Guadeloupe, formerly called "Karukéra" (the island of beautiful waters because of its many waterfalls) by the Amerindians, has been a French department since 1946. The island is part of the Windward Islands.
It consists of two main parts:
Various natural or artificial bodies of water dot the Guadeloupe archipelago, mainly south of Basse-Terre. On the slopes of the Soufrière volcano there are natural ponds. Particularly present in Basse-Terre due to its volcanic origin, there are no fewer than seven thermal springs in Guadeloupe.
Basse-Terre’s cuisine reflects Guadeloupe’s reputation as a cultural melting pot. There’s a natural affinity for seafood, and visitors can feast on succulent dishes like clam chowder, conch fricassee, fish broth, and grilled lobster at many of the capital’s restaurants. More than a third of the country’s land is devoted to agriculture, creating a wide range of fresh vegetables that accompany most meals. The produce from these fertile lands will delight discerning foodies who will sip freshly squeezed cherry juice, bite into the sweet flesh of local mangoes, and savor the taste of vintage rum.
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Like other islands in the Lesser Antilles, Guadeloupe was probably occupied by pre-ceramic Amerindian groups from 3000 BC.
The modern history of Guadeloupe begins in November 1493, when Christopher Columbus sighted Dominica during his second voyage, then Marie-Galante where he landed on November 3, 1493. The Guadeloupe archipelago was a Spanish colony for about 130 years, until 1635. The Compagnie des îles d'Amérique took possession of Guadeloupe in February 1635 with the aim of developing tobacco cultivation there in particular for export to France. This was the beginning of the colonization of the archipelago, which had a difficult start, and open wars quickly broke out. In 1641, the war between colonists and Caribs ended. The latter, already weakened by disease and massacres, were sent to the island of Dominica.
In 1664, Guadeloupe and Martinique came under the direct authority of the King of France, Louis XIV, who then decided to develop the cultivation of sugar cane. In 1671, the monopoly of the French West India Company was abolished to open up competition to all French ports in the slave trade, the massive development of which, by the French and the English, caused the price of slaves to soar but lowered the cost of their transport and satisfied the sugar planters.
After unsuccessful attempts in 1666, 1691 and 1703, the British seized Guadeloupe for the first time in 1759. They only held it for four years, until 1763 (Treaty of Paris).
After a first attempt to abolish slavery, an English occupation, slavery was finally definitively abolished in 1848.
You have chosen to travel to Guadeloupe, but you would like to to inform on the transportation, there life on site and the budget to expect? Here is the basic information to know.
Guadeloupe is easily accessible, by direct flights, from France and Belgium. Indeed, it is and will remain one of the most popular destinations for Europeans looking for warmth.
The airlines serving Guadeloupe from Europe, and offering the cheapest tickets, are:
Ticket prices obviously depend on the tourist season, and generally vary between €350 and €800 round trip. But since the end of the health crisis and the start of the war in Ukraine, we have observed a surge in prices, and this, among all airlines. In 2023, prices will rather be between €570 and €1100.
Enough to partially cut into your travel budget… but there are ways to make up for it in terms of accommodation or food!
Like flights, accommodation prices will depend heavily on the tourist season you are traveling in. You can easily go from single to double if you travel in high season.
Prices also vary depending on the type of accommodation you choose. By finding the right balance between comfort and cheapness, this is where you can save money (to compensate for the price of the ticket for example...).
At Plume Evasion, we will not mention hotels unless they are "locally-owned" and/or respect an eco-responsible charter (we want to respect sustainable values, that is to say, promote the local economy, and respect the environment as much as possible).
But between Airbnbs, lodges, guesthouses, unusual accommodations (bubbles, glamping, tree houses, etc.), there is plenty to do. Prices will vary depending on the “standing” of the accommodation chosen:
In Guadeloupe, the public transport network is quite limited. However, for your travels, depending on your place of accommodation and the places you want to go, you can opt for the bus, the sea shuttles or even taxis.
To move around freely, it is recommended to rent a car. Rental prices also depend on the season and vary between €250 and €400 per week..
In Guadeloupe, you will find activities for all tastes: culture, gastronomy, sports, nature, responsible travel... everyone will find something for them, as well as their budget. Although some "tourist trap" sites display quite high prices, you can find other excursions and visits, of greater interest and off the beaten track, free or at more than reasonable prices.
As for restaurants, it all depends on what you want. The most economical options are the small local restaurants, or the beach huts, and the food trucks that you will find on the side of the road. You can buy hearty meals there for around ten euros.
Restaurants will display prices according to their standing.
– Very cheap (sandwiches, small dishes or pastries to take away) : less than 12 €.
– Cheap : 12-20 €.
– Average prices: 20-30 €.
– Chic: 30-40 €.
– More chic: 40-55 €.
If you want to save money when cooking, be aware that everyday consumer products are on average 1.5 to 2 times more expensive than in Europe. But it will still be the most economical solution.
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