In which city house in Guadeloupe?

Are you leaving on holiday for Guadeloupe, “Island with beautiful waters”? Here is our selection of cities to stay in Guadeloupe!

Northern Hemisphere Territory located in the Caribbean archipelago, Guadeloupe is ideally positioned between the Tropic of Cancer and the equator. With an area of 1,434 km2, and a total population of 397,990 (2015), the island attracts almost half a million visitors per year (580 000 tourists in 2016). And for reasons: a tropical climate with 27°C of average temperature, heavenly beaches, a mountainous and green nature for nature lovers, there is everything to travel alone or in group and at any age, for all tastes. Between Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, you will only have the embarrassment of choice to occupy you.

To stay in Guadeloupe, there are several options: rent a house, a room at the living room (via Airbnb ), book in a hotel, a bungalow or a campsite. Prices can therefore vary depending on the mode of accommodation, the season – tourist or not – and the geographic location. Here are the cities to sleep in Guadeloupe.

Bass-Terre

The western part of the island includes many hiking trails, the departmental-domaniale forest – including the famous volcano La Soufrière peaking at 1467 meters above sea level - a very rich fauna and flora. It is also the part of Guadeloupe where social life is quieter, less urbanized, less dense and less touristy, because there are fewer cities. This is where you have to come to stay if you are looking for calm. Saint-Claude, Basse-Terre, Trois-Rivières, Vieux Fort, Morne Rouge, Deshaies, Bouillante, Petit Bourg and Sainte-Rose, are the largest municipalities. On Basse-Terre, enjoy beautiful walks in the tropical forest, climb the Soufrière – nicknamed « vié madanm la » (the old lady), whose dome forms a truncated cone of 900 meters in diameter at its base.

Back from the volcano, don't miss Capesterre-Belle-Eau and the Carbet Falls. Attention, the waterfalls attract 400,000 visitors a year: so wait to cross a lot of people there. The mountain and tropical forest of Basse-Terre are an exceptional biodiversity area, classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO since 1992. Finally, pass through the Grand-Cul-de-Sac-Marin, a large bay of 15,000 hectares located between Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. And of course, visit rum distilleries! Staying in Basse-Terre will guarantee, in short, a relaxing holiday.

Grande-Terre

The eastern part of Guadeloupe concentrates the largest cities: on Grande-Terre, Pointe-à-Pitre (207,997 inhabitants or more than half of the island’s population), Sainte-Anne and Saint-François. Two must-see visits to Grande-Terre: Pointe des Châteaux, Porte d’Enfer and Pointe de la Grande Vigie. It is also and especially there that we come to make dues Farniente all day with family, going and coming from the bar to the napkin under the coconut trees: the most beautiful beaches of Guadeloupe are concentrated there.

They are protected by a coral barrier and lined by very calm waters, heated to 27°C. Snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, nap on fine sand are on the program. If you're young, we'll think about going to party in the cold bars of Pointe-à-Pitre. And then visit Guadeloupe without going to a rum distillery would be like to see New York without the Statue of Liberty: a must! Choose to stay in Grande-Terre if you are in beach or urban lifestyle.

Main photo credit : Flickr – Mat Distef