Guadeloupe has a land area of 1,628 square kilometers (629 sq. mi). It is an overseas department of France. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe is also one of the twenty-six regions of France (being an overseas region) and an integral part of the Republic. As part of France, Guadeloupe is part of the European Union; hence, as for most EU countries, its currency is the euro. However, Guadeloupe does not fall under the Schengen Agreement. The capital of Guadeloupe is Basse-Terre.

Guadeloupe was among the islands charted by Columbus in 1493. French colonies were established in 1635. The British made brief attempts to occupy the islands during the 18th and 19th centuries, but they have always remained under French control and, in 1946, the islands were given the status of Overseas Departments. Following President Mitterrand’s decentralization policy in the 1980s, Guadeloupe became an administrative region in its own right and is represented in the French National Assembly by four Deputies. As might be deemed more typical of the Caribbean, Guadeloupe boasts plenty of restaurants, bars and discos, with displays of local dancing and music. The famous dance of the island is called the Biguine, where colorful and ornate Creole costumes are still worn. Biguine is a form of clarinet and trombone music with nasal vocals and improvised instrumental solos, and roots in West African dance. It has long since evolved into embracing more wide-reaching genres such as jazz and pop. If you do not feel your toes tapping, then rest assured that one or two of Guadeloupe's renowned rum punch cocktails (a brew of rum, lime, bitter and syrup) will almost certainly get you up and dancing beneath the stars.

Yet Guadeloupe is a fantastic destination because there is also extreme quietude available, from St Barthélemy to the outlying islands of Marie-Galante, La Désirade and Les Saintes, undeveloped and attractive, with old and crumbling mills frequent reminders of Guadeloupe's historical connections as a major sugar plantation. Sometimes all you need is some twinkling clear waters to snorkel or dive in, exploring colorful flora and fauna, in what the famous diver Jacques Cousteau considered amongst the top 10 dive sites in the world.

Geography

Guadeloupe comprises Guadeloupe proper (Basse-Terre), Grande-Terre (separated from Basse-Terre by a narrow sea channel) and five smaller islands. Basse-Terre has a rough volcanic relief whilst Grande Terre features rolling hills and flat plains. All the islands have beautiful white- or black-sand palm-fringed beaches. There are also many lush mountainous areas with stunning and unspoiled tropical scenery.

Visa formalities for Guadeloupe:

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond applicant's last day of stay required by all nationals referred to U.K, Austrian, Canadian, U.S.A, and Other EU except the following:

NOTE: Nationals of EU who are holders of national identity cards.

Visas
Not required by all nationals of countries referred to U.K, Austrian, Canadian, U.S.A, and Other EU for stays of up to three months except in the following cases:
(a) Nationals of Canada, the USA and some EU countries do not usually need a visa, but under some circumstances, such as if they are to receive a salary even if their trip is a short stay, they may need a visa. Such circumstances are decided individually. For further information, please write to: Consulate General de France, Service des Visas, 6A Cromwell Place, PO Box 57, London SW7 2EW, UK, enclosing a self-addressed stamped envelope for the reply, a photocopy of the main pages of your passport and stating your exact destination and the length and purpose of your stay;
(b) US nationals need a visa if they are crew members, or journalists on assignments, or students enrolled at schools and universities in any of the French Overseas Departments.

Note: Nationals of the EU do not need a long-stay visa (trips exceeding three months).

Note: Nationals not referred in visa requirement line are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).

Warning
Most visits to Guadeloupe are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Although the risk from crime is also low, it does exist and travelers should take normal common-sense precautions.

The hurricane season in Guadeloupe normally runs from June to November.

Attractions in Guadeloupe:

Grande-Terre

Pointe-à-Pitre, the commercial capital of Guadeloupe, is situated on the island of Grande-Terre. This gracious town has a pleasant square at its core, the Place de la Victoire, which is surrounded by a busy market and, further out, the docks. It is an active, lively port with many narrow streets to explore. The Pavillion d’Exposition de Bergevin and the Center Cultural Rémy Nainsouta are two interesting museums in the town. At Fort Fleur d’Épée, there are some fascinating underground caves and to the north of these is the old sugar town of Sainte-Anne.

Basse-Terre

Highlights include Sainte-Marie de Capesterre and the Hindu temple to its south, where it may be possible to see religious ceremonies taking place. The small town of Trois Rivières has a collection of interesting Indian relics which could easily be visited on the way to the National Park of Guadeloupe near St-Claude. This 74,000-acre park, of great natural beauty, is situated at the base of La Soufrière, a dormant volcano. In the rainforests there are some good walking and picnic areas which make a pleasant alternative to lying on the islands’ fine beaches. The town of Basse-Terre itself is a beautiful old French colonial town, situated at the foot of La Soufrière. The St-Charles Fort is of French military architecture, built in 1605 and now restored and converted into a museum. The cathedral and market place are also worth seeing.

Outlying Islands

The other islands of Marie-Galante, La Désirade and Les Saintes are visited less frequently and are best suited to the resourceful traveller. La Désirade, quiet and undeveloped, is known for its seafood. Les Saintes are a string of tiny islands, only two of which are inhabited, Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas. These are both very attractive and have a selection of modestly priced hotels. Marie-Galante has a number of good hotels and beaches. Its old and crumbling mills are reminders of its history as a major sugar plantation.

Water Sports

Guadeloupe’s beaches are good for swimming, and the sand varies depending on the area: Grande-Terre has white sand, and the sand on the leeward coast is brown, while black-sand beaches can be found on the western end of Basse-Terre. Nude and topless sunbathing is restricted to just a few beaches. Snorkeling and diving can be practiced widely, and there are several commercial operators offering equipment hire, courses and diving trips. Snorkellers can usually access coral reefs directly from the beaches. Divers should note that harpoons and artificial lights are strictly prohibited. Glass-bottomed boats operate at several marine nature reserves on Petite-Terre and Basse-Terre. Marine species such as lobsters and sea turtles are protected, and visitors should familiarize themselves with Guadeloupe’s conservation policies upon arrival. There are good facilities (such as boat charters and equipment hire) for fishing, including deep-sea fishing. In maritime reserves fishing is either forbidden or strongly regulated; visitors should enquire locally. Small-boat sailing and water-skiing are both popular. Guadeloupe hosts a number of regional and international sailing competitions and there are sailing schools throughout the islands. Pleasure sailing boats do not require a license.

Walking

The National Park of Guadeloupe provides around 300km (188 miles) of marked trails leading into the rainforest, where visitors can observe many tropical animals and plants. The scenery on these walks often includes waterfalls (such as the Cascade aux Ecrevisses) or lakes (such as the Grand Etang). On Grande-Terre, hiking trails lead through the mangrove or along the cliffs of the Atlantic coast. For further information, contact the Office du Tourisme.

Other

Horse riding and mountain climbing are also possible. There is a well-known 18-hole golf course, the Sainte-Françoise, designed by Robert Trent Jones.

Climate of Guadeloupe:

The most common misconception about the West Indies is that it must be much hotter in summer than it is during the rest of the year. In fact, the average monthly temperatures remain remarkably stable, varying by only about 5º Fahrenheit year-round. This stability can be attributed to the tradewinds (Les Alizés) which bring refreshing breezes from the northeast throughout the year. Summer is actually a great time to visit the islands because lodging rates are much lower and the beaches, roads and restaurants are not crowded. Of course, winter and the Christmas/New Year holidays are traditionally the most popular time to go. Most holiday reservations are made months in advance. December through May is considered the dry season, while June through November is considered the more humid season. However, in our experience, rain showers or clear skies can occur at any time during the year. In general, rainstorms pass quickly and the sun shines on most days. Average air temperatures in coastal areas range from 22º to 30º C (72º to 86º F) and in inland areas, from 19º to 27º C (66º to 81º F). Naturally, travelers will find more rain and cooler temperatures in the rain forests and higher elevations. The warm coastal water temperatures stay between 20º and 23º C (68º and 74º F).