Between the calm turquoise Caribbean Sea and the fierce and powerful Atlantic Ocean lies a beautiful, butterfly shaped group of islands called Guadeloupe. A tropical paradise that flies the French Flag, Guadeloupe is a beautiful destination for North American travelers seeking warm weather options for winter vacations.
The Geography…
Guadeloupe is made up of multiple islands, with the two largest, Basse-Terre and Grand Terre, coming together like the wings of a butterfly. Each of the main island represent a different energy and host of experiences for locals and travelers alike.
Basse-Terre Island is home to the Parc National de la Guadeloupe, known for its natural wonders like les Carbet Falls and the volcano La Grande Soufrière. Grande-Terre Island has rolling hills, long beaches and sugarcane fields, and is dotted with towns and cities bustling with music, art and incredible cuisine.
Beyond the butterfly wings, the other islands that make up Guadeloupe include Marie-Galante, La Désirade, and two Îles des Saintes, as well as multiple smaller, uninhabited islands.
Language and Culture…
The 2 main languages spoken in Guadeloupe are French, the official language and Guadeloupean Creole known as “Kréyòl Gwadloup“. French is spoken by 84% of the population, and many people, especially in the touristic areas, speak English.
A cornucopia of people and cultures come together to make Guadeloupe as diverse and eclectic as it is warm and welcoming. Guadeloupe was originally populated by Indigenous peoples of the Americas going as far back as 3000 BC, beginning with the Arawak, who were later displaced by the Kalina-Carib peoples. Various European countries attempted colonization of the resource-rich islands, beginning with the Spanish lead by Christopher Columbus, who gave Guadeloupe her name in 1493. The French came next, and brought with them the plantation economy, fueled by slavery beginning in the late 17th century. Over the following years England, France and even Sweden would attempt to control Guadeloupe and its lush resources, even abolishing and reinstating slavery twice before the French abolished it permanently in 1848. People from Asia and India were brought to the island to expand the labour force, bringing their own cultures and flavours to the expanding islands. And of course French and other European expats have taken up residence in Guadeloupe, especially thanks to its status as a Department of France and part of the European Union.
Thanks to its rich history and ever developing culture, Guadeloupe has a beautifully multicultural population that’s bursting with pride, making it an engaging and exciting place to visit.
The Weather…
The differences in topography between Grand and Basse Terre Islands contribute to what feels like vastly different types of weather on the 2 islands. The lush and humid rainforests and waterfalls on Basse-terre create a humid environment, with beachier Grand Terre feeling hotter and drier. While we did experience rain more than a few times over the week of our visit, the wet conditions would pass quickly and the sunshine would return. Like many Carribean nations, Guadeloupe is affected by seasonal storms and even hurricanes. June to November is hurricane season, with a peak between August and September according to Guadeloupe’s website.
Temperatures during my early winter visit were around 25-30 degrees Celsius during the days, with temperatures dropping to the high teens and low twenties. It made for an incredibly warm and comfortable time even with the humidity, and a welcome change for the cold Canadian winter I left behind, and returned to all too soon.
Getting there and getting around…
Multiple airlines offer direct flights to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadaloupe’s International airport, giving travellers the ability to reach Pointe-à-Pitre from Toronto, Montreal, or Quebec City in roughly five hours
For the past 50 years, Air Canada has operated a direct flight from Montreal to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, with four to six weekly flights operating year-round. Air Canada has also added a new nonstop weekly flight from Toronto to Pointe-à-Pitre, operating every Saturday through April 11, 2026. The new service will give travellers direct access to Guadeloupe Islands from Toronto in approximately five hours.
Air Transat will further expand access to Guadeloupe Islands with a new nonstop route from Quebec City, launching on February 18, 2026. This service will operate once weekly, every Saturday. In addition, Air Transat’s Montreal–Pointe-à-Pitre route will become year-round beginning in summer 2026, operating twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
On Guadeloupe, car rentals are available for those looking to drive themselves on their own adventures. While rideshare apps like Uber do not operate in Guadeloupe there are taxis and drivers for hire. It only takes a few hours to traverse the 2 main islands of the country by car, making it possible to see so much of what Guadeloupe has to offer even on the first visit.
Stay at….
Depending on how you like to travel, be it in the lap of luxury or off the beaten path, the more adventurous Basse Terre, or the more cosmopolitan Grand Terre may suit your stay needs. My style trended towards Grand Terre, so here are a few options from comfort to luxury on the west wing of Guadeloupe:
Créole Beach Hôtel
La Creole Beach Hôtel & Spa is located on the seaside of Grand-Terre, and set in a magnificent tropical park surrounded by palm trees, lillies and hibiscus. Amenities abound at La Creole Beach; the hotel offers multiple restaurants, a spa, pool, sports facilities and more. The ambiance felt very relaxing, a great way to recharge in between exploring some of the areas landmarks like Guadeloupe National Park.
La Toubana Hôtel & Spa 5*
La Toubana is nestled at the entrance to the charming fishing village of Sainte-Anne with easy access to the golden beaches of Grand Terre. This boutique hotel emanates quiet luxury, and its crown jewel is the breathtaking panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea from its infinity pool.
Les Voiles Bleues – A private Villa Experience
There’s nothing like coming home after a day of hiking waterfalls, wandering beaches and taking tuktuk tours, and getting into your very own infinity pool to cool off and unwind. That’s the kind of experience Les Voiles Bleues has to offer. This collection of luxurious, modular villas are located in Saint-François on Grand Terre. Comfort and flexibility are the calling cards of these properties, allowing visitors to personalize their stay. Everything is customizable, from the number of rooms for your party, to upscale amenities like private chefs for every meal, and expert concierge service to organize outings and experiences to make the most your time in Guadeloupe.
Eat at…
Guadeloupian cuisine is a decadent and delicious mix of African, Indian, Indigenous and French flavours, elements and traditions. From rich sauces and curries like Colombo chicken, to an abundance of seafood cooked in a myriad of ways, and French cheeses and pastries galore, when it comes to food Guadeloupe, every taste and craving can be accommodated.
Le Grand Bleu
If your tastes run the more decadent, have a meal at la Toubana’s poolside restaurant Le Grand Bleu. Seafood was the star of this menu, made more delicious by the sweeping view of the Caribbean Sea. Add farm to table ingredients, all the flavours of Guadeloupe come together in an elevated dining experience.
The 619 in Saint-François had the chill vibes of a surfer café in San Diego, the sophistication of a Spanish tapas bar run by a French sommelier, and something else entirely that was just quintessentially Guadeloupe. Sharing was the way to enjoy this dining experience, with family style tapas and platters and bottles of wine, punctuated by Ti-Paunch and Planteur cocktails, making for a more than memorable meal.
Adventure at….
For those looking to roam off the beaten path, Guadeloupe has many options to offer.
Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin
For water lovers, a boat ride in Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin is a meandering journey through the Mangroves that hold up the vegetation structure that makes up much of the Guadeloupe coastline. With options to stop and snorkel, sip on cocktails and socialize on or off the boat, it’s a refreshing way to spend a day.
Guadeloupe will make you work to take in the best views the islands have to offer, but no matter the object of the journey, it will be worth it. The Pointe des Châteaux is a low grade hike up a rocky peninsula extending into the Atlantic Ocean, with a tall cross jutting out from its peak and catching eyes from across the coast.
Les Chute de Carbet
The Carbet Waterfalls are a magnificent sight to see while on Basse terre. The name actually refers to 3 different waterfalls along the Carbet river, and depending on your skill and stamina levels, can be reached by hikes of varying difficulty. The hikes are through a rainforest and conditions are incredibly slippery so it’s important to pack appropriate footwear for the trek, take time and care on the journey and bask in the beauty of the destination.
Les Saintes (Terre de Haut Island)
South of the butterly lies a beautiful archipelago of islets called “Les Saintes”. Featuring historical sites like Fort Napoleon, beautiful beaches and twinkling water, restaurants and shopping districts, Les Saintes makes for a great day trip, or even a home base if you can snag one of the limited and coveted accommodations on the 2 inhabited islands in the group.
Take in the culture at…
Le Kreol Art Gallery
The Kreol Art Gallery is a hidden art oasis just steps from the beach in Saint Francois. The space is split in 2; half art gallery featuring a diverse range of artists, in medium and ethnicity, and museum, with artifacts showcasing up to 4000 years of Caribbean history.
Downtown Pointe-à-Pitre
One of the main cities of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre waterfront vibrance is punctuated by captivating artistry, historical significance and the hustle and bustle of a plethora of shops, restaurants, and street markets while live music fills the air. One of these shops turned tourist attractions, The Factory 971, offers tours by Tuk Tuk that combine historic landmarks and eye popping street art, complete with a storytelling tour guide ready to share their vast knowledge on the city Pointe-à-Pitre and Guadeloupe as a whole. We even took in a Gwo Ka live music and dance experience on Pointe-à-Pitre pedestrian street. The tour and Pointe-à-Pitre itself was a rich learning experience that was a feast for the senses.
Stay connected with…
In a place as beautiful as Guadeloupe, it’s hard to resist sharing everything you see on social media. With cellular roaming rates seemingly skyrocketing, consider an eSim to stay connected while you’re travelling. An e-(embedded) Sim facilitates the use of a local cellular provider, as a cost effective alternative to roaming. For my trip to Guadeloupe I purchased a Saily esim, which provided individual country plans at affordable rates.
With history, art and culture, aquatic adventures, waterfalls and even a volcano, the islands that make up Guadeloupe provide so many ways to escape the banality of day to day life back home, and even more ways to make memories that will last a lifetime. For a travel experience that warms the body, heart and soul, get away to Guadeloupe.
*Header photo by Chiara Je. Other photos by Nadia Elkharadly and Aurelien Brusini for les Iles de Guadeloupe
Nadia Elkharadly
Latest posts by Nadia Elkharadly (see all)
- The Guadeloupe Islands – Gems of the French Caribbean - January 15, 2026
- Early Detection Saves Lives – the importance of breast self exams - January 11, 2026