Practical Information for visiting Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe uses the euro and is an outermost region of the European Union, which makes it straightforward for European visitors — same currency, same rules, no customs formalities from mainland France.

Cards and contactless are accepted nearly everywhere. Cash is useful for beach lolos, market stalls, small bakeries and some ferry tickets.

ATMs are widespread in towns and at the airport; they are scarcer on Marie-Galante and Les Saintes, so draw before the ferry.

Prices include tax.

EU roaming applies, so a European mobile plan works at domestic rates — unusual for the Caribbean and worth knowing.

Tipping is not expected; service is included by law.

Coverage for mobile networks is comprehensive across both wings, with 4G everywhere and 5G around Pointe-a-Pitre, from Orange Caraibe, SFR, Digicel and Free.

EU roaming applies here as an outermost region of the European Union, so a European SIM costs nothing extra — a significant saving against the rest of the Caribbean.

Signal weakens in the rainforest valleys of Basse-Terre and on the Soufriere trails; download offline maps before walking.

Wi-Fi is standard and fast in hotels, gites and cafes.

Power is 230 volts with European sockets and is reliable outside storms; hurricanes can take it down for extended periods.

Guadeloupe is generally safe, with French infrastructure and emergency services. Crime is somewhat higher than in Martinique but rarely affects visitors seriously.

• Manchineel trees line some beaches and are toxic in every part — the sap blisters skin and sheltering under one in rain will burn you. They are marked with a red band. Do not touch, and do not eat the fruit.
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• The Atlantic coast has dangerous currents; swim on the Caribbean side or at supervised beaches. Pointe des Chateaux is spectacular and not for swimming.
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• La Soufriere is active and monitored; heed closures and alert levels, and note that the trail is slippery and often in cloud.
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• Hurricanes from June to November.
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• Theft from hire cars at beaches and trailheads is the most common crime; leave nothing in the vehicle at all.
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• Flash floods in the rainforest ravines after heavy rain; do not linger in a river gorge in the wet.

Healthcare is French and good. The university hospital serves Pointe-a-Pitre, and pharmacies are widespread. EU and EEA visitors are covered by the European Health Insurance Card exactly as in mainland France; others should carry insurance.

Vaccinations: routine cover. There is no malaria.

Dengue, chikungunya and Zika all circulate with periodic outbreaks, carried by a day-biting mosquito — use repellent through the day.

Chlordecone contamination affects some soils and inshore waters; commercial produce and fish are monitored and safe, but do not gather shellfish or fish yourself in restricted zones.

Leptospirosis is a real local risk from freshwater rivers and pools after heavy rain; avoid swimming in rivers with open cuts.

Tap water is safe and of French standard, though supply interruptions occur on Basse-Terre.

Sun is strong year round.

Greet before anything else. Bonjour on entering a shop, a bakery or a waiting room, and bonsoir after dark. Going straight to a question reads as rude and this is taken seriously.

Dress neatly away from the beach; swimwear stays at the sand. Topless sunbathing is accepted on some beaches.

French law applies in full, including on drugs, where penalties are serious.

Meal times are French — lunch from around midday, dinner from seven-thirty — and many restaurants close in between and on Sundays or Mondays.

At a lewoz or gwoka gathering, watch before joining, do not photograph without asking, and follow the lead of the people there.

Ti’ punch is mixed by the drinker; the bottle is put out and you serve yourself.

Photography: ask before photographing people.

Emergency numbers: 112 as the European line, with 15 for medical, 17 for police and 18 for fire. Operators speak French; English is not assured.

Medical. The CHU de la Guadeloupe serves the island to French standards. Carry your EHIC or insurance details. Pharmacies post a duty rota for out of hours.

Hurricane alerts come from Meteo France on a colour-coded scale. Alerte rouge means stay indoors and it is enforced; violette means absolute confinement. Follow the level rather than your own reading of the sky.

La Soufriere is monitored by the volcanological observatory, which sets the access level for the summit.

On the ferries and at sea, the regional rescue centre coordinates; VHF channel 16.

Consular matters go through the French authorities.