←All destinations
Travel Guide
Visiting Guadeloupe
Select your passport to instantly check if you need a visa.
Discover
Top Attractions in Guadeloupe
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
La Soufrière
La Soufrière is an active volcano rising to 1,467 metres, the highest point in the Lesser Antilles. The well-marked summit trail climbs through cloud forest and steaming fumaroles, rewarding hikers with sweeping island views on clear mornings.
Carbet Falls
The Carbet Falls are a trio of waterfalls tumbling from the slopes of La Soufrière, the tallest dropping around 115 metres. Forest paths lead to viewpoints over the second fall, the most accessible of the three.
Jacques Cousteau Reserve
The Cousteau Reserve off Pigeon Island is Guadeloupe's premier diving and snorkelling site, with coral gardens and turtles in calm, shallow water. Glass-bottom boats run for visitors who prefer to stay dry.
Pointe des Châteaux
Pointe des Châteaux is a dramatic headland where the Atlantic meets jagged limestone cliffs at the eastern tip of Grande-Terre. A short climb to the summit cross opens views across to the island of La Désirade.
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in Guadeloupe. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Guadeloupe.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
- Active in minutes
4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Call 15 or 18 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least 8 weeks before your trip: check the latest vaccine recommendations for Guadeloupe see where to get vaccines and whether you have to p
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police17
Ambulance15
Fire18
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an overseas region of France and part of the European Union, though it sits outside the Schengen area. Entry requirements vary by passport nationality, so check your specific requirements on the Guadeloupe destination page at Yoogo before you book.
Guadeloupe uses the euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, and ATMs are common in the main towns, though it is worth carrying some cash for small markets and rural villages.
Guadeloupe is generally safe for visitors, and most trips are trouble-free. Take the usual precautions against petty theft in busy areas, keep an eye on belongings on the beach, and be mindful of strong currents on some Atlantic-facing coasts.
Hiring a car is the most flexible way to explore the two main islands of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, which are linked by bridge. Buses serve the larger towns, and regular ferries connect the mainland with Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, and La Désirade.
The dry season from December to April brings the most reliable sunshine and is the most popular time to visit. The months from June to November are warmer and wetter and overlap with the Atlantic hurricane season, so keep an eye on forecasts if travelling then.
French is the official language and is used in government, schools, and business. Antillean Creole is widely spoken in everyday life, and a little French goes a long way, as English is not as widely spoken outside the main tourist areas.
No special vaccinations are required for most travellers, though it is sensible to be up to date with routine jabs. Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue can occur, so pack insect repellent and check the latest health guidance before you travel.
A service charge is usually included in restaurant bills, in line with French custom, so tipping is not obligatory. Rounding up the bill or leaving a little extra for good service is appreciated but never expected.
Guadeloupe has good mobile coverage across the populated areas, and as a French region it uses European networks. A travel eSIM from a provider such as Airalo is a convenient way to stay connected without roaming charges, and you can set it up before you arrive.
Guadeloupe blends French and Creole culture, and a polite greeting of bonjour when entering a shop or restaurant is appreciated. Dress is relaxed but beachwear is best kept to the beach, and meals are often a leisurely affair to be enjoyed slowly.