What if we opted for the Caribbean for the next vacation? A little sun and relaxation never hurts. From dream beaches to exceptional hikes, passing by superb waterfalls and water activities of all kinds, everyone will be served. Guadeloupe meets the expectations of the whole family. It is now necessary to prepare its trip.

When to go to Guadeloupe?

First of all, it is necessary to determine when to leave. And that often depends on the season. You are in the tropics and it is to this humid climate that we owe the great richness of the Guadeloupean fauna. However, one period of the year is less rainy than the other. Indeed, in Guadeloupe, as everywhere in these latitudes, there are 2 seasons:

The Hivernage which corresponds to the wet and cyclonic season extends from June to NovemberThe

Lent, which is the dry season, extends from November to June.


The Lent is the high season in Guadeloupe, and particularly the period from December to April, when the climate is the most clement. The days are rather hot and dry and the evenings are cooler. However, it should be noted that prices will be higher during this period ... High season obliges.
The trick is to leave in November or May to enjoy the pleasant climate of Lent, while saving money.

Book your plane ticketThe

Pôle Caraïbes Airport in Guadeloupe is very well served by the mainland. On average, 6 planes take off every day from Orly towards Guadeloupe. So there is little chance of not being able to leave at the desired time. The airlines that fly daily are Air France, Corsair and Air Caraïbes. Otherwise, Belgium has also opened a direct line from Brussels with Air Belgium which offers an average of 3 flights per week.

Which airline to choose?

Fares are often quite close, competition is such that the different companies cannot afford to increase the price differences. Tip to get the best fares: It is better to buy your plane tickets on the internet, as far in advance as possible. In addition, companies regularly make promotional offers, such as Air Caraïbes. It is therefore necessary to be vigilant and monitor regularly. As for flight times, all planes leave Paris in the morning or early afternoon. There are no night flights from Orly. On the other hand, all return flights from Pointe-à-Pitre require you to travel at night.

Rent a carIn

Guadeloupe there are 1,000 things to see between the waterfalls, beaches, hiking trails and cliffs of Grande-Terre... In short, to have the chance to see as much as possible you need to find a way to move. The only way to do it freely is to rent a car in Guadeloupe. Why? Because public transport is almost non-existent, does not serve the whole island and the timetables are very approximate.
To rent a car, same advice as for the plane tickets: book as long as possible in advance to have the best prices. Also, it is better to rent online, the rates being more interesting than in agency. As you can see, there are many car rental companies in Guadeloupe. Jumbo Car Guadeloupe has the advantage of being a local car rental company and a big brand specialized in the DOM for many years. Also, the rates are always adapted. Its big advantage is that one of its agencies is located directly at the airport of Guadeloupe. Once you get off your plane, a free shuttle picks you up at the airport exit and takes you to the park 2 minutes away to pick up your car. The same for the return trip, it will drop you off after you have returned the vehicle. Easy, fast, economical and efficient.
Which car to choose?

For more comfort and safety and to be sure you can go everywhere, it is preferable to rent an SUV type elevated car.

Find your accommodationThe

choice is very large in Guadeloupe. Many hotels or hotel residences are located near the key places of the island as well as near the most beautiful beaches. Many individuals also offer accommodation for rent on Airbnb. You will also see cottages and other villas with swimming pools for rent at prices that may surprise you depending on the time of year. The easiest way is to use booking platforms such as Booking or Airbnb.
It is possible to opt for a single accommodation for the whole stay or for a more "nomadic" holiday. It is common to see tourists who take an accommodation on Grande-Terre for part of the stay and then another in Basse-Terre. The advantage is that you can plan to spend a few days on the neighbouring islands such as Marie-Galante or Les Saintes without paying for 2 accommodations at the same time. This more economical option is often very appreciated.

What to put in your suitcase ?

Exit the down jackets, boots, scarves and other clothes to protect you from the cold. When you come to the West Indies, it is to look for the sun and the heat. That said, there are some things you should take with you to protect yourself from the sun (among other things). Here is the list of the essentials to take in your suitcase.

SwimsuitTongs

/ SandalsCap

/

HatSunglassesSunscreen (environmentally friendly)

Snorkeling kit: mask / snorkel / lycra

t-shirtHiking

gear

: shoes,

backpackMosquito

repellentLightweight

pants

and a long-sleeved top for the evening to protect you from mosquitoesCamera

, a GoProSweater

:

evenings can be chilly and the air conditioning in restaurants often strong


Now all you have to do is imagine your itinerary or make a list of things to see. Between the hikes, the beaches, the dives, the distilleries, the nautical outings, etc. It's impossible to get bored! Enjoy your trip!