Stay : Discover Guadeloupe in 7 days
You'll have to make a choice, because there's a whole host of activities to choose from. This typical tour is best conceived with accommodation that allows you to radiate easily around the island, either from Sainte-Anne, Le Gosier or Petit-Bourg. You can also choose to spend a few days in Grande-Terre and the rest of the week in Basse-Terre, to keep travel to a minimum.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
7 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Where to stay - Saint-François ?
The map of your stay - Guadeloupe
Detail of the stay : Discover Guadeloupe in 7 days - 7 days
Day 1: Arrival in Pointe-à-Pitre
The difference in temperature hits you as soon as you leave the air-conditioned Pointe-à-Pitre airport! After a 7 to 8-hour flight, you'll need to keep your eyes open for a few more hours, as jet lag is inevitable. First step: pick up your rental car and head for your accommodation! This first day will be dedicated to rapid acclimatization, with a good meal and a well-deserved night's sleep.
Day 2: South of Grande-Terre
Steps: Saint-François, Sainte-Anne
Like all Guadeloupeans, wake up at the crack of dawn to take advantage of the cooler mornings. Start the day with a dip in the pool or in the sea, before heading south to Grande-Terre, with the Pointe des Châteaux in Saint-François via Sainte-Anne in your sights. Sainte-Anne is a popular tourist destination, with its picture-postcard backdrop of crystal-clear waters protected by the coral reef. Pointe des Châteaux, a spit of land where huge waves crash, is home to a wild landscape offering breathtaking views of the surrounding islands. Don't miss the easy climb up to the calvary for a view of the rugged coastline and the peaks jutting out into the sea. Numerous beaches and restaurants are on your way. Return by the same route, stopping off at the artisan village of Saint-François and then at the Sainte-Anne market to sample local produce.
POINTE DES CHÂTEAUX
Day 3: From Petit-Bourg to Basse-Terre
Steps: Basse Terre, Capesterre-Belle-Eau, Deshaies, Goyave, Petit-Bourg, Trois-Rivieres, Saint-Claude, Matouba
From Petit-Bourg, stop off at your choice of the Valombreuse garden, the Montebello distillery or, a few kilometers further on, the Longueteau distillery in Capesterre-Belle-Eau. Weather permitting, the area is a great starting point for hikes(Moreau Falls, Carbet Falls, etc.). In Trois-Rivières, you'll find the Archeological Park of Engraved Rocks, vestiges of the presence of the island's first inhabitants, the Aboriginals. Saint-Claude, the only commune in the archipelago without a coastline, is the departure point for Matouba hot baths. If you'd like to climb the volcano, you'll need to allow half a day or even a full day. You can also hire a mountain guide for an exciting tour off the beaten track. Basse-Terre, the department's capital and a Ville d'Art et d'Histoire (City of Art and History), is well worth a visit. Recommended stops include Fort Louis-Delgrès, the Botanical Garden and the Bologne distillery.
Day 4: Route de la Traversée and Côte-sous-le-Vent
Steps: Deshaies, Pointe-Noire, Sainte-Rose, Route De La Traversée, Bouillante
The route de la Traversée takes you inland to Guadeloupe's vast national park, where the expression "lush vegetation" takes on its full meaning. This route takes you to a number of beautiful sites: the Crayfish Waterfall (accessible to people with reduced mobility), the Guadeloupe Zoo, or further inland at Pointe Noire, theCôte-sous-le-Vent dwelling or the House of Cocoa... You then reach Bouillante, the Golden Triangle of scuba diving. The Malendure site, with its black sand beach, is home to the underwater reserve known as the Réserve Cousteau, where numerous water sports activities are on offer. For the return journey, there are two possible itineraries: take the route de la Traversée or the Côte-sous-le-Vent coastal road to Deshaies, then Sainte-Rose to the north of Basse-Terre. The panoramic views along the way are superb at sunset. If you have the time, stop off at the botanical garden in Deshaies or theeco-museum in Sainte-Rose.
Day 5: Sea getaway
Steps: Sainte-Rose, Terre-De-Haut, Petite-Terre
There are several options for this day. Opt for relaxation and take a day trip on a sailboat to Petite-Terre, Marie-Galante or Les Saintes, with swimming, meals on board and a visit to the island for a few hours. Alternatively, you can take a sea trip to the famous Grand Cul-de-Sac marin nature reserve, as far asîlet Caret, with a visit to the mangrove swamp and snorkeling in the coral reef. The islands of the archipelago (La Désirade, Marie-Galante and Les Saintes) can be visited by shuttle from Pointe-à-Pitre for Marie-Galante, from Trois-Rivières for Les Saintes and from Saint-François for La Désirade.
ÎLET CARET
Day 6: North of Grande-Terre
Steps: Anse-Bertrand, Le Moule, Morne A L' Eau, Capesterre-De-Marie-Galante, Le Gosier, Petit-Canal, Port-Louis
Continue on to Saint-François, with its dynamic marina, golf course and island pier. Then head for Le Moule, one of the oldest towns on Grande-Terre. On the way, stop off at the Bellevue distillery, the Edgard-Clerc museum and the "haunted" Zevallos house, built by the Eiffel workshops. Towards Anse-Bertrand, the surfers' spot, the road skirts the bay and allows you to discover grandiose natural sites: the Porte d'Enfer lagoon and the Grande-Vigie headland. A must-do is a short hike along the sentier des crêtes, one of the wildest in the West Indies. Descend to Port-Louis, a quiet little port, then on to Petit-Canal, from where you leave the seaside to reach Morne-à-l'Eau. The monumental cemetery, right in the center of town, is impressive. Return to Gosier.
MUSÉE EDGAR-CLERC / MAISON ZÉVALLOS / DISTILLERIE BELLEVUE / LA PORTE D'ENFER / POINTE DE LA GRANDE-VIGIE / CIMETIÈRE DE MORNE-À-L'EAU
Day 7: Last preparations before the return
Flights to the mainland are scheduled from early afternoon to late evening. Some accommodations allow you to change before the airport by providing luggage storage and showers. This way, you can enjoy the activities to the fullest until the last moment. If you are not too exhausted, why not do a last sport activity on the beach (water scooter ride, canoeing, etc.) before leaving. As for shopping, if you forget, the airport floor dedicated to departures has stores, a pharmacy and a snack bar.
How to get there - Saint-François
Book your activity - Saint-François
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Ideas for holidays and week-end breaks Guadeloupe
-
Find a hotel
-
Car Rental
-
-5% on travel insurance
-
Find a local agency