Caribbean Travel: Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an amazing cocktail of swanky infrastructure, mouth watering food, rich culture, and of course, stunning natural beauty. No wonders, the place enjoys an enviable status in terms of the contribution to the tourism industry of the Caribbean region. Guadeloupe is a geographical wonder in its own tights, with two butterfly wing shaped land masses connected through a mangrove swamp constituting the island. The Grande-Terre forms what is known as the eastern wing of the island, and Basse-Terre makes up the western half. Grande-Terre hosts a whole group of beach towns that attract tourists from all parts of the world. On the other hand, the western wing of Guadeloupe finds more favors with those seeking more than the odd rush of adrenalin and denture on their tours.
Life progresses at its own pace at Grande-Terre, and you can take your time bathing in the beaches and drinking in the adjoining bars. To enjoy the pleasure of sheer nothingness, head straight to La Désirad that is nearly 10 km off Grande-Terre. The island hardly gets visited by any considerable number of tourists, and hence serves the perfect place to be in for a date with silence. Imagine having a whole beach to yourself and your beloved! Experiences as fulfilling and unique as these await you at La Désirad. Carry your snorkelling stuff along to La Désirad and treat yourself to inimitably exciting adventure.
The mention of adventure naturally brings to the fore the island of Basse-Terre, which also doubles up as the capital of Guadeloupe. After entering from Pointe-à-Pitre, you can pick from tree alternatives: going north, south or inwards. You are bound to come across a lot of wildlife, lots of sandy beaches with armies of divers and lots of other tourists, irrespective of the route you choose. The Jacques Cousteau underwater reserve offers more than a mellow dose of adventure, whereas the southern archipelagos of Guadeloupe offer an opportunity of soaking in the authentic Guadeloupe vibes for visitors. Ultimately, Guadeloupe is all about enjoying the unique tastes, textures, sights and sounds of the little islands that make it up. For instance, the chill and seclusion of La Désirade is as unique as the rural personality of Marie-Galante. The sprawling fields all over Marie-Galante open you up and bring you closer to pure nature. This, however, does not mean that visitors miss the contemporary flavors of tourism in Guadeloupe. The market places resemble a toned down version of Paris rather than any rural setting, and the same gets reflected in the menus of the restaurants and the French bakeries you come across in the towns of Guadeloupe. It is wonderful to note as to how the serenity of the outer parts of the towns of Guadeloupe gives way to the business of a bustling city in the interiors. Undoubtedly, Guadeloupe is a collection of everything good about France, and there definitely is loads of it.
Hotels in Guadeloupe
If you are not one to compromise even a single moment of your vacation, the resorts and grand hotels of Guadeloupe are all ready to greet you. There are so many wonderful hotels and resorts here that it will serve you well to define your needs and price bracket before you set out on your vacation so that you can get into the best possible combination of services and amenities. From small houses to sprawling buildings, there are all kinds of hotels and resorts in Guadeloupe. Beach wonderlands and secluded villas, all inclusive resorts and value for money hotels, there is something for everyone in Guadeloupe. This article will enable you to have at least an overview of what awaits you and your family in Guadeloupe.
Living next to the beach all day long is like living a dream. And to have one’s dreams creamed with luxuries that only the best of the resorts in the Caribbean can tend to is to have the perfect vacation that one can’t ever forget. This is precisely what you get in the resorts and hotels of Guadeloupe, a fantastic and awe inspiringly beautiful part of the Caribbean. Let the French Caribbean’s unique vibes bowl you over and let the sandy beaches caress and pamper you as you come out of your beach-side paradise resort. Read this article for some valuable information about some of the special hotels and resorts in the major towns and cities of Guadeloupe.
Hotel MGallery Auberge De La Vieille Tour, Gosier
The “Vieille Tour” enjoys a healthy reputation in the area due to its popular bar and restaurant. However, it is hard not to take note of the comfortable living in the rooms of this great place in Gosier. For a dose of luxury and elegance in the Caribbean, this is a really cool place. Dinners are particularly entertaining at “Vieille Tour.” The awe inspiring sights and sounds of the surroundings also add their flavour to the overall package.
So you want to live right next to the beach, but still want to be able to sleep on a comfortable bed and taste the best food on pampering sofas, right? Hotel Fleur d’Epée has been made precisely for demanding travellers like you who do not leave any stone unturned in extracting the best out of their holidays. The hotel directly overlooks the beach and is a pretty lively place for most part of the year.
Hotel Domaine de l’Anse des Rochers, St François
Built in an environment of unbelievable beauty, Hotel Domaine de l’Anse des Rochers is a wonderful cocktail of relaxed luxurious living and world class service. The rooms are well equipped with several contemporary gadgets and other interesting equipment, especially the ones with kitchenette. The Domaine (25 acres) and its stunning coconut grove present a special treat to the eye and add another feather in the hotel’s hat.
La Cocoteraie is one of those hotels that redefine elegance. Allow yourself to be pampered with the most amazing facilities and services you can imagine at La Cocoteraie. There is a sense of sophistication about everything you get across in the hotel, and that does not in any way weight down upon you. The decor is fantastic, and so are the rooms. Head over to La Cocoteraie for a vacation of luxury and comfort like no other.
Le Jardin Malanga, Trois Rivières
Living in an old colonial house can be a special experience, and when you get the characteristically colonial feel with the modern facilities and amenities that make holidaying all the more amazing, you have a treat that will live with you forever. Le Jardin Malanga is one such accommodation facility. It is actually an old colonial house and is situated pretty close to an old extinct volcano. The surroundings of the place are pretty silent and tranquil, making it a preferred location for honeymooners.
Overlooking the Atlantic and situated in a fabulous vegetation cover is La Toubana, a fine retreat for those seeking relaxation in Sainte Anne. The service of the hotel staff is great, and the rooms are all in good shape as well. The ambiance of the hotel is worth a special mention as well. This place is ideally suited for newly wed couples and honeymooners.
Hotel Villa Aquarelles, St. Rose
For the perfect French holiday in the Caribbean, Hotel Villa Aquarelles gives you all you want and more. You get the perfect place to enjoy a family holiday with a good mix of luxuries in Hotel Villa Aquarelles. The times spent close to the swimming pool and in the well designed bedrooms of the hotel will be unforgettable memories for you and your family.
Caraibes Bonheur, Deshaies
Located on a hill, overlooking the overwhelming waters of the sea, in eye-shot of the Kawan Island, and mesmerizingly quiet is Caraibes Bonheur, your dreamland in Deshaies. The ride along the lonely road that leads to the resort is an experience in itself. This charming hotel is perfect for privacy seekers and couples on honeymoon. Head over to Caraibes Bonheur for a stay close to the lap of nature.
Hotels Fleur des Îles, Deshaies
Living next to one of the most spectacular beaches in Guadeloupe does not always have to come with a burning pain in your pocket, as is established by Hotels Fleur des Îles, a special accommodation facility close to Grande Anse. This is a residence formed of family bungalows and attracts several families all through the year. The vegetation around the hotel is a truly wonderful addition to the intangible benefits of staying here.
Les Palmes, Gosier
One of the newer hotels to have come up in Gosier, Las Palmes is an inviting option for those looking for comfortable living at reasonable cost. The rooms and the service will satisfy you easily, and you won’t have any hassles in your stay at the hotel. The restaurant is pretty good too and definitely worth a little evening session.
Guadeloupe Nightlife
Guadeloupe has rapidly raised itself on the tourism popularity charts in the past decade or so, and the result has been the emergence of a thriving tourism sector in the region. Apart from the several luxurious resorts and hotels that have burst upon the scene in the recent past, there is also a descent number of bars and night clubs in the major towns and cities of Guadeloupe to keep the nocturnal animals interested. From the stand alone night spots to those associated with the resorts we talked about, there isn’t any dearth when it comes to heading off late in the evening for some after dark adventures in the bustling Guadeloupe. After dinner dancing is a great pleasure, especially when it helps you burn away the calories you pick at the dinner table. Here is an introduction to some of the more well known and popular night spots and bars you can get into in Guadeloupe.
The Hemingway Restaurant and Lounge
The Hemingway Restaurant and Lounge is a great crossover between a bustling bar and a crazy dance club. Friday nights are especially interesting at he Hemingway Restaurant and Lounge as jazz music takes over and sets the perfect environment for a late night entertainment session. Saturday is more suited for those whose ears are attuned to the tropical sounds. Sundays would find the interest of foodies and music lovers alike as the bar pulls together a good buffet with accompanying live music. Dancing is a pleasure here, and you would hardly need any incentives starting off.
Le Cheyenne
Le Cheyenne has a theme that will please Native Americans. Even the decoration and decor add to the Native American theme of the bar, and makes Le Cheyenne one of the more interesting places in Guadeloupe. You will find a techno club to entertain you late into the night on one side of the building and a superb restaurant on the other side. The restaurant is a wonderful option if you want to enjoy a dinner with Creole cuisine.
King Papyrus “Bateau Mouche”, Pointe-à-Pitre
This is easily among the more interesting experiences you can go for in Guadeloupe. The King Papyrus boat, “Bateau Mouche” takes its guests on an incredible journey into the lovely nights of Pointe-à-Pitre with sumptuous dinner and crazy cocktails sessions on board. The music and dancing on the boat is a stunning experience that you can never get off your mind and soul. Head off to this unforgettable journey on Saturday nights from 8.30 pm to 1 am.
Arawak Croisières, Gosier
The luxurious catamarans of Arawak Croisières are the perfect places to invest your night time in. Escape from the walls of your room and do something unforgettably different during your stay in Gosier. Discover the island as the sun starts on its journey into the waters of the sea. Surely, Arawak Croisières is one special way to make the best of your evenings and nights in Guadeloupe.
Le Touloulou, Marie-Galante
After dinner hours are well spent in dancing to the tunes of international dance hits, and this is exactly what you can do at Le Touloulou in Marie-Galante. Check the website for the events and programs they generally organize and watch out for the news of any special theme party. The DJs know their job here and ensure that you don’t have a dull moment in the club.
Guadeloupe Major Cities
Basse Terre
Basse Terre is a town that has one step firmly entrenched in the past and the other step in the present. It means that city is an interesting getaway for those who like a bit of history and architecture to their tourism adventures, and those who like to indulge in comfortable sight seeing without necessarily compromising on the amenities of modern towns and cities. The status of the City of arts and history, apart from the tag of the political capital of Guadeloupe helps Basse Terre in presenting an attractive option to travellers. The colonial houses around the Champ d’Arbaud plaza are definitely worth a look, and so is the Mont-Carmel quarter which also makes its name as one of the oldest monuments in town. The broadwalk of the city is another aspect that impresses visitors, and it also has improved the traffic condition here. The city is also home to quite a few good eateries and some big restaurants where you can have some memorable luncheons and dinners.
The festivities of the carnival season in Basse Terre are well documented across travel anecdotes and magazines. To be here in the festival season is like living a dream of sheer delight. The traffic is restricted and the parades follow one after the other as music and rhythm set the air on fire. Basse Terre’s carnival is regarded as one of the liveliest events in Guadeloupe all year long.
Pointe a Pitre
For a vacation in an atmosphere of unobstructed relaxation, Pointe a Pitre is a really worthwhile thought. The town is located centrally on the island. Pointe a Pitre is regarded as the liveliest getaway around Quai de la Darse. The sprawling marketplace lining the quay is in itself a special place, and worth a thorough visit. You get to see several colours of small town life in the marketplace. Apart from articles of daily use, one can also find enthusiastic shopkeepers hollering for customers and selling some pretty interesting souvenirs for you to carry back home. Most of the sight seeing is scattered around the quay. Go a couple of blocks west and visit the rather smart looking colonial house that houses Musée St-Jean Perse, devoted to the renowned Nobel laureate poet hailing from the island. The steel Cathédrale de St-Pierre-et-St-Paul lying couple of blocks to the quay’s north is also worth a visit.
Designed by Gustav Eiffel, this place will give you ample reasons to carry a fully charged camera along. For some more entertainment, head off to east of Pointe-à-Pitre and visit the Aquarium de la Guadeloupe, open from 9 in the morning to around seven in the evening. You get to see open turtle and shark aquariums here. If history interests you, take a look around at Fort Fleur-d’Épée, a 17th century Vauban style military station.
Guadeloupe-Attractions
Guadeloupe is an wholesome entertainer for all kinds of travellers and it owes a lot to the variety of natural resources and physical profile of the region. You could have the most stunning sights of the world in front of you one day, and an impromptu picnic lunch in a garden the next day! Naturalists have lots to explore here, and adventure seekers will find a bucket full of experiences to take back home. People especially like the hiking trails of Guadeloupe, and of course, the bike riding experiences through some of the most breathtaking terrains. There is an urban touch to Guadeloupe as well, and its bustling towns and cities are a living testimony to that. With this article, you get a quick peek at some of the better known and popular tourist attractions in Guadeloupe.
La Désirade
There is always something attractive about adventure, and this is the strongest force that magnetizes tourists towards La Désirade, a remote island in Guadeloupe. It is like living in a world happily cut off from the rest of the world in La Désirade. The beaches are long, the sands are white, and the vibes are simply overwhelming. La Désirade is an irresistible experience in Guadeloupe.
Plage de Petite-Anse, Marie Galante
How about a long and drawn out beach with golden sands all around, and sea grape trees to overlook the waters! If the thought of chilling in such a heavenly environment appeals to you, head over to Plage de Petite-Anse. Weekdays are pretty cool times to visit. However, you could consider putting off the visit to the weekend if you like a lot of activity and privacy is not on the priority list.
Ste-Anne, Grande Terre
This town is a world of relaxation in Guadeloupe, just east of Gosier. There is something unmistakeably simple and alluring about everything in this town, right from the ancient sugar plantation sites to the beaches. The cemetery of the town is also known among tourists for the white tombstones that lend a degree of enigma to the place.
Jardin Botanique de Deshaies, Deshaies
This is where you get a real French dose. The paintings are stunning to say the least, and warrant a visit from even the most demanding and hard to impress art critics. The snacks bar is the perfect addition, and comes with a powerful combination of snacks and breathtaking sights. The formal restaurant is also great, and so are the botanical gardens.
Jacques Cousteau Underwater Reserve
There is hardly a moment to be wasted if you are interested in underwater explorations. This is one paradise of a place for adventure seekers. Snorkelling, scuba diving and glass bottom boating are just a part of the vast menu of activities open for you here. Jacques Cousteau Underwater Reserve is worth all your time and attention.
Guadeloupe National Park, Basse-terre
The National Park of Guadeloupe on Basse-Terre allows you to lose yourself in a world as beautiful and as well embellished with natural beauty as the most beautiful dream you’d have ever envisaged. The pristine forms of nature here are enough to shake you from within and enable you to get in touch with the inner self. With that comes the opportunity of seeing some fascinating species of animals.
Guadeloupe Restaurants
Fine dining is an important part of any vacation, and Guadeloupe is no different. Visitors can never run out of options when it comes to eating out in Guadeloupe’s major towns and cities. From the street side small eateries to the lavish dining experiences of five star hotels and all the hybrid eating treats that fall in between the two ends of the rainbow, there is so much to eat and so many places to eat at in Guadeloupe that you will develop a taste for the flavours of the place pretty quickly.
Whereas nothing matches the charm of a pampering fine dining experience in a lavish setting, there is every scope for adventure in eating in Guadeloupe as you will find out when you get to the busy streets and the buzzing markets of this wonderful part of the Caribbean region. With this article, we intend to load you with preliminary information that shall enable you to get a taste of what all lies ahead of your plates in Guadeloupe.
Passion Creole, Deshaies
A nice collection of rums to test your taste buds, and a wide variety of snacks to pacify them in case the rum experiments go wrong, this is the way to go at Passion Creole. You will be impressed with the warm feel to the atmosphere of the place which makes eating here particularly captivating and pleasing.
La Savane, Deshaies
The shoreline location acts as the perfect complement to the relaxed atmosphere of this place. You get a generous helping of French and Creole cuisine at decent prices here. You won’t mind their rather perfectionist take on cooking, as the flavours of the dishes on offer here are absolutely mind boggling and worth waiting and paying for. This is a pretty cool spot for the demanding foodies.
Cafe Wango, Saint Francois
Head over to this place for a taste of some unique and uncommon flavours of Guadeloupe. Cafe Wango is definitely going to impress the adventurous food lover in you. The open terrace and the separated lounge area of the place make the atmosphere perfect for some fine dining. The views of the Marin Yacht Club add to the visual quotient. Cafe Wango is recommended for drinks as well.
Green Kafe, Deshaies
Green Kafe keeps it simple and stylish at the same time. The beachside location definitely helps the place acquire some popularity with tourists, and the perfect tastes of the dishes on the menu seal the case from there on. Good dining is mostly about great food that leaves you in a cheerful state, and this is one thing you can be ascertained of at Green Kafe.
La Playa, Capesterre
Your visit to La Plays is surely going to be the introduction of your taste buds to some new flavours. The attendants now the menu inside out. so you won’t face any trouble getting the right order going to satisfy your tastes. The service is quick, and the chefs do a fine job at returning your money’s worth.