Welcome to Guadeloupe

Unique Facts

• Guadeloupe is actually made up of several islands in the French West Indies. Visitors can hop between the islands via a quick flight or ferry ride.
• Guadeloupe is home to La Soufrière on Basse Terre, one of the tallest mountains in the Caribbean and an active volcano.
• Guadeloupe is famous for its Rhum Agricole, a special type of rum that originated in the French Caribbean and is made of distilled fresh sugarcane juice.
• Guadeloupe was visited by Christopher Columbus in 1493, who named it Santa Maria de Guadalupe de Extremadura in honor of an image of the Virgin Mary in a monastery in Guadalupe, Extremadura.
• There are two seasons a year in Guadeloupe: January to June is the dry season, called “Lent,” and July to December is the wet season, known as “Winter” to the locals.

Language

Guadeloupe’s official language is French.

When To Go

The best time to go to Guadeloupe is from December to May when the weather is warm and dry.

Airports

Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None for stays of up to 90 days

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting Guadeloupe: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also need Hepatitis B, Rabies and Yellow Fever vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: types C, D and E. Standard voltage: 230V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Euro

Getting Around

While still rebuilding from the 2017 hurricane season, the roads in the French West Indies are generally the best in the Eastern Caribbean. There is an expressway through Guadeloupe and the roads are well paved, maintained and marked.

Public transportation options include taxi, van and bus service.

Driver’s License

A valid US driver’s license is required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Bridgetown
Wildey Business Park
Wildey
St. Michael BB 14006
Barbados, W.I.
Telephone: +(246) 227-4399
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(246) 227-4000
Fax: +(246) 431-0179
BridgetownACS@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

Tourist Office of Guadeloupe
3, Rue Gerville Réache
Trois-Rivieres 97114
Guadeloupe
Tel: +590 590 92 77 01

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

General Emergency: 112
Fire: 18
Police: 17
Ambulance: 15

Safety and Security

Petty street crime, such as purse snatching, does occasionally occur. Do not leave belongings unattended.