The most beautiful natural sites to discover Caraïbes

It is accessible by car via a tarred road (follow the signs, 7 km outside the village) and visited by the whole lot of travel agencies and resorts in the area, and even by a few crooks attracted by the tourist windfall (be careful!). As you can see, with its miles of sand and its transparent water, it is far too beautiful to have it all to yourself. At the end, a small river allows a refreshing swim. And then, take a break in the local restaurants offering seafood and lobsters!

Located 5 km west of the four hotels that follow each other along the northern beaches of the cayo. A bar dominates the entrance to this large deserted beach of fine sand. But once past the bar, it's guaranteed tranquility! This magnificent beach with crystalline waters has the advantage of being protected from the wind but is especially far from any construction, once past the bar. A real lost paradise. A favorite ! After the passage of Irma, the authorities have added sand on the beach to give it back its former splendor and it's a success!

This wonderful beach the eyes of everyone and his memory never fades. At the bottom of the cove of Labadie, there are few tourists who think of venturing to its beach. It must be said that from the sea it is impossible to guess that paradise is so close. At the bottom of a beautiful hill with virgin vegetation, descends a source of fresh water that flows into the ocean. The white sandy beach is often deserted. Fresh water has allowed the corals to remain intact for the greatest pleasure of the eyes that do not need mask to admire the beauty of creation. Three colours clearly draw, the first deep water is pure purple is the kingdom of corals, the second violet blue is the domain of underwater herbs, the third is this color which makes boats fly in the transparency of a water that seems to have forgotten. Before venturing into the sea, the source offers a pool where it is good to bathe, the sensation of feeling at the top of its body cold and soft water, and downstairs hot and salty water, is quite remarkable.

A postcard beach, protected by the National Marine Park, whose history dates back to 1906 when Dr. Alexander McCatty donated his seaside property to the city of Montego Bay. The cave that owes its name to him was destroyed by a cyclone in 1932. It is so enclosed between the hotels that you can't see it before entering! In addition to the white sand, the turquoise sea lined with palm trees, there are bars and restaurants, toilets, deckchairs, umbrellas, etc.

The famous Jamaican rafting trip - actually a bamboo raft ride - is a classic of Jamaican culture that we recommend you do here if you are in Montego Bay. A magical cruise on the Great River awaits you. Sometimes smooth like a lake, sometimes bubbling, it is a fascinating translucent emerald green color. The environment is magnificent and the jungle is discovered in all its beauty. The descent of the Great River is managed here by Chukka Mountain Valley Rafting, but independent captains propose better prices as soon as you arrive on the spot (we can negotiate but know that the work is hard). We are enchanted by the decoration of the rafts, very long and stretched on nearly 9 meters, equipped with a super comfortable double bench and decorated with palms and fresh flowers. During the descent, we are accompanied by the singing birds, the gurgling of the river, and the reggae - always - pulsated by his raft and other rafts crossed on the road (which sell beers, rum...). The local guides are super relaxed and good vibes and are inexhaustible about their forest. The atmosphere is very authentic, especially on weekends, when groups of friends come to bask in this river that forms natural bubbling baths. The must - included in the price - is the "limo on the river", a relaxing foot and leg massage with "limestone", a clay-like limestone.

At the end of Cayo Guillermo, there is a superb beach with ultra fine sand and crystal clear waters. The setting is wild and sublime. It is certainly the most beautiful beach of Cuba, and the favorite of Hemingway, great connoisseur of Cuba. Being very exposed to gusts of wind, we do not recommend visiting the beach on days of high winds. Head for Playa Flamenco, on Cayo Coco: sheltered from the wind, it is the ideal beach to spend the day in these cases and it is almost as beautiful as Playa Pilar! A certain idea of paradise.

This huge open-air cave, which is reached by a 350-step stone stairway, is filled with stalactites, stalagmites and bats. There are also three ponds (hence the name), the first, El Ojo de Azufre, filled with sulphurous water, the second, El Ojo de las Damas, with salt water, and the third, El Ojo de la Cañuela, with fresh water. The works of development of the site were carried out by order of Trujillo. A ferryman will take you to the last of the ponds by means of a makeshift ferry, for the modest sum of 25 pesos.

A cable car, inaugurated in 1975, makes it easy to climb this high hill - the Loma Isabel de Torres, a national park - which stands like a sentinel above Puerto Plata. Trujillo decided to build a fortress here because of its height (the hill rises to just under 900 metres above sea level) and the panoramic views it affords. By posting sentries here, the town was protected, or at least able to retaliate if attacked from the sea. In fact, although the summit (where you'll find a cafeteria) is often trapped in the clouds, today the mirador has become a tourist attraction in its own right: the panorama over the city and the entire bay is breathtaking! The statue of Christ the Redeemer, more modest than its counterpart on the Sugar Loaf in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, sits enthroned above the dome of this fortress, watching over the city. The other attraction of Loma Isabel de Torres is its botanical garden. Engineer Benjamín Paewonsky is responsible for this complete creation, which dates back to 1973. You can follow paths lined with no fewer than 600 local plant species (594 trees and flowers to be exact), while discovering the reconstruction of a traditional Taino habitat. A recommended visit, and a great way to cool down when the heat in the heart of the city becomes stifling.

After walking along narrow paths through the rainforest, crossing several rivers (be sure to take a dip!), climbing many steep inclines, you will be rewarded by the discovery of a natural pool into which a 50 m high waterfall flows, surrounded by deep caves. The water is pure and fresh and the panorama sublime. A well-deserved swim, after the efforts of the climb, is divine. You can also rent horses in the ranches located along the road (it climbs!). To leave well shod.

The Guadeloupe Zoo is located in the heart of the Basse-Terre massif on the Route de la Traversée. These 4 hectares of tropical forest are dedicated to the conservation of rare or endangered animal species. More than 85 endemic animal species from the West Indies and elsewhere, some 450 individuals, are housed here. You can observe local animals such as racoons, iguanas, bats and dynastes, as well as species from French Guiana's wild fauna (monkeys, jaguars, ocelots, caimans, alligator turtles, anacondas, pumas and toucans). There's always something new at the zoo! Yes, a group of Madagascar lemurs, a female jaguar and a duo of emperor tamarins have recently joined the Guadeloupe zoo family! To complete this discovery of the rich local biodiversity, the zoo offers its visitors a walk in the Canopy included in the price of the visit! This safe, tree-top walk over suspension bridges is as unique as it is unforgettable!

Every day at 12 noon and 3.30 p.m., there are activities to share the passion of our caretakers. These are truly privileged moments between visitor and groomer, as they help visitors understand the role of the Zoo de Guadeloupe and highlight the Zoo's actions to protect Guadeloupe's wildlife.

The walk is accessible to all, whatever the weather, and offers a real immersion into the heart of Guadeloupean nature.

This beautiful valley, classified by Unesco, boasts a unique landscape and exceptional colors. It is not necessary to go very far from the village to be totally disoriented. A few hundred meters are enough to find yourself in the middle of the fields with red earth, near the tobacco crops with the mogotes - karstic reliefs inherited from the Jurassic period - emerging on the horizon. On your way, on foot, by bike, or on horseback, the peasants(guajiros) you meet will often be delighted to share the fruits of their crops!

The trip through the Gri Gri lagoon takes about an hour. The boat glides slowly through a network of shallow channels in the middle of a dense mangrove forest. The scenery is magical and breathtakingly beautiful. We advise you to make this excursion early in the morning, as this is the time when the birds are present. After the visit to the Swallow Cave, you will swim in the clear waters of Caletón Beach. A pleasant outing alternating between physical effort, admiration and relaxation.

A few facts and figures. Altitude at summit: 1,467 m. Family: Pelean-type stratovolcano (explosive). Character: slowly increasing activity since 1992. Last eruption: 1976 (minor phreatic eruption). Last magmatic eruption: 1530 (formation of the dome). Observation network: nearly 200 measurement sites, including some sixty equipped with autonomous stations (with batteries and solar panels) telemetered by radio transmission to the Observatory.

Description of the hike. Hiking time: 4 hours, rated easy. Elevation gain: 500 m. Guadeloupe boasts over 300 km of hiking trails (called Traces in Guadeloupe), but the climb to La Soufrière is one of the must-do's: visiting an active volcano is something you can't do every day, so you might as well make the most of the opportunity.

The hike begins at the Pas du Roy, a section paved (in part) by the army in the late ^19th century, and takes 40 minutes to reach the Savane-à-Mulets. This fairly steep section leads to the old parking lot (built before the 2004 earthquake) through a humid forest dominated by marbri, better known as bois-bandé. With luck, the view of Les Saintes and the surrounding mountains is already splendid. The hike then continues along a small path at the top of the parking lot, near an interpretation panel. A few metres further on, in a small niche carved into the top of a huge boulder, the statuette of Notre-Dame de Guadeloupe is protected from thieves by a wrought-iron grille. It is not uncommon to see candles and flowers placed as offerings at the foot of the rock. There are flowers all along the way, too: you won't want to miss the mountain thyme with its pretty purple blossoms, or the mountain fuchsia with its pink flowers. Higher up, you'll come across the mountain yellow pineapple, which forms impressive, dense clumps at ground level, and the superb "Christmas tree", which is in fact a primitive fern. After a little more effort, you'll come to a magnificent site: the Faujas rockfall. This is a fault created by a phreatic eruption in 1798. The vegetation here is remarkable, with beautiful vegetated walls that seem to disappear into the sky. A further 15 minutes' walk takes you to the northern fault and the last steep incline before the final ascent, which takes a further 20 minutes. A few meters before the summit, you'll pass by a concrete shelter, useful in case of sudden weather deterioration. If you're lucky, the view from the summit is breathtaking, taking in the whole of Guadeloupe and the neighbouring islands. Before starting the descent, you'll pass through the Porte d'enfer and the Tarissan chasm: 70 m deep, this is the largest active chasm on the summit. It contains a boiling lake of hydrochloric acid!

Once back at the starting point, don't hesitate to take advantage of the yellow baths: the water here averages over 30°C! However, beware of amoebae (micro-organisms that can be pathogenic): don't dive head first into the water.

Respect nature: the entire circuit is located in the heart of the Guadeloupe National Park. If you want everyone to be able to enjoy this exceptional place, please respect the prohibitions: don't go off the trail, respect the signs, don't take shortcuts around bends (they damage the vegetation and lead to landslides), don't pick up anything and don't leave anything behind, not even a banana peel! There are no garbage cans on the trail or even in the parking lot, so take all your garbage with you.

Warning: between 2014 and 2019, new areas of fumaroles appeared at the summit, necessitating an order from the Prefect of Guadeloupe to extend the safety perimeter at the summit of La Soufrière in order to prevent and reduce risks to hikers. Signs have been put up by the National Park: please respect them for your own safety!

To approach the chasms of the "Vieille Dame" dome, you will need to wear a personal respiratory protection device (gas mask) and be accompanied by a qualified guide.

For up-to-the-minute information on the trail: www.guadeloupe-parcnational.fr (Randonner section). The randoguadeloupe.gp website is also very useful. It offers detailed hiking itineraries (difficulty level, itinerary to follow, dynamic cartography, GPS tracks and 3D navigation) and is regularly updated by Park staff, particularly on trail practicability.

Tips for a safe hike: Choose a hike suited to your level of fitness and physical ability. The level of the trails (called traces in Guadeloupe) is indicated, as well as their duration. Find out about the condition of the trails and the weather forecast for the day (rainfall can cause rivers to rise sharply). Always inform a third party of your chosen itinerary, and stick to it. Don't set off after 3pm, as night falls at 6pm at the latest in the tropics. Equip yourself with walking shoes, water, food (dried fruit, energy bars...), a telephone, rain gear...

The highest point on the island at 1,397 m, Mount Pelée is now a Unesco World Heritage Site, and inspires respect among the island's inhabitants, who still remember the tragedy of May 8, 1902.

There are four different routes to the summit, each different in length and difficulty. Before setting off, find out if the path you want to take is open, and always take water, a hat and sun cream, good walking shoes and food with you. The weather at the summit is fickle and rarely predictable, and can turn a sunny hike into a storm.

2 circuits from Morne-Rouge. The Aileron trail. 2h30 return. Medium level. Starts from the parking lot of the Refuge de l'Aileron bar.

The caldera. 6h return. Difficult level. Steep path joining the Palmistes plateau and overlooking the explosion crater. Cross three refuges before descending on the Aileron trail.

From Grande Rivière. 5 hours 30 minutes return. Difficult level. Start at the corner of the Beauséjour farm road and the D10. Cross the banana plantations, take the forest track for 1 km, continue on a steep slope up the north side of the crater (Morne Macouba).

From Le Prêcheur. 3h return. Moderate level. From the D10 at the entrance to the town, follow signs for La Charmeuse, continue for 5 km to the Grande Savane parking lot. Perhaps the most beautiful of the ascent trails. First you cross cultivated land, then steep, rocky paths.

Rather wild and quiet, the beach is really beautiful, but beware of mosquitoes. The access to this paradisiacal and almost deserted area is to be deserved, but the game is worth the candle (we will leave our car about 300 meters before arriving at the beach). The colors are magnificent, between the intense blue of the sea, the golden of the fine sand, the green of the coconut trees which border the beach... There is no restaurant, except for a few young people who sell piña colada. It is better to bring a picnic.