marguerite

Caribbean Travel magazine featured this island as an affordable place to go. Can anyone tell me about the beaches (want calm water), best time to go for 85 degree weather with least amount of rain, and where to stay? Also what is the best way to get there? Thank you

Paul

I haven't been there, but I've been to Guadeloupe twice and spoken to others who have visited Marie-Galante. The beaches are supposedly excellent, and uncrowded. There is one 3-star hotel on the island, Cohoba. It's really your only choice and is supposed to be pretty pleasant. You'll need a car to get around. If you don't speak French bring a phrasebook, you'll need it. Best way to get there is either by jet boat or by plane from Pointe-a-Pitre in Guadeloupe. I hear the boat ride is unpleasant, and I'd opt for the plane. Rainy season to avoid is the period June 1 through November 30. So, go between Dec.1 and May 31 for the best weather. <BR>Another option for you is to stay instead on Terre de Haute, Les Saintes. Same low prices and gorgeous beaches, but you won't need to rent a car (none are allowed). Le Bois Joli (on beach) and Les Anarcardiers (1/4 mile from beach) are the two most popular places to stay. You get there the same ways you get to Marie-Galante.

johnno

Never been to Marie Galante, but Paul is right about Les Saintes. Kind of quiet, but beautiful and very romantic. Reminds me of St. Bart's but a whole lot less expensive and pretentious. The ferry from Guadeloupe can be a little rough but, unless you are prone to seasickness, you shouldn't find it to be too bad.

marguerite

Thank you Paul and John. I will check out Les Saintes. I would love to go to St Barths, but it seems a little too pricey to take my family of 4.

marguerite

Any suggestions on what website to get the best info in English?

Joelle

I'm just back from Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante. We stayed six days in Marie-Galante, went by boat (a bit rough to get there but smooth on the way back).<BR>We stayed at La Cohoba hotel. The hotel is nice, the grounds/garden as well, the rooms are OK too.<BR>The big problem in that hotel is that it is situated in a mosquito area... So we ended up (just like all the other guests and the personnel) being biten.. about 50 bites on each leg...<BR><BR>Since it has been raining a lot on Marie-Galante in December, they say they could not activate the regular anti-mosquito stuff on the coast...<BR><BR>The best thing to do is to choose a place to stay in the north or the south of the island, but not on the west coast...<BR><BR><BR>But Marie-Galante is great because it is so quiet, with also very nice and different landscapes.<BR><BR>Joelle