In its official status, the Départment/Région of Guadeloupe is an archipelago of French possessions. This archipelago includes the islands of St. Barthélemy, St. Martin, Les Saintes, La Désirade, Marie-Galante and Guadeloupe itself. In practice however, the name Guadeloupe simply refers to the butterfly-shaped island of Guadeloupe. Its 530 square miles encompass dramatic rain forests, towering waterfalls, magnificent beaches and picturesque villages. Guadeloupe is actually made up of two islands connected by a bridge over the Rivière Salée. To the east lies Grande-Terre, known for its white sand beaches, rolling hills, cane fields and resort areas. Located here is the economic capital of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre. To the west lies Basse-Terre, the larger of the two islands. Basse-Terre has a very different topography with its renowned rain forest, waterfalls, mountains and world-class diving. The capital of Guadeloupe, on this western-wing, also bears the name, Basse-Terre.
On both sides, friendly West Indian hospitality and delicious cuisine enhance the natural wonders of Guadeloupe.

Guadeloupe is 1,845 miles from New York, 4,360 miles from Paris, 2,138 miles from Montreal, 310 miles from San Juan and 125 miles from St. Barth. The western wing, Basse-Terre, is 312 square miles and the eastern wing, Grande-Terre, is 218 square miles. The population is approximately 410,000 (1992 census), with about 50% of the population still under 20 years of age. (The 1992 figure for all of Guadeloupe, the offshore islands, and French St. Martin and St. Barts is 450,000.)

The most common misconception about these islands is that it must be much hotter in summer than it is during the rest of the year. In fact, the average monthly temperatures remain remarkably stable, varying by only about 5 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. This stability can be attributed to the tradewinds (Les Alizés) which bring refreshing breezes from the Northeast throughout the year. Summer is actually a great time to visit the islands because lodging rates are much lower and the beaches, roads and restaurants are never crowded. Of course, winter and the Christmas/New Year holidays are traditionally the most popular time to go. Most holiday reservations are made months in advance.

December through May is considered the dry season, while June through November is considered the more humid season. However, in our experience, rainshowers or clear skies can occur at any time during the year. In general, rainstorms pass quickly and the sun shines on most days. Average air temperatures in coastal areas range from 72º to 86º F and in inland areas, from 66º to 81º F. Naturally, travelers will find more rain and cooler temperatures in the rain forests and higher elevations. The warm coastal water temperatures stay between 68º and 74º F. Hurricanes may occur any time from June through November and, historically, the most likely time is during early September. Progressive technology brings more sophisticated storm warning systems every year. It is unusual for any one island to be severely affected more than once or twice every 10 years and your actual odds of experiencing a hurricane are very low. Some travelers purchase trip cancellation insurance in advance of travel.

Guadeloupe is justifiably proud of its spectacular beaches, most of which are well sheltered and wonderful for swimming. The natural beaches, all beautiful to behold, range from the surf-brushed dark sands of western Basse-Terre to the long white stretches encircling Grande-Terre. A picnic on any one of them can turn into a lifetime memory. Public beaches are free, though some may charge for parking. Unlike hotel beaches, they have few facilities. Hotels welcome non-guests but charge for changing facilities, beach chairs and towels. The only clothing-optional beach is a small cove at Plage Tarare near Pointe-des-Châteaux. As is true with clothing-optional beaches everywhere, women should not arrive alone. Topless sunning and swimming is more common at hotels than on village beaches. Take your cue from how the locals are dressed.

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