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Visitor Information
Language
The official language is French. Most people speak creole.
In big tourist centers and at the northern islands (Saint-Martin, Saint-Bartholomew), they also speak English.
Getting Around
Guadeloupe Pole Caraïbes Airport is 6km (4mi) north of Pointe-à-Pitre. There are car rental agencies
and a taxi stand at the airport. An airport bus runs about twice an hour to Pointe-à-Pitre on weekdays.
Guadeloupe has a good public bus system that operates from early morning to early evening, with fairly frequent
service on main routes. On Sunday, service is much lighter and there are no buses on most secondary routes. Taxis
are plentiful but expensive. There are taxi stands at the airport, in Pointe-à-Pitre and in Basse-Terre.
Larger hotels commonly have taxis assigned to them and the drivers wait in the lobby.
Renting a car is a good way to get around Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre. Several agencies have offices at the airport
and in major resort areas. Drive on the right; your home driver's license is valid. Renting a motorcycle can be
fun on Terre-de-Haut and Marie-Galante, since there are few autos on the road. If you want to travel at a slower
pace on Marie-Galante or La Désirade, try renting a scooter or a bicycle. There are buses on Marie-Galante
every day but Sunday.
Getting between Guadeloupe and its associated islands is easiest by ferry. There's service between Pointe-à-Pitre
and Les Saintes, Saint-François, Trois-Rivières and Marie-Galante. There are also ferry routes between
Saint-François and Marie-Galante and La Désirade. Flying between the islands is faster but not necessarily
more convenient. Air Guadeloupe has daily flights between Pointe-à-Pitre and Marie-Galante, La Désirade
and Terre-de-Haut.
The best time to visit is November-May, when day temperatures are in the 70s-80s F/23-32 C and nights are in the
60s-70s F/15-27 C. June-October is hurricane season, but except in the rare instance when a hurricane does occur,
the weather in June and July can be dry and delightful. The rainy season, September-November, is called hivernage.
Guadeloupe is more cloudy and rainy than most Caribbean islands at that time, and the humidity is unbelievably
high.
Health risks
Guadeloupe is a French Department, therefore the health care system is excellent. Unlike most tropical regions,
there are almost no communicable diseases or those transmitted by parasites. There are no poisonous or dangerous
animals, except as noted below.
Some good advices:
- Sun screen with a high SPF is highly recommended. The region is
located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator !
- Don't stay under the Manchineel tree (similar to an apple tree).
It has caustic and mildly poisonous sap. Don't touch the leaves or eat the fruits. The juices burn the skin. The
main island of the Guadeloupe archipelago is cleared of most of these trees, but there are still plenty of them
on the Saintes and on Saint-Barth - very often marked with warning signs.
- Some fish, especially around the northern islands eat poisoned
seaweed which can lead to severe food poisoning in humans. Therefore, if you catch a fish, show it to a native
(or a cat).
- The black sea-urchin with its very long and dangerous spines is
poisonous. However, you can eat the white sea-urchin.
- Swimming in some rivers is dangerous because of Bilharziosis (a
parasitic disease). Normally there are warning signs.
- Beware of the Scolopendra (millepede with a shell). Its sting
is similar to that of a scorpion.
- Be aware of stray dogs at the beaches, because they can transmit
worms. Wear your sandals to the beach and use a mat.
- Some mosquitos transmit the Dengue virus, similar to a severe
flu; use mosquito repellent and sleep under mosquito nets or in rooms with air conditioning.
- Last but not least, practice safe sex. Be aware that sexually
transmitted diseases, (primarily Aids) are more common in Guadeloupe than in any other French Department.
Money
The currency is the Euro. Most banks and bank machines accept most international credit cards. Credit cards are
welcomed almost everywhere, the best known is Visa. Traveller Cheques are widely accepted. Bring some cash for
small expenses !
Clothes
Light and casual clothes are suitable days and evenings, suits and ties are not necessary. For those attending
mass at church, smart casual attire is necessary. Don't wear swim suits in the city; it is considered bad manners.
Don't forget rain protection, sweaters and waterproof hiking shoes for hiking trips in the rain forest.
Drinking water
You can drink tapwater, don't drink water of rivers and small streams (Bilharziose). There are local and imported
bottled waters (Matouba, Capes, Didier).
Electricity
Voltage is 220, 50 Hz, European standard wall plugs. Transformers and adaptors are necessary for American appliancies.
Telephones
- The country code for Guadeloupe is 590.
- Calls from Overseas: internal code + country code 590 followed by the 9 digits of the telephone number (++590-5
90 21 04 32 (fixed set) or ++590-6 90 41 09 23 (mobile phone)).
- Within the department of Guadeloupe (including the main island Guadeloupe, the Saintes, Marie-Galante, Désirade,
Saint-Martin, Saint-Bartholomew), from France or another French Overseas Department, only the 10 digit phone number
is necessary (05 90 21 04 32 (fixed set) or 06 90 41 09 23 (mobile phone)).
- Oversea calls: international dial code 00.
Calling cards or credit cards are needed for most of the local phone booths, only a few accept coins. You can get
calling cards at the post offices.
Pets
Valid health pass necessary. There is no rabies on the island. Caution: only a few lodgings accept pets. You should
consult a veterinarian to obtain a special preventive deworming treatment for dogs !
Time
Local time on Guadeloupe is GMT - 4 year-round.
That is: a time difference of 5 hours in winter and 6 hours in summer with central Europe.
Time difference with the US Eastcoast: 1 hour during winter time (no time difference in summer).
Sunrise between 5.00 and 6.00 am, sunset between 6.00 and 6.30 pm.
Tipping
Service and tax are included in the prices, but tips are always welcome.
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