Organize your stay Guadeloupe
Covid-19 : current situation Guadeloupe
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Guadeloupe. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information
Money Guadeloupe
As the Guadeloupe archipelago is located in the French West Indies, you don't need to plan for currency exchange, as the currency used is the Euro.
Each bank has cash dispensers, 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 a purchase, 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-site cheques (from banks in mainland 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's hard to give an idea of the cost of living in Guadeloupe. Public sector employees benefit from a 40% salary increase known as the "prime de vie chère". One might therefore expect the cost of living to be 40% higher in Guadeloupe. However, the difference in cost can be considerable when it comes to food, depending on lifestyle: local produce available at markets in the various communes can make real savings. Expenditure is higher when it comes to buying imported fresh produce from supermarkets or luxury boutiques. The same is true of imported equipment (vehicles, household appliances, furniture, etc.), which are subject to transport costs and various taxes that drive up prices.
The circular economy between private individuals is taking hold, with associations enabling the reuse of clothing, furniture and household appliances at low prices, for more responsible consumption that's more accessible to the underprivileged.
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 the surrounding 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 of the island, 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, which is why dengue epidemics regularly occur in Guadeloupe after periods of 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... A vaccine for dengue fever is currently under study. The only remedies available are paracetamol and vitamin C (especially not aspirin, as one of the 4 forms of dengue fever can be hemorrhagic). As this disease can be fatal in this particular case, it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor in the event of a high fever.
A new university hospital is currently under construction. Scheduled for completion in 2024, it will have a capacity of 618 beds at a cost of 580 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 metropolitan France. Tourists are generally not affected by ordinary violence. However, don't wander into unfamiliar neighborhoods at night, especially in Pointe-à-Pitre and its suburbs (Place de la Victoire, Carénage, Bas-du-Fort...). Nights are also "hot" in this climate! Be careful not to attract the attention of thieves with your gold jewelry, smartphones and other valuables (use your accommodation's safe instead). 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 by the locals; they represent an ideal windfall for cash, cameras, smartphones... for opportunists.
Time difference Guadeloupe
It is 5 hours less in Guadeloupe than in France during winter time and 6 hours less during summer time. In January, when it is 6pm in Paris, it is 1pm in Guadeloupe; in July, when it is 6pm in Paris, it is 12pm in Guadeloupe. This is an important difference that you should keep in mind when you want to make a phone call.
Spoken languages Guadeloupe
The usual language is French, but as you get to know the local population, you'll hear Creole expressions and notice the more or less pronounced accent of certain inhabitants who speak Creole on a daily basis. You'll notice confusion between "tutoiement" and "vouvoiement", masculine and feminine genders... which don't exist in the Creole language.
For decades, Creole was neglected or even forbidden to be used in families, as it was considered pejorative. Today, however, it is recognized as a regional idiom taught in schools. Creole is a truly living language, used throughout the Caribbean (and even on Reunion Island!), albeit with differences from island to island. These variations can even be observed between Guadeloupe Creole and Martinique Creole. Creole is mainly spoken, as its syntax is quite complex.
Creole was born during the colonial period. The term comes from the Spanish criollo or Portuguese crioullo. The slaves, plucked from various parts of Africa, spoke in dialects that were incomprehensible to each other. They thus invented their own language, a true reflection of the history of these islands, with English, Dutch and Portuguese sounds, modified French words and native terms..
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, mosquito repellent cream or lotion, strong sun protection (SPF 30 to 50), a 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 warmer clothes are 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, polo shirts can easily replace shirts for an outing to a gourmet restaurant. Long, loose-fitting clothes are recommended in the evening to protect against mosquitoes. For hiking: walking shoes, light rain jacket, hat or cap, sunglasses, camera and, of course, your favorite tour guide!
