Rum
It's the ultimate souvenir! If you want to take home a local product, rum is the way to go. Depending on your tastes and desires, it comes in a variety of flavors. White and amber rums are ideal for ti-punch, planteur and other rum-based cocktails. Rhum arrangés are blends of white rum, spices, botanicals or macerated fruits, which are milder and sweeter than the former. Last but not least, aged rums guarantee a strong-tasting digestif (some also enjoy it as a Ti punch). So many choices that you'll be able to recall your stay by tasting it. Many distilleries offer guided tours with tastings, after which you can go shopping. Please note that customs limits the number of bottles of alcohol you can take in your luggage! Check with your airline for details. Duty-free sales available.
Spices
They are the secret of Guadeloupean cuisine: spices. The climate and geography of the archipelago are highly conducive to their cultivation. So, why not take a few home with you to remind you of Guadeloupe in your homemade dishes? The choice is endless: cumin, chillies, ginger, roucou, saffron, nutmeg, country onions, cinnamon, vanilla, browning seeds... If you feel like it, you can concoct a delicious chicken colombo, a fish court-bouillon... These spices are available at the island's various markets. Don't forget to ask the shopkeepers for advice on recipes and the best conditions for storing spices.
Exotic fruit jams
The Guadeloupe archipelago abounds in a variety of fruits, all as delicious as they are aromatic! Choose jams made from exotic fruits such as mango, banana, coconut, passion fruit, papaya or redcurrant (the star fruit of the festive season). Some are made with a blend of fruits and spices, for a pleasantly surprising taste. Treat your palate to memorable flavors! Available in a range of jar sizes, they're sure to delight even the most demanding gourmets!
Madras fabric
This fabric is typical of the French West Indies, imported by Indian workers in the 19thcentury . Dressed in a grid pattern and a multitude of colors, it can be found everywhere. It can be used for clothing, scarves, hammocks, tablecloths and towels. It can also be found on the uniforms of some schoolchildren. So you can take home from Guadeloupe pieces of fabric, or even objects made from madras. For collectors, there are even little dolls in traditional madras dresses.
Flowers and exotic fruits
If you've been captivated by the beauty of Guadeloupe's flora during your stay, you can take some home to dress up your living room or to give as a gift. But beware: a phytosanitary certificate has recently been required for the transport of cut flowers. You'll need to obtain one from the DAAF (Direction de l'alimentation, de l'agriculture et de la forêt), requesting it at least 48 hours before your trip. The document must accompany the parcel during the journey. The same applies to fruit: while bananas, coconuts and pineapples are allowed in your suitcase without restriction, you'll need to request a phytosanitary certificate to transport avocados or passion fruit. As for mangoes, citrus fruit, eggplants and plant cuttings, they are simply forbidden, on pain of prosecution, due to the presence of harmful organisms, bacteria or insects on these plants.
Handicrafts
Local craftsmanship is remarkable: artisans offer a wide variety of objects based on natural raw materials such as driftwood, sand, coconut fibers, calabash (dried fruit)... The latter, for example, is widely used, offering a multitude of possibilities: it can be transformed into a container(coui), a candle jar, a decorative mask or even a lamp. These materials are meticulously sculpted for a result that is as surprising as it is original. You'll also find jewelry made from seeds, pencil pots, paintings made from seeds or sand... Another souvenir idea is cosmetics. An increasing number of companies and craftsmen are creating shower gels, shampoos, scrubs, soaps and creams based on local products such as organic vanilla, sulfur and moringa.
Clothes and souvenirs
In addition to handcrafted gifts, you'll find a wide range of Guadeloupe-branded clothing and accessories (beach towels, pareos, bags, T-shirts, placemats, tea towels, magnets, tablecloths...). For an even more original gift, visit the boutiques of local ready-to-wear brands(LOVE Marie-Galante) or clothing and accessories made by local artists(Kreol West Indies in Saint-François, UKA in Gosier), to wear proudly back home!
Where to buy them?
These travel souvenirs are on sale in various shops around the island. But there are a few places where you're sure to find what you're looking for. Most tourist establishments(Maison du Cacao, Botanical Gardens, Guadeloupe Zoo, Guadeloupe Aquarium, Parc de la Source, distilleries, etc.) have their own stores.
The markets of Sainte-Anne and Pointe-à-Pitre abound with local products not to be missed. Taste and atmosphere are the order of the day. Sainte-Anne's market is located on a seafront boulevard, close to casual restaurants and bars. The Pointe-à-Pitre market, meanwhile, offers colorful stalls. Let yourself be guided to enjoy the fragrance of spices and other local scents, and don't hesitate to ask the saleswomen for advice.
The Village Artisanal de Saint-François, located on Pointe des Châteaux, showcases local handicrafts in attractive stalls; you'll find jewelry, coconut objects, clothing, rum...
Other souvenir shops can be found at the marinas of Gosier and Saint-François.
