Travel Guide
Pristine Beaches & Unique Culture: Americans Can Fly Nonstop To This Lesser-Known Caribbean Island
May
When it comes to stress-free getaways and a week of endless pampering, there’s just no beating a Caribbean island, but let’s face it, the novelty of tried-and-true vacation hotspots like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica has worn off a little.
We know tropical beaches and palm-lined promenades are a running theme, and except for the language spoken there, oftentimes you’ll find it hard to tell one island from the other—there are, of course, noticeable exceptions to the rule.
If you’re dreaming of a sun-drenched coast and tan lines, but you wouldn’t mind a dose of culture to go with it, you should check out this offbeat Caribbean gem:
Discover One Of The Most Unique Island Getaways In The Caribbean
An overseas department of France, Guadeloupe is a grouping of islands in the Southern Caribbean best known for their dramatic volcanic landscapes, paradisaical sandy beaches, hugged by seas of the most turquoise blue, and French-Creole culture.
That’s the easiest way to sum it up, but if you’re wondering what makes Guadeloupe special or why Americans, who have historically ignored the archipelago as a destination, are showing growing interest, you’ll need to dig a little deeper.
Worry not, we’re here to give you the complete rundown, starting with Grande-Terre:
Secluded Beaches & Luxury Resorts
As the eastern side of Guadeloupe, Grande-Terre is largely gaining traction due to its scenic Saint-Anne Beach, featuring calm, teal-colored seas, and unspoiled white sands not yet ruined by the masses, and backed by a lively market.
It is also a short 30-35 minute drive from Pointe-à-Pitre, the largest city in the territory, making it an easy day trip for visitors, though Pointe des Châteaux, a rugged peninsula offering sweeping ocean views, and the secluded Plage de la Caravelle are equally popular.
The latter is home to the Club Med resort, an ultra-luxurious oasis blending tropical vibes and modern elegance where overnights start from upwards of $1,314—if that’s way out of budget, just know you can still visit a section of the beach for free.
Impressive Volcanoes & Lush Jungle
Separated from Grand-Terre by a narrow winding river, Basse-Terre is the western landmass making up Guadeloupe’s unusual butterfly-esque shape, and it’s where most of the attractions are centered.
An active volcano rising 4,813 feet above sea level, La Soufrière is the highest peak in the Lesser Antilles, and easily-accessible through a jungle hike.
Part of the Guadeloupe National Park, the Chutes du Carbet are a trio of scenic waterfalls that cascade down a vertiginous 360-feet cliff, into natural pools below, and to all the wildlife geeks out there, they’re part of the UNESCO-protected Guadeloupe National Park.
Once you’re done chasing waterfalls, you should keep an eye out for elusive, colorful Caribbean birds and the adorable agouti, a cousin of the racoon.
Guadeloupe Is Not Only Relaxation & Beaches
Gorgeous as these may be, Guadeloupe can’t be summarized in natural landmarks only:
Settled by the French in the 17th century, and occupied by the Brits on several occasions, it boasts a high concentration of man-made wonders that exude Old World charm—in case we didn’t make ourselves clear, Guadeloupe is as much part of France as Paris is, after all.
In Basse-Terre Town, the charming, compact harbor-side capital, you’ll find a French military fort built in the 1600s, with views of the city and sea, and over in La Grivelière, a scenic one-hour drive from Basse-Terre Town, you’ll find a well-preserved slave-era estate.
Nestled deep in the rainforest, it is a testament to Guadeloupe’s role as a major coffee and cacao exporter for France in the colonial period, and it now houses a museum—by the way, a guided tour will only set you back by around €7.50 (or $8.48).
And yep, the currency in use is the euro. This is France, remember?
Escape To An Idyllic Island For A Day
You shouldn’t miss out on at least 4 other smaller islands part of the Guadeloupe collective during your visit.
Marie-Galante is known primarily for its rum distilleries, particularly Bielle Distillery, offering guided tours and sampling, plantation-dotted hinterlands and old windmills. The easiest way to get there is ferrying from Saint-François, on Grand-Terre, and crossings take roughly 1.5 hours.
Meanwhile, Les Saintes is famous for its colorful Terre-de-Haut village, imposing Fort Napoleon, yet another military fort commanding breathtaking views of the surrounding green scenery, and deserted sandy beaches.
It’s also a lot more accessible than Marie-Galante, a 25-minute ferry ride from Trois-Rivières on Basse-Terre.
If it’s picturesque beaches and hiking trails you seek, take the 40-minute ferry from Saint-François to La Désirade, or a boat excursion to the uninhabited Petite-Terre.
How Affordable Is Guadeloupe?
If the Med Club overnight rate wasn’t an indication, Guadeloupe is not exactly the cheapest Caribbean island to visit: though select businesses may accept U.S. dollars, you’ll be paying for stuff in euros, and there is a limited offer of resorts, which tends to raise prices.
Usually, booking a B&B-style stay is a lot cheaper, starting from $136, whereas 4 to 5-star hotels can set you back by as much as $427-a-night, such as La Toubana Hotel & Spa.
On average, eating off of local bakeries, or getting takeout bokit, a local sandwich made from fried dough, filled with chicken, pork, beef, or fish, and a variety of spices, costs $5–$12.
A sit-down, three-course meal in a downtown restaurant in Pointe-à-Pitre or Basse-Terre Town, on the other hand, costs roughly $35–50 per person—on that note, we love La spatule créole for their freshly-caught fish and paella.
On average, a one-week trip to Guadeloupe costs $2,269 per person, according to estimates provided by Budget Your Trip.
It is worth noting that tourists who swap places like Cancun or Punta Cana for Guadeloupe are not exactly drawn to bargain deals: they’re primarily flying all this way for the peace and quiet, and off-path appeal, and let’s be real, those usually come at higher prices.
Fly Nonstop To Guadeloupe From Miami
Out-of-the-way as Guadeloupe may seem, you can actually fly nonstop to the French department, or more specifically, the Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (PTP), from Miami (MIA).
Air France flies there twice a week, every Sunday and Friday, while American Airlines runs a once-a-week schedule every Saturday.
Depending on how far in advance you book, you can find round-trip fares from only $631.
With Air France, flights typically depart from Miami at 9:55 AM, arriving in Guadeloupe at 1:05 PM, for a total flight duration of 3h10.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
