Guadeloupe

Caribbean tips you can trust

Why
Guadeloupe
is special

Guadeloupe is known for its French heritage and butterfly-shape island (see map below).

Guadeloupe
tips & insights

Mispronunciation

I've heard travelers speak the Guadeloupe name with sort of a Spanish pronunciation. They add an extra syllable: gwa-dah-lou'-peh. The three-syllable French way is correct: gwohd'-ell-oop.

Major tourism activities

They include:

Resorting

Most of the resorts are on the southern coast of Grand Terre island.

Diving

Guadeloupe diving was praised by Jacques Cousteau. The best dive spots are on Basse-Terre island.

Hiking

Basse-Terre has many interesting trails in the rainforest-covered mountains. There are waterfalls and wildlife to see. One trail takes you up to the top of La Soufriere volcano.

Nightlife and dining

Nightlife is active but not jumping. Dining ranges from ordinary to fine. Both activities are centered in the bustling capital Pointe-a-Pitre and in the resort areas east of that city.

The Guadeloupe butterfly

Guadeloupe's two main islands - Basse Terre and Grande Terre - sit side by side, separated only by a long, narrow channel. A drawbridge links them. When viewed from the air, the two islands together create the unmistakable shape of an open-winged butterfly.