Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe, a French island in the Caribbean, is known for its haute dining, magnificent beaches, rainforests, waterfalls, mountainous, and lush terrain full of spectacular scenery. Guadeloupe is actually a combination of two islands, Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre, the more sophisticated of the two islands, boasts white-sand beaches and rolling hills as also the island's biggest town, Pointe-à-Pitre. This European-style village is a shoppers' delight. For the nature lovers, the ideal destination is Basse-Terre.
Stay in a beautiful beachfront vacation villas in Guadeloupe to get a taste of France in the Tropics. Whether you are on the island for a honeymoon, a romantic getaway or simply to relax, these vacation rental villas will make your stay in the beautiful island of Guadeloupe an experience to cherish for a lifetime.
Things to see and do in Guadeloupe
- Beaches: The beaches of Guadeloupe’s are good for swimming. The beaches in Grande-Terre have white sand, while black-sand beaches dot the western end of Basse-Terre.
- Snorkeling and Scuba diving: Guadeloupe is a popular snorkeling destination. You can have access to coral reefs directly from the beaches. The best places to dive or snorkel are around the preserved underwater sanctuary of the Pigeon Isles. You can hop into a glass-bottomed boat to explore the underwater life at several marine nature reserves on Petite-Terre and Basse-Terre.
- The National Park of Guadeloupe: The Park has around 300km (188 miles) of marked trails leading into the rainforest. You can take in the spectacular views of waterfalls, such as the Cascade aux Ecrevisses, and scenic lakes along the routes.
- The Festival of Women Cooks (or the Fête des Cuisinières): This is considered to be one of Guadeloupe’s most spectacular events, and is usually held in Pointe-á-Pitre in August. Apart from the sumptuous food, you can look forward to colorful parade, dance and music.
Dining in Guadeloupe
No visit to Guadeloupe can be complete without sampling its famed spicy-flavored Creole cuisine. Dishes include lobster, turtle, red snapper, conch and sea urchin. Rum punch, a brew of rum, lime, bitter and syrup, is the local drink that accompanies most meals. The restaurants in Guadeloupe are also famed for their French and local cuisine. For casual dining you can try the Bokits, the local staple available at the food carts dotting the streets near schools, plazas, and some beaches.
Entertainment and nightlife in Guadeloupe
There is a wide range of gambling, discotheques and restaurants to appeal to all tastes and budgets. You can dance away the hours in the discos on Grande-Terre. The waterfront nightclubs in Bas du Fort Marina are usually filled to capacity. Biguine is the famous dance of the island. There are also two casinos on Guadeloupe.
Golfing in Guadeloupe
Golf International of Saint Francois: This is an 18 hole year round golf course. Facilities include bar, restaurant, changing rooms, and snack bar.