Organize your stay Guadeloupe
Money Guadeloupe
As the Guadeloupe archipelago is located in the French West Indies, you don't need to make any changes, as the currency used is the Euro.
Each bank has ATMs, some of which are accessible from the outside. ATMs are also available in the island's shopping malls, at the airport, at the ferry terminal, and in the casinos of Gosier and Saint-François... Credit cards are accepted in almost all shops, but if in doubt, ask before making your purchases, especially in the typical restaurants or in the lolos, the small local grocery stores. American Express cards are also accepted in certain establishments, notably hotels. Off-the-shelf cheques (from banks in France) are refused in some shops.
Banks are open Monday to Friday, except on public holidays (please note the additional public holidays in Guadeloupe: Lundi et Mardi Gras, Wednesday des Cendres, Thursday de la Mi-Carême, Good Friday, Saturday Gloria, May 27, July 21 and November 2).
Budget & Tips Guadeloupe
It all depends on your habits. If you only consume imported products bought in supermarkets, you'll definitely feel the difference at the checkout. The same is true of imported equipment (vehicles, household appliances, furniture, etc.), which are subject to both transport costs and various taxes that drive up prices. The cost of living in the French West Indies is a regular topic of debate. Several demonstrations against the high cost of living have taken place in recent months. A system of price ceilings on basic necessities is renegotiated each year with the stakeholders concerned, but deemed ineffective by some.
If you're cooking in your gîte, it's a good idea to use local produce available at local markets, which can save you a lot of money. Even if it's difficult to cook without dairy products, flour, oil and rice, all of which are sold in supermarkets and are also present in Creole cuisine.
The circular economy between private individuals is re-establishing itself as it did in the past, with associations that enable the reuse of clothing, furniture and household appliances at low prices, for a more responsible form of consumption that is more accessible to an impoverished population.
Don't try to find the gas station with the cheapest fuel. It's the same all over the island.
Beware of false bargains that would lead you to believe that small, typical restaurants are cheaper than the high-street ones. Be sure to ask for prices before settling in.
Visiting Guadeloupe in the low season (May - June - September to mid-October) means lower prices, as visitor numbers are at their lowest on the island. The threat of hurricanes is undoubtedly partly responsible for this lack of interest in September. Rates remain more attractive in July and August (compared to the December to April period), but they are nevertheless on the rise, as these two months see many West Indians returning home from France.
Passport and visas Guadeloupe
If you're staying in France after just a few hours by plane, a valid identity card or passport is all you need to enter Guadeloupe for French nationals and citizens of the European Union. However, if you wish to travel to neighboring islands, you will need a passport.
This formality is essential for travel to the island of Saint-Martin if you are arriving via Juliana international airport, as it is located on the Dutch side of the island (travellers must bring their return ticket and a passport valid for six months after the date of return). L'Espérance Grand-Case airport, on the other hand, is on the French side, and only an identity card is required.
Driver's license Guadeloupe
Many rental companies offer vehicles for hire. Any serious rental company is obliged to ask for your driver's license when drawing up the rental contract. In high season, it can be difficult to find a last-minute rental. It's best to book in advance of your arrival.
It is now possible to travel around the island without a valid driving license (subject to various conditions depending on the brand), as several rental companies now offer cars without a license. Make sure you don't carry too much luggage, as these are small vehicles with very modest trunk space.
Health Guadeloupe
No vaccinations are required to enter Guadeloupe. Hygiene standards are identical to those in France.
It is advisable to protect yourself from mosquitoes by using repellents and long, loose-fitting clothing, as they are particularly aggressive in the early morning and after dark. Some mosquitoes are vectors of diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika. Females need stagnant water to lay their eggs. Dengue epidemics often occur in Guadeloupe after heavy rainfall. These viruses are transmitted by the bite of a mosquito, itself a vector. Symptoms include fever, headaches, joint and muscle pain, itching, nausea... Two vaccines exist, but have not been authorized by the French National Authority for Health because of the risks or their ineffectiveness on certain types. A third vaccine proved effective in Brazil in early 2024. For the time being, paracetamol and vitamin C are the only remedies available. Aspirin should be avoided, however, as one of the 4 forms of dengue fever can be hemorrhagic and, in some cases, fatal. It is strongly recommended to consult a doctor in the event of high fever.
The new CHU is due for completion in early 2025, with a capacity of 618 beds at a cost of 600 million euros.
Mandatory vaccination Guadeloupe
No vaccinations are required for a stay in the French West Indies. The Institut Pasteur recommends that you update your vaccination schedule, particularly for hepatitis A.
Security Guadeloupe
To avoid disappointment, take the usual, common-sense precautions you would adopt in France. Tourists are generally not affected by ordinary violence. However, don't wander around at night in an unfamiliar neighborhood, especially in Pointe-à-Pitre and its suburbs (Place de la Victoire, Carénage, Bas-du-Fort...). Gold jewelry, smartphones and other valuables can attract the attention of thieves. Don't hesitate to use your accommodation's safe. Don't walk around with too much money on you, and don't leave anything lying around in sight in tourist cars, especially on your way to the beach. Be aware that tourists are immediately spotted; they represent an ideal opportunity for opportunists to get their hands on cash, cameras, smartphones and so on.
Time difference Guadeloupe
It's 5 hours less in Guadeloupe than in mainland France during winter time, and 6 hours less during summer time. In January, when it's 6pm in Paris, it's 1pm in Guadeloupe; in July, when it's 6pm in Paris, it's 12pm in Guadeloupe. An important difference to bear in mind when making calls.
Spoken languages Guadeloupe
As elsewhere in France, the official language is French, but Guadeloupe is one of those territories that have kept their regional language alive.
Although Creole was long neglected, or even forbidden to be used in families, as it was considered pejorative, it has now been recognized, taught in schools for several decades and promoted by numerous West Indian writers and artists. Creole is a truly living language, used throughout the Caribbean (and even on Réunion Island!), with differences from island to island. These variations can even be observed between Guadeloupe Creole and Martinique Creole. Mainly oral, the syntax of this language is now widely studied.
Creole was born during the colonial period, out of the need to understand each other among slaves of different origins, but also with their masters. It is a mixture of African languages and the language of the colonists (French, English, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch).
Electricity and measurements Guadeloupe
The electrical standard is 220V, with sockets identical to those in mainland France. The measurements used are also the same, because you're still in France, even 8,000 km away and with the sun shining brightly every day.
Luggage Guadeloupe
Even if you can buy everything locally, the essentials for the West Indies are a backpack, sun protection (lycras for the boat or the beach, environmentally-friendly sun creams, a hat or cap, sunglasses), mosquito repellent cream or lotion, an individual mosquito net if you're staying in a gîte without one, light cotton clothing, swimsuits and a sarong, and warmer clothes for the trip there and back. For the evening, no warm clothing is needed (unless you plan to stay in the heights of Saint-Claude or Matouba, where temperatures tend to drop in the evening), and for men, a polo shirt can easily replace a shirt for an outing to a gourmet restaurant. Loose-fitting, light-colored, long clothing is recommended in the evening to protect against mosquitoes. For hiking: walking shoes, a light rain jacket, a camera and, of course, your favorite tour guide!
