Why is there so little available about Guadeloupe? And, exactly how is it pronounced anyway? I have an opportunity to stay at Le Meridien - La Cocoteraie in St. Francois and would like some real feedback on the city, resort, language issues, people, crime, cost of entertainment & food, and beaches. Please help!
Guadeloupe - HELP!
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There is not much available on the net regarding French Carribeans.
Le Meridien La Cocoteraie is the best hotel on the island (reviews from people who went there are good).
St Francois is a tourist resort. I have not heard of "crimes" being a problem. This is not Jamaica...
You will have to rent a car to discover the island (west and east parts are very different).
I also highly recommend a boat trip to les Saintes islands, although a day trip is not enough.
Language may be your problem, although the staff at la Cocoteraie will certainly speak English.
Restaurants and general cost of living are based in general on Paris prices as most of the food is imported from France. But you will also find local people in little cabanas offering meals for a very low price.
By the way, food is safe and you can drink water from the tap... although it often tastes like plitch!
People in Guadeloupe are very proud of their heritage and sometimes look like they do not look for contact with tourists. But a big smile generally is the key to solve all problems.
Nice beaches are located in Ste Anne and near St François, also at Port-Louis and Deshaies village (other side of the island).
The main city Pointe a Pitre is not particularly pretty. It is good for shopping though. Try the local markets.
Unemployment rate is high and you will see that suburbs of Pointe a Pitre are ugly and poor. But you are not going to spend your holidays around the city.
Hope this helps.
I too am looking for information on LaCocoteraie. Did you end of going/ If so, would you recommend the resort? My husband and I speak no french, but we do love french islands....
La Cocoteraie is affiliated with and connected to Le Meridien St. Francois, and is one of the best - and most expensive - hotels on Guadeloupe (GWAD-EL-OOP). It is right on an excellent beach. Here are two sites where you can get more info:
www.frenchcaribbean.com
www.antilles-info-tourisme.com/guadeloupe/coco-gb.htm
St. Francois is a resort area and is fairly quiet, and very nice. Crime is not a big problem on Guadeloupe, just use normal common sense and caution. Especially avoid Point a Pitre at night, when the streets start to get deserted. Generally the island is safe and most crime that does occur is petty theft. But watch your driving! They drive like true frenchmen over there - too fast and a bit crazy.
Language - except in a few major hotels (including La Cocoteraie) the overwhelming majority of people you encounter on Guadeloupe will only speak french. Much more so than on St. Martin, for example, where English is common. I know other people though who can't speak a word of french and still managed to have a great time on Guadeloupe. Bring a phrase book and dictionary if you don't speak french.
Some of the other excellent beaches include St. Anne on Grand Terre,and Grand Anse, on Basse Terre. Also great beaches on Marie-Galante and Les Saintes, both day trips by ferry.
Tourisme is not the main industry on Guadeloupe, and therefore the average person isn't going to fawn over you. They are generally conservative people.
Don't photograph them unless you get their permission in advance. A big smile and any effort at all to speak some french usually opens all the doors!