Overview of Guadeloupe
Any trip to the Caribbean should include a visit to the islands of Guadeloupe. The five French Creole islands that make up Guadeloupe create an exquisite paradise of city excitement balanced with rainforest and beach oasis. The two main islands, Basse-Terre and Grand-Terre, are joined by a bridge, making it easy to combine the two into one vacation spot. Known as "the butterfly" due to the shape these two islands create, they hold endless possibilities. The other islands, Marie-Galante, Les Saintes, and La Desirade are less developed and touristy and hold the keys to “getting away from it all”.
Any time of year is a great time to visit these Caribbean wonders. Guadeloupe weather stays beautifully tropical with temperatures staying pretty even, usually from mid-70s to 80s (20s-30s C), dropping to high 60s (low 20s C) during the night, naturally getting cooler the higher the elevation or further inland you choose to travel. The driest months are in the winter, the summer being more prone to tropical rain. |
Guadeloupe offers a great range of options for the visitor, from a national park with the highest waterfalls in the Caribbean and a volcano, to long beaches tucked away from the outside world, and cities with world class shopping and mouth-watering cuisine. During the day, try a scenic hike or the many water sports offered, from scuba diving and snorkeling to sailing and jet-skiing, after dark, try any (or all!) of the incredible restaurants and dance the night away in one of Guadeloupe's many nightspots. However you choose to spend your time here, you will delighted!
If you happen to live on the West Coast and want an experience somewhat similar to Guadeloupe you could try the Hawaiian islands. In particular, Maui, Kauai and Oahu all offer lush, laid back island experiences. Kauai may be the most laid back of all of them and the most similar in many ways to Guadeloupe. The cost of flights to the islands is similar to getting to Guadeloupe and with a few insider tips getting cheap flights to Kauai and the other islands can make the Hawaiian islands a very viable option. |
