Basse-Terre
Basse-Terre is Guadeloupe's mountainous western island, where rainforest trails, waterfalls and the active La Soufrière volcano shape most days.
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Basse-Terre is the western island of Guadeloupe, a French overseas region in the Lesser Antilles, and it also gives its name to the town that serves as the regional capital. The town is small, so most of a visit takes place across the island. The island is volcanic. La Soufrière, an active volcano, is its highest point, and Guadeloupe National Park covers much of the interior with rainforest, rivers and waterfalls.
Visitors come for hiking, waterfalls and the volcano, and for the reef at the Pigeon Islands marine reserve off Bouillante on the west coast. The island suits travelers who are comfortable driving, since public transport is limited. The drier months, roughly December to May, suit hiking best, while hurricane season runs from June to November. Plan at least three days to cover the volcano, the main waterfalls and the coast.
Basse-Terre in five
- Rent a car at Pointe-à-Pitre airportPointe-à-Pitre airport (PTP) is on Grande-Terre, and Basse-Terre is reached over the Rivière Salée bridge. Public transport across the island is limited, so many visitors drive.Getting around
- Check the Soufrière trail before you walkLa Soufrière is an active volcano. Check the park's current notices on the day you plan to hike, since volcanic activity can close the summit route.
- Carry small euro notesGuadeloupe uses the euro. Carry small notes and coins for markets, roadside stalls and small boat operators, where cards may not be accepted.Money and costs
- Set up an eSIM that covers GuadeloupeMobile coverage can be patchy on mountain roads, so download offline maps before you drive. Choose a data plan that covers Guadeloupe, not only mainland France.Phones and eSIM
- Book a Pigeon Islands boat from BouillanteBoats to the Pigeon Islands marine reserve leave from Bouillante on the west coast. Ask the operator whether snorkel gear is included or whether you should bring your own mask.
Things to do in Basse-Terre
See all attractions in Basse-Terre
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Passport needed; Guadeloupe is outside Schengen, so check France-Visas Read more
- Emergency
- 112 general; 17 police, 15 ambulance, 18 fire
- Tipping
- Service included by law; leaving a few euros is the usual custom
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry season
- FebruaryDry season
- MarchDry season
- AprilDry season
- MayDry season ends
- JuneHurricane season begins
- JulyHurricane season
- AugustPeak hurricane risk
- SeptemberPeak hurricane risk
- OctoberHurricane season
- NovemberHurricane season ends
- DecemberDry season begins
Right now in Basse-Terre
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 32°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 90%
Basse-Terre
04:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°24°90%Monday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Tue28°23°39%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Wed28°23°51%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Thu28°23°52%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Fri28°22°73%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sat27°22°66%Saturday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 66%.
- Sun28°23°77%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 77%.
Updated 04:19 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- BouillanteAccess to the Pigeon Islands marine reserve and its reef.
- Saint-ClaudeStarting point for the Soufrière walk, with the Carbet Falls nearby.
- Grande-TerreBeaches and Pointe-à-Pitre, reached over the Rivière Salée bridge.Read the guide
Before you go to Basse-Terre
Rules for Basse-Terre, checked
- Guadeloupe is outside Schengen, so check entry rules for your passport on France-Visas before you book.Source
- Carry your passport. EU citizens may travel with a national identity card instead.
- Stay on marked trails in the national park and follow park notices, since volcanic activity can close the summit route.
- Declare fresh fruit, plants and meat at customs. French biosecurity rules apply in Guadeloupe, so check before you pack.Source
- Service is included in restaurant bills by law, so tipping is optional. Leaving a few euros is the usual custom.
Plan around Basse-Terre
Car hire, the Rivière Salée bridge and mountain roads
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for Guadeloupe, which sits outside Schengen
Read the guideMoney and costsEuro prices, and cash for small stalls and boat operators
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile data for mountain roads and offline maps
Read the guideWhere to stayBases on the Basse-Terre coast and in the hills
Read the guideAll of GuadeloupeGrande-Terre, the airport and the island's other half
Read the guideBasse-Terre FAQ
Is Basse-Terre worth visiting?
Yes, if you want hiking, waterfalls and the Pigeon Islands reserve off Bouillante. It is the mountainous half of Guadeloupe, with the La Soufrière volcano. If you want beaches, Grande-Terre suits you better.
How many days do you need in Basse-Terre?
Three days cover the Soufrière area, the waterfalls and a boat trip to the Pigeon Islands. A shorter stay works if you only plan the volcano and the coast.
Can you visit Basse-Terre as a day trip from Pointe-à-Pitre?
Yes, but Basse-Terre is across the Rivière Salée bridge, so a day trip works best for one main activity. Start early if you want the Soufrière trailhead and the coast in the same day.
Is the Soufrière volcano trail open?
It depends on the volcano's activity and the park's notices, so check the Parc national de la Guadeloupe before you go. Volcanic activity can close the summit route.
Do you need French to visit Basse-Terre?
French is the official language. A few French phrases help in small shops and at roadside stalls.
When is hurricane season in Guadeloupe?
The season runs from June to November, with the highest risk from August to October. Check the Météo-France Antilles forecast before you book flights and rooms.