If you’re planning your stay in Guadeloupe, you’re probably wondering this:
- How do you choose between Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre?
- How can you be sure you’re going to the part of the island that suits you best?
Before choosing where to stay in Guadeloupe, imagine the experience you’d like to have. Do you need to recharge your batteries? Take part in a wide range of sporting activities? Go out in the evening?
To help you decide whether Grande-Terre or Basse-Terre is right for you, we’ve put together this guide. In just a few minutes, you’ll know which way to turn.
A few words about Grande-Terre
If you’re looking for idyllic beaches, you’ll love the postcard-perfect setting of Grande-Terre. Imagine fanning your toes on the fine sand. Plunge into water at just the right temperature to cool off in a crystal-clear turquoise lagoon. Everything you need to recharge your batteries.
It’s not for nothing that Club Med and Pierre&Vacances can be found in this part of the island, considered more seaside and touristy.
But you’ll find that Grande-Terre, nicknamed the “Little Britain of the West Indies”, has plenty of surprises in store for you.
Not-to-be-missed sites in Grande-Terre
The seaside resort par excellence: Saint François
Saint François is one of the island’s most developed tourist centers. The town boasts luxury tourist facilities, an 18-hole golf course and a marina.
Here you’ll find beaches as beautiful as each other, such as Plage des Raisins Clairs. Here you can swim in complete safety, as the beautiful blue waters are protected by the crescent-shaped coral reef just offshore.
Pointe-à-Pitre
You can’t come to Grande-Terre without visiting Point-à-Pitre. It’s a city full of history, art and colonial style. Lose yourself in the town’s narrow streets and you’ll come across the Musée Saint-John Perse, then the church of Saint-Pierre et St Paul. Don’t miss the Place de la Victoire and the spice market.
Sainte-Anne
Sainte-Anne, in the south of the island, also offers breathtaking beaches that invite you to relax. That said, if you’re a thrill-seeker, you can enjoy surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Don’t miss Caravelle beach, one of Guadeloupe’s most famous beaches. You can explore the underwater world and coral sea by snorkelling. Then relax in the shade of the palm trees on the white sand.
Le Gosier: enjoy the nightlife in Guadeloupe
Do you like to party or simply enjoy a West Indian rum while listening to live music? In Grande-Terre, nothing could be easier than a trip to Gosier.
90% of the nightclubs are in Gosier, as are most of the hotel clubs on Grande-Terre. The most popular nightclubs are Olympia, DB9 and Zoo Rock Café.
Basse-Terre: outdoor activities in an exceptional natural setting
Basse-Terre is less touristy than Grande-Terre, and is better known for the Cascade aux Écrevisses, the second chute du Carbet and the Soufrière.
This part of the island is less built-up, and the large hotel complexes are few and far between, giving way to houses in a more local style that is just as charming and exotic.
And it’s true that a change of scenery is what characterizes Basse-Terre, with its mountain landscapes and lush natural surroundings that give it a generous jungle feel, with giant leaves, hot springs and waterfalls where you can bathe on your own.
Not-to-be-missed sites in Basse-Terre
The Cousteau reserve: a marvellous seabed
On the Caribbean coast, starting from Plage de Malendure in the commune of Bouillante, discover the Cousteau reserve.
It boasts a magical underwater world, where you can observe angelfish, parrotfish, lionfish, sharks, octopus and turtles from kayaks, snorkelling, snorkelling and snorkelling.
The site takes its name from Captain Cousteau, who visited it and declared that it should be protected. It is a marine nature reserve, part of the Guadeloupe National Park.
The second Chute du Carbet: a tropical paradise
There are actually 3 Chutes du Carbet, but the second is the most popular. It is 110 meters high. It’s also the most accessible waterfall, with its wide, well-maintained paths. Allow 45 minutes for the round trip from the parking lot.
If you want to spend a day away from the beaches and see Guadeloupe in a different light, this series of waterfalls on the inner slopes of the Soufrière volcano will provide you with an unforgettable hike.
The charm of Guadeloupe’s Creole villages
Along the coast and inland from Basse-Terre, discover tropical villages where time seems to stand still.
- Vieux-Fort: a creole village at the end of the world. In fact, it’s located on the west coast, in the extreme south, opposite the Saintes archipelago. . Amazingly, this is where you’ll find the oldest bell tower on the whole island. The landscape is magical, with lush green hillsides. Don’t forget to visit the village lighthouse or the port to admire the windsurfers who ride the winds so well.
- Capesterre Belle-Eau: located on the southeast coast, this is the perfect place to visit banana farms. Drive along L’Allée Dumanoir, a magnificent road lined with royal palms, planted in the 19ᵉ century.
Grande-Terre or Basse-Terre: Guadeloupe, an island with two faces
As you can see, whether it’s Grande-Terre or Basse-Terre, each part of the island is packed with magnificent scenery. If you’re staying for a week, it’s best to explore just one part of the island. On the other hand, if your stay is longer, why not take full advantage of all the island has to offer?
So where to stay in Guadeloupe?
- If you’re a fan of calm, serenity, hiking, diving (with the Cousteau reserve, for example), large forests and waterfalls – in short, green nature in general – choose Basse-Terre.
- If you’re a fan of nightlife, lounging, sunbathing, restaurants, shopping or beautiful white sand beaches, choose Grande-Terre.
Our villas in Basse-Terre :
Our villas in Grande-Terre :
