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From 2015-2016 I lived on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. This gorgeous island, located in the Lesser Antilles, is a French overseas department. Often overlooked by English speaking travelers, cheap flights have made the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe more accesible than ever! If you take the time to visit these hidden gems, here are 8 things you should know!

St. Anne Beach in Gaudeloupe

1. It’s called the French Caribbean for a reason

Learn some French before you hop on that plane! Even if it’s just “oui”, “non”, and “une bière s’il vous plaît” it’ll be worth it. Most people DO NOT speak English, and those that can do not always want to. Brush up on your French, and don’t be afraid to speak it when you’re there! Locals are more apt to help you when you make an effort!

I made the mistake of thinking that Guadeloupe would be the same as France, a place where the locals speak English almost fluently, out of necessity due to tourists. I was wrong. Not only are there few English speaking Guadeloupeans, but the tourism industry is majorly, if not totally Franco-focused. You won’t find any restaurant waiters or roadside shop owners answering questions and negotiating in English. And you can certainly forget about taking tours of rum distilleries, banana plantations, or chocolate museums in English as well. If you don’t speak French and aren’t ok with being in the dark linguistically, try finding a travel buddy who took French in high school!

2. You WILL need to rent a car

…at least on Guadeloupe. The public transportation system exists, but is very unreliable and limited in where it can take you. There are no buses to the volcano trails or printed schedules left in your hotel room. If you decide to rely on public transpo, plan on lots of waiting and lots of walking.

In this same vein, learn how to drive stick-shift! You can rent automatic cars but they typically run anywhere from $10-25 more expensive than their manual alternatives. Europeans just don’t rely on automatic cars like Americans do.
When I first arrived, my pride and my budget made me ask for a manual car, which I hadn’t driven in years (and even then had only a passing experience with). I arrived, could barely get the car out of the parking lot, and had to pull into a high school to practice while students stood around confused, watching me (and probably mocking). But! I am now a stick-shift superstar and let me tell you, those extra euros you save will be enough to put a bunch more punch in your belly.

The cutest little car that kept me company for 6 months. No A/C = No problem

3. People may seem mean, and that’s ok (they’re not, I promise)!

For the most part you can expect restrained civility in place of smiles and friendly small talk. This my friends, is the way of the French, and it seems this trait is magnified in the Caribbean departments. In my experience, I never met anyone in Guadeloupe who was still unkind after a conversation, but if you’re interested in making local connections have patience!

4. ti punch packs a punch (no cocktail umbrella included)

“Ti Punch” (pronounced tee ponsh) comes from the creole word for petit, meaning small, and punch being, well, rum punch. If you order a ti punch you will receive a short glass containing about 2 shots of light rum, sugar, and a lime wedge. This is the quintessential Guadeloupean drink and it takes some getting used to. But! A ti punch is what you’re offered when you stop by someone’s house for a drink, it’s the cheapest thing on the menu most places, and when made properly, can really be a treat if you let it.

If the thought of rum on the rocks makes your stomach turn, try a planteur, which is the more expected punch containing a couple different fruit juices in addition to the rum. Another absolutely fantastic option available at markets and some bars are the homemade punches or liquors, which are bottles of local rum infused with everything from banana, to coconut, to cinnamon. Stop by the market in Gosier on a Friday night and tast a few options before picking up a bottle to bring home. Of course all bars will have beer and classic cocktails, but, When In Rome!

Guadeloupe does not mess around when it comes to rum.

5. Eat a Bokit! (And accras, and colombo, and….)

While we’re on the subject of drink, let’s give you some food to go along with it. The food in the French Caribbean is fantastic and fresh, though with some exceptions I wouldn’t use the word “healthy” to describe the bulk of the offerings. My absolute favorite is the bokit, which is a sandwich made from freshly fried dough sliced open and filled with whatever your heart desires – usually meat and veg. These simple meals are prepared anywhere and everywhere in Guadeloupe, most notably (and conveniently) in food trucks and stands nearby and on the beaches.

If the fried food continues to call your name try some accras- fried dough balls similar to hush puppies, often containing various spices and fish. Or, if you need something more fit for a meal you can’t go wrong with colombo, a traditional chicken dish. Stop by any creole restaurant be be ready to fill up.

6. Skip the museums.

I know I sound like a horrible person, but the museums, at least in Guadeloupe, pale in comparison to the beaches, hiking trails, and architecture found in the cities and towns across the island. There are a few colonial houses turned museums open to the public but beware- the hours are spotty, and may not be accurate as listed online. Also, everything will be in French (see above.) If you’re sunburnt and looking for a beach alternative check out one of the distilleries on the island, the orchards in Bananier, or take a day trip to Marie Galante or Les Saintes. 

If you’re really craving your dose of history and culture, do check out Memorial ACTe, a massive museum dedicated to educating residents and tourists alike about the slave trade and its cultural impacts. It’s extremely well laid out and the exhibits are beautifully moving and informative. If you’re looking for a view of the slave trade from the French Caribbean side of history it’s definitely worth a go on a rainy day. Otherwise, I’d say adventure awaits you outdoors.

7. explore more than one beach

You’ll read online that Sainte Anne is the best beach on the island. While it’s great, MY personal favorite is Plage de la Caravelle. It’s trickier to park and walk to but so worth it. Also at the top of my list are Anse à Jaques (almost a private cove depending on the day), Anse Laborde, and Plage de Saint-Félix. 

This is yet another reason why it’s important that you rent a car. One day you can tan on the black sand beach and swim with the sea turtles at Bouillante and the next have a picnic on a seculded white sand cove, before running back over to Basse Terre for your afternoon surfing lesson at Bananier. There are just too many options to be stuck with the beach closest to your hotel, or the one that you liked your first day there.

Plage de la Caravelle AKA your computer background in 1999

8. use your head when you’re out and about

Lock your car, lock your hotel room/house. If you leave your bag on the beach while you swim keep it in eyesight. Don’t wander around cities at night unless you know where you’re going, and stay away from areas that seem less then great (if they look rundown, they are rundown). Guadeloupe is a fantastic island and very safe but, as in most Caribbean islands, crime is still a concern there.

I’m not saying this to scare you away! I do want to make sure that you understand that because Guadeloupe is less tourist-centric than say the Bahamas, the risk is greater. You won’t be confined to your all-inclusive resort for the entire vacation. Be aware of where you are, who is around you, and be smart with who you interact with and you’ll be set. (Sorry to sound like your overprotective father!)

Guadeloupe is a fantastically beautiful island with a diverse culture and gorgeous beaches. If you take the time to visit make sure you take the time to really visit!

What did you think about your trip to the island? I’d love to know if I missed something, and want to hear your thoughts!