Guadeloupe Beach

Guadeloupe Information
Contributed by
Tom Ogg

Language and Currency
What is Guadeloupe Like?
What is the Weather Like?
Where Does the Ship Dock?
Where is the Shopping?
What is There to Buy?
What is There To Do?
Is There Anything of a “Don’t Miss Quality?
Are There Any Great Restaurants or Bars?

Guadeloupe Port Reviews

Language and Currency

The official language of Guadeloupe is French and the currency is the French franc. Some English is spoken in the major tourist areas and U.S. dollars are met with limited acceptance. You are best off converting dollars to francs.

What is Guadeloupe like?

Guadeloupe is very popular with visitors from France and as such, reflects its French heritage everywhere. It offers excellent beaches, shopping, restaurants and sightseeing.

What is the weather like?

Guadeloupe is tropical and enjoys a dry season from January to June and the rainy season starts in July and lasts until January.

Where does the ship dock?

The ship docks at the Centre Saint-John Perse terminal in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe's main city. The downtown area is only 1 block away.

Where is the shopping?

The shopping starts right off the ship. While there are shops on many streets in Pointe-a-Pitre, the main shopping streets are Rue Schoelcher, Frébault, and Nozieres. The streets, shops and boutiques are quaint and wonderful to shop in. Even if you are not going to buy anything, just visiting the area is a visual treat.

What is there to buy?

Everything French. Guadeloupe is a duty free port and offers just about everything French one can imagine. Of special note is the huge selection of French wines that are available. You will also find designer fashions, jewelry, cosmetics, French perfumes, china, lace work and other items you would expect to see in duty free shops. In some of the tourist shops you will find myriad local handicrafts including wood carvings, shells and shell jewelry, straw items, pottery and unique cloth dolls.

What is there to do?

Guadeloupe is fun to explore and Pointe-a-Pitre is a quaint town to spend time in. The local food (a blend of French and creole) is excellent and enjoying lunch in a sidewalk cafe is an excellent experience. The Central Market is another must see. Loaded with tropical flowers, fruits, spices, staples, souvenirs, and many more items, it is a sensory treat. The Guadeloupe Aquarium is world renowned for it "walk through" treatment of some of its largest tanks. You actually walk through a glass enclosed tunnel at the bottom of the aquarium (much like at Atlantis on Paradise Island). There is a huge shark exhibit that is fascinating. 

There is also excellent SCUBA diving, snorkeling, fishing and general water sports available in Pointe-a-Pitre by local tour operators. For a close by beach grab a taxi to the Gosier resort area.

Is there anything of “Don’t Miss” quality?

Yes, don't miss Guadeloupe's open air markets. They are a sensory treat that shouldn't be missed.

Are there any great restaurants or bars?

Not that I am aware of. Do you know of any?

Guadeloupe Port Reviews
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