Are you planning to visit Guadeloupe? This historic island in the Caribbean Sea is always worth visiting and provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy holidays with friends and family. Guadeloupe is located approximately fifty miles off coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean Sea, where it is between Curacao and Bonaire. It's one of the main gateways to the islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea and is popular among tourists all around the world.
When traveling to this island, you'll find that there are two airports that are located on the island. These are Arrecife International Airport and Barquil International Airport. If you're travelling from the United Kingdom, then you can connect through Caracas International Airport. The international airport is the main destination for travelers who wish to travel to or from Guadeloupe via plane. You'll find that when you arrive at the island, you can hop onto a shuttle bus that will take you to all different destinations across the island.
When you get off the plane, you'll notice that the capital city of Guadeloupe is Bozzy, which is the oldest city in the Caribbean. Bozzy is also the site of the only French settlement in the region. It's here that you'll find the charming cobblestone streets as well as the beautiful buildings. This French town served as the capital of the French colony in the Caribbean during the colonial era. For that matter, it gained more importance later on when the French left the area.
Today, many people are interested in visiting the area because of the many historic sites and museums it has to offer. One of the main attractions of Guadeloupe is its two museums: the Museum of French Art and the Musuem de Guadeloupe. The museum of French art offers a lot of artwork, historical artifacts, and works of art by famous French artists. On the other hand, the museum of museums de Guadeloupe houses relics depicting the culture of the Caribbeans, most common people, and the horses that brought gold to America.
Speaking English is not usually considered a must when you travel to this island, but it is important for you to know how to speak the local currency. In most cases, guadeloupeans (marked with the $) use US dollars, and Europeans (with the Euro) use Euro cents. If you have no knowledge about the local currency of the place you plan to visit, you will be very confused during the payment process at the customs desk.
This is the case especially when you want to buy something at the store or bar you're visiting. Luckily, you won't have a hard time finding all the necessities you need in the different shops around town. The most expensive island in Guadeloupe is its capital city of Cochin. Tourists usually flock to this city, which is the largest and most populated of all the islands in Guadeloupe; aside from its pleasant climate, it also offers a lot of things to do including shopping, nightlife, and sightseeing.
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits in visiting this exotic island. But before you go, you should always remember that safety is a main concern when planning to travel to a foreign country. Always check if the country you're going to be safe for tourists before buying plane tickets and making reservations. Having the right Guadeloupe travel insurance will definitely help you during your trip; and a top Guadeloupe travel insurance provider will offer you a wide coverage for the price that you paid.
Tourists who know a little about the island's culture should head to Cochin International Airport as the nearest airport to Guadeloupe. With its picturesque scenery, it would be a great place to start your trip to the island. But if you're a real traveler, you should also consider taking an alternative route to reach the island. Travelers can take a ferry to Guadeloupe or rent a car to explore the island's hidden treasures. A top Guadeloupe travel insurance provider can offer you all the information you need to make your trip comfortable and exciting.
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Guadeloupe are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
Review the latest FCDO Travel Advice before travelling to or from Guadeloupe
The best time to visit Guadeloupe is from December to May, when the weather remains warm and dry and daily highs rest in the mid-80s. Though pleasant temperatures last year-round, August and September's hurricane season can threaten your travel plans.
If your passport describes you as a British Citizen, you will not need a visa to enter Guadeloupe. Other British passport holders should check the current entry requirements on the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and if necessary confirm with the nearest French Diplomatic mission.
See which forms you may need for entry into Guadeloupe.
The official currency of Guadeloupe is the Euro (EUR). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Guadeloupe you can grab amazing Euro deals via Wise.com (GBP to EUR).
Guadeloupe Raccoon, a subspecies of the common raccoon is endangered. Its' numbers have dwindled with the loss of mangroves and rainforest. The raccoons are hunted for food. Reportedly the crab eating raccoon has been introduced to the islands.Ten species of bats inhabit the island. The Guadeloupe Big Brown Bat and Yellow Shouldered Bat are endemic. The agouti, a burrowing rodent about the size of a rabbit is also endangered. The Guadeloupe Woodpecker is endemic to Basse Terre and Grande Terre and threatened by habitat loss.
French food? The national dish of Guadeloupe is Porc Columbo which is pork seasoned with herbs and spices such as allspice, cinnamon, thyme, and curry powder.
You can typically expect to pay around £6.00p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
Guadeloupe's official language is French, which is spoken by nearly all of the population. In addition, most of the population can also speak Guadeloupean Creole, a variety of Antillean Creole. You can learn some basic French before you travel to Guadeloupe and really impress the locals!
The currency in Guadeloupe is the Euro (Hotels usually add a 10% to 15% service charge. Restaurants always add a 15% service charge, and no additional tip is needed. Most taxi drivers who own their own cars do not expect a tip; if they've been especially helpful with your luggage, you might give them an additional 10%.).
The GMT time difference is -5 hours