Road trip in Guadeloupe: the must-see stages

Want to visit the French Antilles outside the beaten path? The road trip in Guadeloupe is the ideal solution!

Nestled in the heart of Les Petites Antilles in the Caribbean, the Guadalupean archipelago enjoys an exceptional biodiversity that enchants travellers in search of tropical paradise! Composed of two main islands, Grande-Terre to the east and Basse-Terre to the west, Guadeloupe reveals all its beauty to the adventurers who dare to travel from one end to another.

To admire the beautiful beaches populated with palm trees, lush jungles, hot springs, the active volcano of the Soufrière and many other wonders, nothing better than a itinerant journey. So take aboard your bolide, play the adventures and discover all the riches that are offered by the one that is surnamed “Emereraude Island” during a three-week road trip to Guadeloupe!

La Guadeloupe in a few words

A road trip in Guadeloupe promises freedom, cultural immersion and unforgettable experience! Between curiosity and wonder, this trip has many surprises! Known as "the island with butterflies" or "the island with beautiful water", Guadeloupe is full of sights but also of hidden, almost forgotten destinations.

Outside the beaten paths, impregnated in the Creole culture, Guadeloupe is discovered at the turn of a green forest, an isolated waterfall, an original architecture or an impressive cliff. In addition to its natural richness, it is also a land of folklore, customs and traditions (do not pass alongside local craftsmanship, nor beside the Creole gastronomy!).

Grande-Terre in 8 days

Guadeloupe is an archipelago in the heart of the Lesser Antilles composed of five islands: Bass-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante , Holy and the Desirade.

The two main islands, Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre are separated by a narrow sea arm called Salted River and a mangrove area at the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin. Grande-Terre, formerly « Cibuqueira », is a magical island to relax in the sun.

Day 1: From Pointe-à-Pitre Airport to Sainte-Anne

Once you land at Ponte-à-Pitre Airport, go get your bolide! One car rental for a road trip in Guadeloupe allows you to enjoy a holiday at your own pace and at a small price (the essence costs about 1,31€ and the gasoil 1,13€)!

Take the roads by taking a few stops in various beaches (Datcha and Petit Havre). If you have time, take a tour of Le Gosier Island (very fast and cheap). Arriving at Sainte-Anne, you will discover the traces of the past colonizer with the many ruins of sugar mills located all around the city.

Days 2 and 3 : from Sainte-Anne to Pointe des Châteaux

In Saint-Anne, the ancient capital of Grande Terre, let yourself be carried by the Creole atmosphere. Walk around town, stroll through the markets and especially enjoy local specialties such as the Tourments d’Amour, cakes that are both mellow and crispy, coconut, banana, guava and other exotic fruits. During your road trip in Guadeloupe, you will not be able to pass!

Alongside the sea, take a beautiful road surrounded by vegetation that leads you directly to Pointe des Châteaux . The most Isthmus to the west of Grande-Terre, it is a must to be missed under no pretext! At its extremity, a rocky sparrow with a mission cross looks to La Désirade and the Atlantic.

Optional: If you have a little more time, go to the discovery of La Désirade. This peaceful island, surrounded by beautiful beaches bordered by palm trees and protected by coral reefs, is probably the most authentic and wild island in the archipelago. This is the perfect spot to try snorkeling!

Day 4: From Pointe des Châteaux to Anse-Bertrand

The next kilometers of this road trip in Guadeloupe will surpass the previous ones. Beaches and paradisiacal bays with a loss of sight, crystalline and blue waters, green and abundant vegetation, towns and villages typical Creoles... In short, you take your eyes on this road trip in Guadeloupe!

Once the charming (but agitated) colonial cities of Saint-François and Moule pass, direction the Anse-Bertrand for a little more calm. On the programme of this road trip in Guadeloupe, farniente on the beach! Therefore, don’t forget sun cream!

Days 5 and 6: from Anse-Bertrand to Pointe-à-Pitre

If during your road trip in Guadeloupe you dream of escapades away from mass tourism, you are in the right place! The Anse-Bertrand, the Pointe de la Grande Vigie and the lagoon of the Gate of Hell are famous for their splendid wild views! A marked path allows you to explore the forest and enjoy sumptuous views of the surrounding cliffs.

Just a few kilometers further, you arrive in the small fishing village of Port-Louis. Pittoresque and traditional, it houses beautiful traditional houses with pastel shades and one of the most beautiful beaches of Guadeloupe: the beach of the Brewer!

For the rest, we advise you to take a break for a few hours in Pointe-à-Pitre. The largest city in the archipelago, it is very appreciated for its heavenly beaches, but also for its rich colonial past. In its midst, you will also discover buildings of another era such as the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, the Place de la Victoire or the Saint-John Perse Museum.

Optional: From Pointe-à-Pitre, we invite you to take the boat to visit the island of Marie-Galante.

Days 7 and 8 (optional step): Marie-Galante

This little piece of heavenly earth promises you a total change! Once reserved for sugar cane plantations, the island has a rich historical and artisanal heritage, but is also perfect for enjoying the beauty of tropical landscapes.

In addition to its splendid beaches, astonishing mangroves and coves for swimming, there are many leisure activities. There is no doubt that Marie-Galante will seduce you and leave you compelling memories.

Among the things to do and the activities to do, we recommend:

• Château Murat : old sugar house of the eighteenth century, it is now abandoned. However, it is possible to visit its ruins any season;
• Distillerie de Bellevue : inaugurated in 2003, it is the first fully non-pollutant antillean distillery;
• Gueule Grand Gouffre: From this open-air blower, you will have a dizzying view of a dark hole as well as the waves of the ocean that come to throw themselves with fracas against the rock;
• Hiking: 9 marked routes allow you to indulge in the joys of hiking;
• Snorkeling: You discover a fabulous fauna like multicolored fish, rays and sometimes even sea turtles!

Recommendation: At least one night!

Bass in 12 days

Great Earth, very touristy, has charmed you with its dream beaches and small typical Creole cities? Bass-Terre, for her part, will seduce you by its wild side and its tropical forest synonymous with paradise for barouders and adventurers!

Days 9 and 10: from Pointe-à-Pitre to Pointe Noire

Come on, it’s gone, direction the island of Basse-Terre! This road trip in Guadeloupe during the crossing takes a wilder look on both sides with abundant tropical vegetation. On board your bolide, you trace to Deshaies and pass through some cities like Lamentin, Sainte-Rose and Bas Vent where it is nice to take some pictures.

Once you arrive in Deshaies, a small fishing village on the edge of the Caribbean Sea, you will be charmed by colorful wood houses, the smell of coconut and rum and the beautiful paradise beaches around. One of the main points of interest of the village is its splendid botanical garden. This beautiful park allows you to observe the flora and fauna of the archipelago: it is a must for your road trip in Guadeloupe!

On 7 hectares, it offers visitors different collections, including a palm grove, a pond with nenuphars, exotic birds and a beautiful 10-metre high waterfall. You will learn a lot about local biodiversity!

After sleeping in this village almost out of time, take the road to Pointe Noire for a lot of surprises! This road trip in Guadeloupe has not finished amazing you!

Days 11 and 12: from Pointe Noire to Basse-Terre

Continue your road trip in Guadeloupe by going just a few kilometers after Pointe Noire, at the Acomat jump. In the heart of the rainforest, magnificent waterfalls stand in front of you! Edged with volcanic beaches, you must absolutely stop there to put your feet in the water and picnic.

Let's continue with a place that will surely delight small and large. The Mamelles animal park allows you to discover the Caribbean flora and fauna. Once the animals are observed, direction the heart of nature, in the Cousteau Reserve. This marine park is a must-see for diving enthusiasts! A true haven of peace for fish, rays and sea turtles, some of the most beautiful water landscapes in Guadeloupe are found.

After this enriching day, we advise you to stay in Bouillante, one of the oldest villages in Guadalupe. the next day, before taking the road to Bass-Terre, stop at the Freedom Memorial. This place bears witness to slavery deeply rooted in the history of the French Antilles.

Days 13, 14 and 15: from Bass to Trois-Rivières

Between Basse-Terre and Trois-Rivières, towns, villages, monuments and natural areas are to be seen. Here are the main ones:

• Bass-Terre: classified as “City of Art and History” since 1995, it contains some cultural treasures such as its cathedral Notre Dame de Guadeloupe and the house of the Corsaire;
• The Soufrière : located in the park of Guadeloupe, this volcano still active (but in a state of eruptive rest, no panic!) is the highest peak of the Petite Antilles. Also known as the Old Lady, the Soufrière volcano is one of the most prestigious places in the park of Guadeloupe. His ascension is accessible to all;
• Lake Flammarion: located at the bottom of the Citerne crater, its acid water (due to its high pH rate) annihilated all forms of vegetation around, except for a few uncommon plant species as the Blechnum the herminieri and Isachne rigidifolia ;
• Three-Rivières: this picturesque village is home to old creole houses and houses, a small port and also the Archaeological Park of the engraved rocks, which includes 230 engravings of the Arawaks dating from the pre-Columbian era.

Optional: from Trois-Rivières, we invite you to take the boat to visit the island of Saintes. The visit ensures beautiful natural discoveries and a stay under the sign of relaxation.

Days 16 and 17 (optional step): the Holy

Located in the Caribbean Sea, the archipelago of the island of Saintes comprises several Caribbean islands, but only two are inhabited: Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas.

To switch to this road trip in Guadeloupe, Wanderlix tells you all the best activities on every island!

• Terre-de-Haut: its town houses small, colourful wooden houses and magnificent volcanic rock churches of another era: a journey in the guaranteed past! Don’t miss the impressive Fort-Napoléon, which houses a museum and a sumptuous garden;
• The Netherlands: It offers visitors free, confidential and disappointing trails in forests and paradise beaches. On the programme of your getaway: beach of Grande-Anse, remains of the old pottery, walks in the small village of Petite-Anse;
• Ilet Cabrit: it combines vestiges of the past and wild nature. Thus, the ruins of the penitentiary cleave the coconut trees, and the iguanas mark your way. History lovers will go to Fort Joséphine while the athletes will go scuba diving.

Recommendation: we advise you to spend at least one night to imbue you with the authentic atmosphere that reigns there.

Days 18 and 19 : from Trois-Rivières to Goyave

Even if it’s the last days of your road trip in Guadeloupe, you still have a part of the island to explore! Come on, we don't think about the end and we continue to enjoy this magical experience! For this, take the road to Capesterre Belle Eau. Here you can admire all the environmental riches of Guadeloupe.

For your first stop, you have to stop in the pool of paradise. If Guadeloupe is nicknamed “Island of Belles Waters”, it is not for nothing! Located a few meters from the famous Carbet Falls, this little secret corner in the middle of nature is forgotten by tourists. It is thus very pleasant, especially when looking for calm.

In the middle of the rainforest, in three idyllic-colored basins, the water of the surrounding waterfalls, the most famous of which is the Paradise waterfall. So what are you waiting for to enjoy this vicious swimming?

The other place not to be missed is, of course, the Carbet Falls! To access it, you have the choice between 3 trails leading to 3 falls depending on your level.

• The easiest and fastest access (30 minutes) is the second fall of the Carbet.
• The first fall is difficult, you will need a minimum of 2 hours to get there.
• For the third, we also have to go back 4 hours.

After sleeping in Capesterre Belle Eau, take your road trip back to Guadeloupe and head to the beautiful village of Goyave. If you are looking for a preserved place of mass tourism, you will enjoy discovering this small town.

Day 20: from Goyave to Pointe-à-Pitre Airport

In Goyave, the Jardin d’Eau de Blonzac is a playful and sporting place that will appeal to the whole family. The Fruity Garden is an arboretum that also makes it possible to know more about the plants and fruit of the rain. Everywhere in Guadeloupe, there are beautiful beaches and Goyave does not escape the rule: here, it is Sainte-Claire and its grey sand that have the favor of the inhabitants and the travellers.

Before you head to Pointe-à-Pitre Airport, make a stop at the shrimp waterfall for a swim in an idyllic setting.

So, this road trip in Guadeloupe woke up the guy who sleeps in you? Tell us your favorite passage in comment!