Guadeloupe/Marie-Galante/Les Saintes

Question:

Hello everybody. My girlfriend an I are going to Guadelope for 2 weeks in January. All advices / warnings/ good links would be greatly appreciated. I have travelled the Caribbean extensively before, but never been to Guadeloupe before. We intend to spend some time on Marie-Galante and/or Les Saintes as well. Has anyone of you been to La Desirade, the lesser known of the Guadeloupean archipelago  ? I would especially like to have some recommendations on where to stay. We don`t like hotel complexes, would rather prefer to stay in a bungalow/cottage/gites directly on a non-crowded beach. But, for the first nights, we would like to stay in Gosier, to stay closer to Point-a-Pitre, and to have some night life etc. , so although Gosier is not our preferred place to stay for the whole vacation, I need some advice on where to stay there as well. How is beaches there by the way, very or medium crowded ?? Good places to go out at nighttime, to have some authentic music/dancing with the beguine, zouk etc. ? (i.e. not a touristy show) ? I thank you wery much in advance for all answers. Brynjulf Barexstein, Norway

Response:

I put a trip report on this board back in February/March.  You can use groups.google.com  and search for "grillades" and "guadeloupe". Basic advice:  rent a car; buy the official IGN map at the bookstore at the airport.  There is an ATM at the airport, so you can get your Euros right away.  There are banks and ATMs in all the main towns. Sites to see: the volcano, Chutes du Carbet, Pointe de Chateaux, Pointe de la Grande Vigie. As for lodging, we stayed in Basse Terre at "La Flute Enchantee" which has a website.  Its a collection of cottages near the town of Deshaise and a five minute walk to Grande Anse.  While popular, this beach is not crowded (I have beach suggestions in my previous post).  I would say that most of the beaches are either not crowded, or as you say "medium" crowded.  The exception is the beach at the Club Med. In Gosier, we’ve stayed at the Canella, which is in the Hotel Zone.  The rooms are nice sized, and come with a small cooking area (hot plates) and a ‘fridge. The beaches on Marie Galante are not crowded at all.  I highly recommend Mosquito Beach. As for crime/warnings, I’ve been to Guadeloupe five times and have never felt uncomfortable.  That’s probably because we’ve taken the standard precautions – stayed out of  Pointe a Pitre at night (there’s night life at the marina between Gosier and Pointe a Pitre), kept valuables out of the car, etc.  I’ve found the people there to be friendly and, when I’ve had a problem, very helpful. As for La Desirade, I’m waiting to see what others say.  Sound You’ll need a car on Marie Galante. Enjoy! Grill

Response:

My wife and I have been to all of the French West Indies except for La Desirade and Martinique. We enjoy them all, but a word of advice for Marie-Galante……. Bring a good quality insect repellent for mosquitoes and no-see-ums!  Also, bring a product to use after you get bit like "After Bite" . I was eaten up from my knees down last year on Marie-Galante and it took weeks for the itching to go away.  I had to use a steroid cream for almost a month when we got home! I don’t mean to scare you, but be prepared. The food is marvelous and the Iles des Saintes were unbelievable. Let me know if you get to Desirade. Also, let the airlines know where you will be staying in case there is a problem with flights.  When we were there last year, the French air traffic controllers went on strike in France and the airport was closed in Guadeloupe.  Nobody contacted us and we were coming in by ferry from Marie-Galante. It was quite a problem, but we managed to get back into our original hotel in Gosier for a night! Regards, John — q

Response:

>You’ll need a car on Marie Galante.

But can’t one use a bicycle to get around? I thought is was somewhat flat. Don <donwiss at panix.com>.

Response:

>a word of advice for >Marie-Galante……. >Bring a good quality insect repellent for mosquitoes and >no-see-ums!  

I got chewed up too, but only near Folie Plage, at the Cohoba Hotel. Otherwise, no bug problems. Grill

Response:

>>You’ll need a car on Marie Galante. >But can’t one use a bicycle to get around? I thought is was somewhat flat. >Don

I should have thought of that!   The island is relatively flat, though there is quite a steep drop on the northeast side to Anse Talieseronde (forgive my spelling – I don’t have my map on hand). Grill

Response:

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