16 Best Attractions to Visit in Guadeloupe in 2022- Part 2

Guadeloupe is a beautiful location to visit because of its evocative combination of lush natural beauty and rich Creole and French culture. The archipelago is a French overseas territory, and Guadeloupe’s cuisine, language, and culture reflect this close relationship.

On a map of Guadeloupe, the main landmass resembles a butterfly, with two main islands: Grande-Terre to the east and Basse-Terre to the west, divided by the Rivière Salée, a thin mangrove waterway.

Guadeloupe National Park, Basse-Terre

Guadeloupe National Park is a paradise for nature enthusiasts of all types (Parc National de la Guadeloupe). UNESCO has designated the park as a World Biosphere Reserve, and it receives over a million tourists each year.

300 kilometers of hiking routes, the 1,467-meter La Soufrière volcano, the 1,298-meter Col de la Matéliane, and a diverse range of flora and animals, including 100 orchid species and 11 bat species, are just a few of the numerous attractions.

Birdwatchers will appreciate the variety of species found here, including the black woodpecker, pearly-eyed thrasher, and Lesser Antillean pewee.

The Route de la Traversée is a fantastic route to take a sightseeing tour of the park (D23). This magnificent trans-coastal route passes through a tropical jungle of gigantic mahogany and bamboo trees. Lookouts, picnic sites, jungle waterfalls, and a staffed roadside center at Maison de la Forêt are all located along this route. Cascade aux Ecrevisses, a little waterfall cascading into a pond, is also a good spot for a refreshing dip.

Hiking up La Soufrière volcano is one of Guadeloupe’s most distinctive activities. Another path in the park leads to Les Chutes du Carbet, a series of waterfalls on the lower slopes of the volcano (Carbet Falls).

La Pointe des Châteaux, Grande-Terre

Photographers will like La Pointe des Châteaux. This picturesque isthmus, with castle-like rock structures protruding out of the water, is located at the easternmost point of Grande Terre. The rocky beauty of Brittany is reflected in the windswept, wave-battered point.

From the settlement, a botanical trail leads to a viewing point among massive black rocks. The islands of La Désirade, Petite-Terre, and Marie-Galante can all be seen from here.

A wild and wind-whipped white-sand beach is a short walk away. However, the surf is strong here, so swim at your own risk.

Plage de Grande Anse, Basse Terre

Plage de Grande Anse is a lovely stretch of palm-lined beach and clean season on the northeast coast of Basse-Terre, near Deshaies. This is one of Guadeloupe’s most stunning beaches. The beach spans for more than a kilometer, with smooth golden sand and plenty of shade trees, and is surrounded by beautiful headlands.

Plage de Grande Anse is a lovely beach for strolling, and the seas are normally calm enough for swimming, however, the surf can be rough on windy days. The seafloor drops down abruptly beyond the beach, making it unsuitable for small children to swim.

You can hire kayaks to paddle around the mangrove-fringed lagoon behind the beach, which is a nice treat.

After a morning of sunbathing and swimming, stroll over to the nearby cafés and food trucks, which provide delectable crepes and other refreshments.

Plage de la Perle, near Deshaies, is another popular beach with cafés and bathrooms, and it is a little quieter than Plage de Grande Anse.

Sainte-Anne Beach, Grande-Terre

Palm-fringed Sainte Anne is one of Guadeloupe’s most popular beaches. The beach is busy but gorgeous, with white sand and shallow water in dreamy colors of blue, and the coastal promenade bordering the coastline is a nice area for a stroll.

One of the most popular activities in Grande-Terre is sunbathing on this beach. With its normally tranquil seas, it’s also an excellent place to go swimming. A variety of eateries and market booths offering local goods are located near the shore.

Plage Caravelle, to the west of Club Med La Caravelle, is another lovely beach with an offshore reef.

If you prefer a bit more peace and quiet, Plage de Bois Jolan, to the east, is less popular than Sainte-Anne, but you’ll have to carry your own food and drinks because the beach is undeveloped.

Jardin Botanique de Deshaies, Basse Terre, Guadeloupe

Jardin Botanique de Deshaies is a calm botanical park on Basse-northwest Terre’s coast, brimming with gorgeous tropical vegetation and numerous colorful bird species. Throughout the grounds, paths decorated with vivid bursts of bougainvillea thread their way through waterfalls, lily ponds, and gazebos, where you may wander amid cascades, lily ponds, and gazebos.

Children will enjoy feeding the fish and the rainbow lorikeets that will land on their outstretched arms. Beautiful views of the gardens and the sea may be had from a hilltop café.