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Territory of France

Caribbean

GuadeloupeTravel guide

Explore Guadeloupe visa rules

Guadeloupe is a group of islands in the eastern Caribbean and a French overseas department. Its two main islands form a butterfly shape, giving it the name Butterfly Island.

Why go

  1. Relax on sandy beaches beside clear blue water.

  2. Explore rainforest trails, La Soufrière volcano and Carbet Falls on Basse-Terre.

  3. Take a ferry trip to Les Saintes or Marie-Galante.

  4. Visit markets, museums and colonial buildings.

  5. See tropical fish while snorkelling or diving.

Getting there

By air

  • Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport is the main arrival point listed. Its airport code is PTP.

By sea

  • Express des Iles, Brudey Frères and Star Ferries offer services from Martinique, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Marie-Galante and Les Saintes.
  • Some ferries from neighbouring islands can carry cars. Check with the ferry company.

Getting around

  • Car

    You can hire a car at Pointe-à-Pitre airport. Drive on the right. Main roads are similar in quality to those in mainland France. Smaller roads can be uneven, full of potholes and dangerous. Drive carefully. Drivers often ignore road rules, though they are rarely aggressive.

  • Bus

    There is a public bus system. Karulis lists routes and times. Most routes start in Pointe-à-Pitre and connect main locations, including the airport. Services are limited at weekends.

What to see and do

  • Southern coast of Grande-Terre

    This main resort area has developed beaches, calm water and beach bars.

  • Parc national de la Guadeloupe

    This protected rainforest on Basse-Terre has trails for beginners and experienced hikers. It includes La Soufrière volcano, the highest peak in the Lesser Antilles.

  • Carbet Falls

    These three waterfalls lie on the Carbet River, on the lower slopes of La Soufrière.

  • Marie-Galante

    Visit for sandy beaches, rural scenery, 19th-century windmills and sugar cane plantations.

  • Basse-Terre city

    The administrative capital has colonial buildings, the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, a main square and Jardin Pichon.

  • Pointe-à-Pitre

    Explore museums, a busy Creole market, an aquarium and a colonial fort.

Food and drink

  • White rum

    The local drink.

  • Rhum agricole

    Rum made from sugar cane juice.

  • Ti Punch

    Rum mixed with lime and cane or brown sugar, sometimes mixed by guests at the table. Watch how much rum you add: it contains at least 50% alcohol.

  • Planteur

    Rum mixed with fruit juices.

  • Rhum au coco

    Rum mixed with coconut water.

Money

Euro (€; EUR)

  • Guadeloupe uses the euro, like the rest of France.
  • Exchange rates change. XE.com lists current rates.
  • Locally made rum is described as cheap to buy.

Typical costs

  • La Toubana Hotel & Spa: at least $690 per day, as listed in February 2026.
  • Zenitude Le Salako: no more than $220 per day, as listed in February 2026.
  • Hôtel la Métisse: €145 per night, as listed in February 2026.

Language

  • French is the official language and is spoken by everyone.
  • Guadeloupean Creole is the native language and is very different from French.
  • Few people understand English outside tourism. Most tourism workers speak English, and some also speak Spanish or German.
Eau non potable
Water that is not safe to drink.

Staying safe

  • Main tourist areas are generally fairly safe, especially during the day.
  • Avoid walking alone in Pointe-à-Pitre after dark.
  • After dark, stay on main roads and squares. Be cautious around small side streets.
  • Keep a low profile as a tourist to avoid unwanted attention.

Local customs

Do

  • Treat local people with respect. Guadeloupe's culture combines French and Caribbean traditions.

Staying healthy

  • Protect yourself from the sun.
  • Zika virus and dengue may be present.
  • Medical and sanitary facilities are good. Doctors are available in almost every village.
  • Tap water is usually safe to drink. Do not drink from public water sources marked “eau non potable”.

Where to stay

  • Oualiri Beach Hotel is a small hotel in Beauséjour on La Désirade.
  • La Toubana Hotel & Spa is on Route de Sainte-Anne in Sainte-Anne.
  • Zenitude Le Salako is another listed accommodation option.
  • Hôtel la Métisse is at 66 Les Hauts de Saint François in Saint-François.

Outdoor adventures in Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe offers rainforest walks, waterfalls, sandy beaches and tropical marine life. Basse-Terre has volcanic scenery and trails for beginners and experienced hikers, while southern Grande-Terre has developed beaches and calm water.

  • Carbet Falls

    HikeBasse-Terre, Guadeloupe National Park

    Waterfall walks range from 5–10 minutes from a car park to at least 3–4 hours of hiking.

    Walk from a nearby car park. Choose the waterfall carefully, as walking times vary widely.

  • Guadeloupe National Park rainforest trails

    HikeBasse-Terre

    Explore the park on its walking trails. There are options for beginners and experienced hikers.

  • Southern Grande-Terre beaches

    BeacheSouthern coast of Grande-Terre

    Visit the developed beaches along Grande-Terre's southern coast, the main resort area.

    • Protect yourself from the sun.

  • Scuba diving off southern Grande-Terre

    Scuba divingSouthern coast of Grande-Terre

    Join one of the diving schools in the southern coastal resort area to explore underwater wildlife.

  • Tropical fish snorkelling

    Snorkelling

    Explore the shallow water by snorkelling. No specific departure point or operator is given.

  • Zoo de Guadeloupe

    WildlifeBasse-Terre

    Visit the zoo and explore its walking trails and hanging bridges.

  • Marie-Galante beaches and scenery

    BeacheMarie-Galante

    1–2 days

    Visit Marie-Galante as a day trip or stay for two days. Transport details are not given.

  • Les Saintes scenic ferry trip

    More to doLes Saintes, off Guadeloupe's southern coast

    Day trip

    Take a ferry trip around the scenic island group of Les Saintes.

Airports, metros and trains in Guadeloupe

Airports with scheduled flights

  • PTPMaryse Condé International AirportPointe-à-PitreMain international airport

People and safety in Guadeloupe

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian96%
  • No religion3%
  • Hindu<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 9 of 16 countries can visit Guadeloupe easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required8
  • Freedom of movement1
  • Visa required7

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Americas6 of 7 countries
  • Europe2 of 3 countries
  • Asia1 of 6 countries

Questions

Is Guadeloupe part of France?

Guadeloupe is a territory linked to France, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit France.

Does a France visa let me visit Guadeloupe?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for France may not cover Guadeloupe. Check the Guadeloupe visa page for your passport.

Where is Guadeloupe?

It is a group of islands in the eastern Caribbean, southeast of Puerto Rico. It is a French overseas department.

What is the weather like?

Guadeloupe has a subtropical climate, cooled by trade winds. Humidity is moderately high.

Which airport do I fly into?

Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport, whose airport code is PTP.

Can I get around by bus?

Yes. Most routes start in Pointe-à-Pitre, and Karulis lists routes and times, but weekend services are limited.

What money should I use?

The official currency is the euro (€).

Will people understand English?

Most tourism workers speak English, but few people understand it elsewhere. Everyone speaks French.

Can I drink the tap water?

Tap water is usually safe. Avoid public water sources marked “eau non potable”, which means the water is not safe to drink.

Can I see tropical fish if I cannot swim?

Yes. Glass-bottom boat trips are available.

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