Destination Guide: Travel to Guadeloupe

Much of the Caribbean is littered with European influence and Guadeloupe is no different. While it does share that characteristic with many of the other nations in the area, it does have many differences that make it unique. The island lives with a finger on the pulse of the French culture and travelers can see that from the minute they walk onto the shores. This island is one of the best kept secrets in tourism, featuring some great cultural aspects to go along with the beautiful beaches and lavish mountain terrain that offers a ton of options for the traveler.

In Guadeloupe, the French culture runs deep. The first place the traveler can tell this is with the great food that the island has. The Creole cuisine is everywhere, including the excellent restaurants and fun night clubs. The country has some of the characteristic Caribbean travel resorts, but in Guadeloupe, the best things are the small inns that provide a truly cultural experience. Many travelers like to stay in these huge, beachfront mansions, but the smart travelers know that these inns are the place to be. Tranquility is the name of the game if you stay there, and all of the food is prepared in house for the guests.

For American travelers, it can be a little bit difficult to get to islands. There are few direct flights from the states into the island, but one can easily fly into the Caribbean and transfer their flight into Guadeloupe. Once inside the nation, travelers should find their stay to be enjoyable. The nation is mostly free of crime and there remains little reason to fear for safety. When you are there, they treat you like a guest and expect you to have a great time.

As far as water sports go, snorkeling is the most popular option. Off of the shores on the island, you can find some outlying islands that are equally as fun as the major ones. On the island of Marie-Galante, tourists have yet to take their hold on the island. Because of this, the nature on the island remains relatively untouched. This is the place that provides the best snorkeling and backpacking for tourists.

In Guadeloupe, travelers can find themselves engulfed in French culture while remaining in the heart of the Caribbean. Not only does the island retain a small, quaint feel, it also features some top-notch attractions that should suit any traveler's needs.