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- Destinations
- Caribbean
- Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe
The islands of Guadeloupe are radiant gems of the Caribbean,
offering those who travel here a unique combination of Creole
culture, incredible beaches, and simply fantastic French food.
Guadeloupe is shaped rather like a butterfly, with Basse-Terre
and Grand Terre as each of its wings. Better developed Grand Terre
has exceptional beach towns and plenty nightlife along its
shores.
First discovered by Columbus in 1493, the islands were known to
the local Caribs as
karukera- 'the island of beautiful waters'.
French settlers arrived in the 17th century bringing with them
disease, which wiped out the indigenous Caribs, and slaves to work
the sugar plantations that were to be source of the islands' wealth
for the next 200 years. In the 20th century Guadeloupe become an
overseas
departmentof France, enjoying its protection and
economic support.
Guadeloupe is less known than Antigua, its neighbour to the
north, so it enjoys a somewhat laid-back atmosphere and less
developed infrastructure by comparison. It is however very modern
with mostly high-end tourist facilities, and excellent health
care.
The beaches are quite magnificent and remain the main drawcard
for the steady stream of mostly French tourists. However, unusually
for a Caribbean island, there is a wealth of attractions inland
too. Tropical forests abound, especially around the base of Mt
Soufriere, a dormant volcano. You can also find the Caribbean's
highest waterfall on Basse-Terre. The diving is excellent, rated by
Jacques Cousteau as one of the top 10 diving spots in the
world.
Getting around the islands is a breeze, with a decent public bus
network and plenty of bicycle rental spots presenting better
options than the rather expensive taxis.
Information & Facts
Customs
Guadeloupean society is famously welcoming and friendly, with a
high emphasis placed on convivial social interactions between men
and women. Social mores and etiquette in Guadeloupe reflect its
colonial history (indeed, it is still subject to French Law);
however, gender roles are perhaps more traditional than in European
societies, with the bywords 'reputation' (for men) and 'respect'
(for women) often being invoked.
Duty Free
Visitors to Guadeloupe over the age of 17 may import up to 200
cigarettes/50 cigars/100cigarillos/250g of tobacco, and one litre
of spirits/two litres of wine/two litres of alcoholic beverages up
to 22%. Plants and vegetables are prohibited.
Passport Visa
All foreign passengers to Guadeloupe must hold a return or
onward ticket, and the necessary travel documentation for their
next destination. Note that a yellow fever vaccination certificate
is required to enter Guadeloupe, if arriving in the country within
six days of leaving or transiting through an infected area. NOTE:
It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months
validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your
travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different
rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.