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.

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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