Guadeloupe

The carabean lifestyle includes celebrating festivals together. Music and dance are a way of communicating for the people of Guadeloupe. The most popular dance music is the 'Zouk'. This music can be heard in the streets, cafes and in many discos. It will make your blood boil!

There is a lot to see and do on Guadeloupe: there's the ocean, beaches, volcanos, rainforrests, waterfalls, rivers, bananas, red snapper and sugar cane plantations...

Guadeloupe belongs to an overseas department of France, and is therefore also part of the European Union. The political situation is stable at the moment. For further infromation please check the website: www.eda.admin.ch.

Guadeloupe was discovered in 1493 by Christoph Columbus during his second trip whilst he was searching for India. In 1835 the island became French territory, in 1946 a department, and then in 1974 it received the status of a Region.

Guadeloupe has many sport facilities: sailing, kayaking in the national park, horse riding, canoeing, surfing, diving and many more... You can also discover the land itself on a trekking tour.

Guadeloupe

The locals call Guadeloupe 'Karukera' or 'Island of beautiful waters' due to its many rivers and waterfalls. This caribbean island was discovered in 1493 by Christoph Columbus, who named it Guadeloupe in honour of 'Santa Maria de Guadelupe in Estremadura', in Spain. Since 1946 it is an overseas department of France (déprtement d’outre–mer or DOM) is therefore a member of the EU. 40’000 inhabitants live on the island. Guadeloupe comprises of five islands: Basse–Terre, Grande–Terre, La Désirade, Les Saintes and Marie–Galante. Basse–Terre has high mountain ranges and dense rain forests, Grande–Terre has beautiful beaches and coral reefs.

Festivals
There is always a reason to celebrate in Guadeloupe. The 'fêtes patronales' gives visitors a special insight into the culture of the people and the different villages. The 'fête des Cuisinières' takes place on the Saturday before the festival of 'Saint-Laurent' (10. August) and offers an unforgetable spectacle. The women present themselves in their best clothes, before the magnificent banquet is opened.
Now we get to the cusine. Even in the most common restaurants you will experience something special. A drink with rum, known as the 'Ti-Punch', is a not to miss Aperitif. The locals are very proud of this drink, and it would be very impolite to say no!

Guadeloupe – welcome to paradise!
If you take two islands, position them in the shape of a butterfly and scatter a few smaller islands in the picture, you will end up with Guadeloupe. This region belongs to France, is in the caribic and consists of nine small islands known as the Antillen.
It becomes a real challenge to find the most beautiful beach here. A tip from the locals is the 'Pompierre' on the Les Saintes, and the beach at 'Sainte-Anne' on the Grande Terre.
There are many music festivals on Guadeloupe, one example is the 'Terre de Blues', the biggest festival throughout the islands.
Guadeloupe has magnificient beaches, and it is safe, clean and thanks to the French influence, aware of the luxury that accompanies a certain standard of quality.

The National park
What ever you do, don't miss the 'Parc National de Guadeloupe', with its 17'000 hectares, it is one of the most beautiful and well preserved rain forrests in the Antillen. This could be a forrest area in 'Basse-Terre', an ocean reserve in 'Grand Cul-de-Sac' or a small island on the coast called 'Sous-le-Vent'; these national parks have things to see, that you can normally only dream of.
In the parks themselves you will find the most important sights to see in Guadeloupe: the waterfall 'Carbet', the pass of 'Deux Mamelles' and the famous volcano 'La Soufrière'. You have the opportunity to wander up to the edge of the crater of a volcano, to take a bath in a natural waterfall, or to go on a canoe trip; the national park in Guadeloupe makes the inpossible, possible!

Water sport
Who would have thought that? Guadeloupe is also the perfect destination for surfers. There are 35 magnificent surf spots to ensure that surfers really experience something to remember. In 2006 the country even received an award for being the 'Best Windsurfing Island of the Year' by the 'Caribbean World Magazine'.
If you are not interested in surfing, then you have the opportunity to dive in the fascinating underwater world of the coral reef, or to discover the island of Guadeloupe on a sailing tour.

Travel documents

A passport, which is valid for at least 6 months after the date of leaving your country.
For a stay longer than 90 days a visa is required.

Currency

Since Guadeloupe belongs to the EU, respectively France, the currency used is the Euro. Similiar to France they have bancomats. However, to be on the safe side, it is recommended that you take travellers cheques along.

Vaccinations

Recommended are vaccinations for diphtheria and tetanus. Please consult the Tropical Institute or your local doctor before your departure regarding existing illnesses, or to be sure if your vaccinations are sufficient.