.
Along the channel that separates the two largest islands is the Grand Cul-de-sac Marin nature reserve. A rainforest with small islands and a coral reef more than 20 kilometers long. Here it is possible to book various boat trips to reach the coves within the reserve, go on excursions by car along the Route de la Traversée or walk along the paths of the tropical jungle. Fans of diving, instead, they will be able to enjoy the wonderful crystal clear waters in the company of sea turtles or go and discover dolphins and whales.
In the eastern part of the island, however, there is the Grande Terre, also nicknamed the "little Brittany of the Antilles", a large territory characterized by sugar cane cultivations, paradisiacal beaches and exceptional landscapes. This “portion” of the main island of Guadalupe also offers visitors a wide choice of attractions, including the natural sites of Pointe-des-Châteaux, the surprising landscapes and cliffs of Grande Vigie, while in the economic capital of the country, Pointe -à-Pitre, you will find period monuments, museums and picturesque spice and flower markets.
Grande-Terre is the busiest and most visited especially for the wide range of attractions that line the golden beaches of Le Gosier, one of the major tourist centers on the main island of Guadalupe where hotels and night clubs are concentrated, of Sainte Anne, a village renowned for its beautiful beaches, its restaurants typical restaurants and the colorful market, and of Saint François, the most important center in the region, with luxury hotels and a tourist port.
Southeast of Guadeloupe is located Marie-Galante, or "the island of a hundred mills", which fascinates with its beaches and landscapes. Very famous for the immense sugar cane plantations and for the three distilleries of Poisson, Grand-Bourg, Capesterre which produce an excellent white rum. To fully appreciate the atmosphere and beaches of this small islet, a single day is enough. Start your itinerary from Grand Bourg, the lively capital of the island, and then head towards Saint Louis, a small village and landing point for yachts and boats; then stop at the beautiful beaches of Vieux Fort and Anse Canot, and appreciate the spectacular views of Caya Plate, finishing with Capesterre, the largest tourist center on the island.
The little island of Desirade, solitary and deserted, it is instead one of the most intact and uncontaminated in Guadalupe. The undisputed kingdom of iguanas, it is known to tourists for its beaches and its high cliffs overlooking the sea. Reachable by sea or by plane, thanks to its length of approximately 11 kilometers it can be explored on foot, by bicycle or by scooter. The main attractions of the island are certainly the small fishing village of Beauséjour, the Petite-Riviere nature reserve, a small coral archipelago, an ideal destination for diving and sailing excursions, the ruins of the former leper colony and the ancient cotton mill.
We conclude the itinerary between the Les Saintes islands - îles des Saintes in French or Lésent in Creole - one of the most scenic destinations in Guadeloupe. Consisting of the two main islands Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas and nine other islets, the small archipelago is known for the beautiful bay of Anse du Bourg. In Terre-de-Haut you can visit the beaches of Pain de Sucre and Pompierre. Don't miss the Forte Napoleon, which houses a museum and a wonderful exotic garden, and the small village of Terre de Haut, full of restaurants and shops, with a beautiful volcanic stone church. In Terre-de-Bas, however, the wonderful Grande-Anse beach, appreciated for its wild beauty, and Petites Anses, the administrative center of the island, with its stone houses and the small church dedicated to Saint Nicholas.
