Where to stay in Guadeloupe?

Choosing wisely based on the length of your stay

Every time you travel, the same question arises: where to stay? And we tend to look for places based on nearby attractions, the most beautiful beaches, and points of interest.

The problem is that in Guadeloupe, even though it’s an island, the territory is vast. The archipelago offers a multitude of activities, beaches, cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and rivers… The island also has rush hours and traffic jams in the morning and at the end of the day, which can affect travel time. So, to help you find your accommodations, the question becomes: “How long will I be staying?”

And the answer changes everything. Whether you’re staying for one week or two, the right choice isn’t necessarily the same. Spending your entire stay in one place isn’t always the best way to explore the island.

One week: choose a central location

For a first one-week stay, we recommend Le Gosier. Its location makes it fairly easy to reach the different areas of Grande-Terre, as well as to head over to Basse-Terre. You’ll also be close to Pointe-à-Pitre and the airport. Located in the heart of the Riviera du Levant, the town offers beaches right in the village, a wide range of lodging options, and shops.

From there, you can easily spend two or three days exploring Grande-Terre: the beaches of Le Gosier and Sainte-Anne, a visit to Pointe-à-Pitre, Pointe des Châteaux, and northern Grande-Terre. You can also head to Basse-Terre, but allow about 40 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes by car for a hike in the forest, a swim under a waterfall, or a climb up La Soufrière, then return in the evening without having to change accommodations.

So for a week, keep it simple: a well-located place to stay and a car to explore the area.

Le Gosier is obviously not the only option. Sainte-Anne can also be a great choice if you want to spend more time at the beaches and soaking up the atmosphere of Grande-Terre.

What matters is not so much the name of the town as its location in relation to what you want to do.

Two weeks: switch it up!

With two weeks, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the archipelago and minimize your travel time. We strongly recommend splitting your stay between Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre.

Week 1: Grande-Terre, beaches, sightseeing, and relaxation.

To start, settle in on Grande-Terre, around Le Gosier, or further west, toward Sainte-Anne or Saint-François.

This is your chance to explore the beaches, lagoons, markets, Pointe des Châteaux, the northern part of the island, and the various towns of Grande-Terre at your own pace.

You’ll keep your commute to about 50 minutes and can easily avoid traffic jams.

Week 2: Hiking in the forests, rivers, snorkeling, and exploration

Spend your second week on the Leeward Coast to enjoy a different atmosphere and explore the coastline, the volcanic mountains, and the forest. This time, you can choose accommodations on the west coast, depending on what you’d like to explore.

Bouillante and Pointe-Noire are particularly convenient for exploring both the south and the north and for enjoying the sea, especially around Malendure. You’ll easily find guesthouses and villas with views of the Caribbean Sea and can enjoy magnificent sunsets.

Further north, Deshaies can be an excellent choice if you’d like to spend more time on the coast and take the time to explore the northern part of Basse-Terre.

Keep in mind, however, that Basse-Terre is much quieter in the evening, and there are fewer shops. This is something to keep in mind for those who enjoy dining out and nightlife.

Other things to keep in mind

No matter what type of lodging you choose, one thing remains true almost everywhere in Guadeloupe: without a rental car, your options will be limited.

Public transportation is available but isn’t designed for flexible tourist travel, and many attractions (waterfalls, coves, scenic overlooks, etc.) simply aren’t accessible any other way. Hitchhiking is possible but can be difficult and isn’t recommended for safety reasons.

Dates, types of accommodations, and prices

You’ll find all types of accommodations in Guadeloupe: hotels, vacation rentals, villas, apartments in tourist complexes, and more. As you can see, here at Discover Caraïbes, we highly recommend choosing a vacation rental or Airbnb in Grande-Terre. In Basse-Terre, some historic homes that have been converted into accommodations also offer a very different experience, set in a more tropical environment.

egarding this last point, prices vary depending on the time of year. Check out our article on “When to visit Guadeloupe?” for a month-by-month calendar of events and peak and off-peak tourist seasons

Summary

One week? Staying in a single, fairly central location, such as Le Gosier or Sainte-Anne, lets you enjoy your trip without having to make too many trips or changes.

Two weeks? Spending one week on Grande-Terre and one week on Basse-Terre lets you explore both without spending your vacation traveling across the island.

Don’t forget the islands of the archipelago if you have time, especially Marie-Galante, which is well worth a few nights’ stay if the weather permits (or a 5-day hike to circle the island, as described in our guide “Discover Guadeloupe“).

At Discover Caraïbes, we believe that your choice of accommodations determines how you’ll experience Guadeloupe.