At the end of last year I spent a week in Guadeloupe. It was my third visit (my last was in 2019) and a timely reminder of why the diverse destination—a department and region of France affectionately known as “Gwada”—should be on every Caribbean lover’s must-visit list. If you or your clients haven’t yet been, here’s some motivation!
It’s five times the fun Most travelers think that Guadeloupe is a single island but it’s actually an archipelago, properly referred to as the Guadeloupe Islands. There are five main destinations within the chain: Basse-Terre and Grand-Terre are the two islands that comprise the butterfly-shaped land mass that people think of as Guadeloupe. Then there’s tranquil Marie-Galante, La Desirade and Les Saintes, which is an archipelago itself, with charming 2-square-mile Terre-de-Haut as the main draw.
It’s easy to get to—and to get around From my home in Miami, it’s only about 3.5 hours non-stop flying time to Pointe-a-Pitre. And airlines including Air France, American Airlines, Delta and Air Canada offer direct and connecting service from the U.S. east coast, Montreal, Toronto and France. Once you’re on the ground, I recommend renting a car or hiring a driver (fair warning: traffic can be brutal!). And definitely take advantage of the inexpensive and reliable public ferry service for day trips to other islands in the archipelago.
You don’t need to parlez You don’t have to be a French speaker to enjoy a trip here. Of course, learning a few key words and phrases before you go is a good idea (Bonjour! Merci! Ou sont les toilettes?) and shows respect for the culture. But I found that as long as you demonstrated courtesy and a willingness to at least try to communicate, Guadeloupeans were warm, welcoming and happy to meet me half way (or more!) where language was concerned.
It’s a gourmand’s delight Trust me; you will NOT go hungry! Gwada has a wealth of local specialties to please your palate. I enjoyed bokit, a deep-fried, generously stuffed sandwich; Terre-De-Haut’s specialty dessert, a fruit tart called tourment d’amour; and I devoured my body weight in fish fritters called accra. Guadeloupe is also a rum lover’s dream. Back in the day there were more than 80 factories here, producing the rhum agricole for which the French Caribbean islands are famous. Today visitors can tour working habitations (estates) such as Rhum Boulogne, where you can see how the spirit is made and sampling as you go. And don’t you dare leave the island without trying ‘ti punch! It’s a simple yet potent aperitif made with rhum, lime and sugar or honey that’s a staple in local homes and restaurants.
So many beaches Gwada claims to have 248 miles of beaches, and although I sadly didn’t have a chance to sample all of them, I can certainly vouch for the beauty of the ones I did. La plage at Pain Du Sucre on Terre-De-Haut was petite and peaceful, with warm shallows perfect for little swimmers. On Marie-Galante, I was impressed by the all the sugary sweeps I saw, including Anse Canot and Plage De La Feuillere, home to the stylish oceanfront bar and restaurant Dantana Beach. Hot tip: If you’re heading to a beach beyond your resort, be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and a towel to lie on. I was surprised by the lack of chaises and umbrellas on public strands. Seems Guadeloupeans like their beaches au naturel!
It’s a set worth jetting to Fans of the British TV show Death In Paradise should definitely visit the town of Des Haies, where the popular series has been shot for the last 15 years. Filming takes place between April and September, but December through March fans can tour the set and see all the props and key locations—including the fictional town of Honore’s police station and Catherine’s Bar—for about $15. Hot tip: Catherine’s is a real bar and restaurant (called Le Madras) that serves lunch and dinner year-round but reservations are essential, particularly if you want to dine by the sea.
