Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is a French overseas region in the Caribbean where Grande-Terre's white-sand beaches sit beside Basse-Terre's mountains, waterfalls and the active volcano La Grande Soufrière.
Guadeloupe is an overseas department and region of France in the Lesser Antilles, made up of several islands, islets and rocks. The two main islands, Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, look like a butterfly on the map. Grande-Terre is mostly flat, with white sand beaches sheltered by coral reefs along its southern shore. Basse-Terre is mountainous and volcanic. It has about 100 waterfalls and La Grande Soufrière, an active volcano that is the highest point in the Lesser Antilles at 1,467 metres.
Guadeloupe is part of France and the European Union and uses the euro, but it is outside the Schengen Area. French is the official language, and most people also speak Guadeloupean Creole. Local cooking mixes African, European and Asian influences, with colombo, a curry, and blaff, a fish dish. The dry season, called Lent, runs from January to June. The islands sit in the Atlantic hurricane path, and Irma and Maria both hit in 2017. Give each main island its own days, since Grande-Terre's beaches and Basse-Terre's mountains are very different.
Five things to know before Guadeloupe
- Check entry: French rules for overseas territories
UK and Canadian passports can visit Guadeloupe without a visa for up to 90 days, with a passport valid 3 months past departure. Check other passports on the official France-visas site. Visas and entry
- Pick the wing that suits your trip
Grande-Terre has the calm beaches and most resorts around Sainte-Anne and Saint-François. Basse-Terre has the national park, waterfalls and hikes, with fewer beaches.
- Climb La Soufrière early
The volcano's summit is often in cloud by late morning and the trail is wet and slippery. Start early, carry a layer and check that the trail is open.
- Take the ferry to Les Saintes or Marie-Galante
Ferries link the main island with Terre-de-Haut in Les Saintes and with Marie-Galante. A day trip works, but a night lets you see them after the day boats leave.
- Book around hurricane season
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with most storms from August to October. Buy insurance when you book and check how it handles storm cancellations. Travel insurance
Guadeloupe travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
French entry rules for overseas territories, and who needs a visa.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical, evacuation and storm cover to check for Guadeloupe.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData plans, roaming charges and coverage between islands.
Read the guideMoney and costsEuros, card payments and costs compared with mainland France.
Read the guideGetting aroundRental cars, ferries to Les Saintes and flights from Paris.
Read the guide
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Dry, peak seasonJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, peak season
- FebruaryRain15 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Dry, breezyFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Dry, sunnyMarchRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- AprilRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Dry, quieterAprilRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, quieter
- MayRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Warm, quietMayRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hot, showersJulyRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hurricane riskAugustRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 165 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane risk
- SeptemberRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hurricane peakSeptemberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 212 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane peak
- OctoberRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Storm risk, rainOctoberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 176 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk, rain
- NovemberRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Season endsNovemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 163 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Season ends
- DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Busy holidaysDecemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busy holidays
Average daily high and low in Pointe-à-Pitre, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Guadeloupe
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 86%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 75%
Guadeloupe
03:52 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°25°75%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Wed30°24°29%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Thu30°24°29%Thursday: Fog. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Fri30°23°51%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Sat31°24°71%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Sun31°24°75%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 75%.
Updated 01:42 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Guadeloupe FAQ
Do mainland Schengen rules apply in Guadeloupe?
The UK government calls Guadeloupe an overseas department of France and part of the EU. Do not assume mainland rules apply: UK and Canadian passports can visit for up to 90 days, and others should check France-visas.
What currency is used in Guadeloupe?
The euro. Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for markets and small snack bars.
When is hurricane season in Guadeloupe?
June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October. December to April is drier and calmer, and prices are highest then; May and June are a good compromise.
Do people speak English in Guadeloupe?
French and Guadeloupean Creole are the main languages. Hotel staff often speak some English, but a few French phrases help in shops, markets and restaurants.
Do I need a car in Guadeloupe?
Yes, for most trips. Buses exist but are infrequent outside the main towns, and the best beaches and trailheads are spread out.