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Banks
Banks are open for exchange Mon-Fri 8am-12 midday and 2pm-4pm. Some banks are open on Saturday mornings. Banks generally require customers to show their passport and air ticket when converting foreign dollars, particularly when converting back to your home currency.
Banks in Guadeloupe include Banque des Antilles Françaises, Banque Nationale de Paris, Banque Populaire and Crédit Agricole. ATMs are available at most bank branches and at the airport. There is a bank in all of the main towns on the island and most banks have ATMs. They work on the chip and pin system so cards issued in the US may not work. |
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Beaches
The majority of Guadeloupe's beaches are open to the general public, but there are some private shores owned by hotels, which are only open to their guests. The sand on Grand Terre, which is a coral-based island, is generally bright white. On Basse Terre, which is mountainous and volcanic, it varies from sugary golden to black. On Marie-Galante and the Saints it is generally very light. Topless bathing is acceptable on all beaches, especially near the resorts, and there are some areas that are recognised (if not official) nudist beaches. Most of the beaches have protected and calm water for swimming, but you should beware rough water in the north east and dangerous currents around the north of Basse Terre. Here is a selection of beaches in Guadeloupe.
Grande Terre
Gosier, south side, near Point-à-Pitre
Built up area with hotels on the protected south coast of Grande Terre. Windsurfing and water skiing equipment for hire.
Petit Havre, between Gosier and St Anne
A series of small coves on the south coast which generally lack crowds and are worth investigation.
Caravelle Beach, near St Anne
Popular beach that gets very crowded on weekends. Bright white sand and good for swimming.
Ste Anne Beach
Extremely popular beach near the town that gets crowded. Watersports for hire and food and drink available.
Plage des Raisins Clairs
Just outside St François on the southeastern shore of Grande Terre. Palms and other tropical trees back the gentle curves of sand.
Pointe des Châteaux, eastern tip
There are beaches on both the northern and southern sides of the eastern tip of the island, with excellent secluded strips of sand, particularly at Anse à la Gourde and Plage des Salines. There are nudist areas at Plage Tarare on the northern side.
Le Moule Beach
Reef-protected beach on the eastern coast. Some hotels near the shore, watersports facilities and beach bars.
Basse Terre
Le Grande Anse, north-western tip
One of the most attractive beaches on the island, a huge bay of golden sand and green palms. Restaurants serving food on the beach.
Malendure, mid-way down the west coast
A dark sand beach but it gets busy. Plenty of watersports on offer and day trips depart from here. Opposite Ilet de Pigeon on the west coast.
Beaches on the Saints
Pompierre, Terre de Haut
A pretty and protected bay with excellent water and sand. Sunshades and palm trees and vendors nearby.
Beaches on Marie Galante
Vieux Fort, north-west
A lovely stretch of palm-backed white sand backed giving onto calm, electric blue water. Some facilities |
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Casinos
Although casinos are not as popular as in Martinique, Guadeloupe does have a gambling industry and there are two casinos on the island.
Casino de Gosier, Grande Terre, t 84 79 68
The largest and most popular casino. Full choice of table games, over 100 machines and a bar.
Casino de la Marina, Saint François, t 88 41 31
Smaller casino on the south coast of Grande Terre. Table games and gaming machines available. |
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Check In/Check Out
As a general rule check out times are at around 12 noon and check in is some time after 2pm. This may not be inconvenient because the majority of international arrivals into Guadeloupe arrive in the mid afternoon. Some properties may be flexible on check in or check out times by prior arrangement. If you are arriving on island earlier in the day, let them know and they may be happy to provide a day room or shower facilities subject to availability. |
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Cruises
The cruise ship terminal in Guadeloupe is located at Centre Saint John Perse, near downtown Point à Pitre. Taxis are available at the cruise terminal, which also has shops, restaurants and a tourist information office. The huge liners are frequent visitors to Guadeloupe but a number of smaller and more stylish cruise ships also call into the island which include Seabourn Cruise Line, Sea Cloud Cruises and Silversea Cruises. |
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