Guadeloupe in January
 

Hi there, myself and three friends got a ridiculously inexpensive flight from Boston direct to Pointe-à-Pitre. I am finding that trip reports on this island are sparse.

Is there anyone who can recommend a particular area to stay in, villa to rent, helpful hints etc...?

Thank you!

Guadeloupe is two islands in one. Basse Terre is more lush & tropical, beige sand beaches (some are black volcanic), the area is mountainous in areas. Best snorkelling and scuba is on this part of the island. It's very beautiful and the best part IMO. Grande Terre is not as beautiful, being flatter, drier but has white sand beaches, there are alot more hotels etc in Saint-François. So it would depend on which is your preference. Renting a car is advisable, especially if staying in a villa, then you need to do some shopping in the great French supermarkets.

January will be busy and things get booked up quickly. Villas, gîtes, apartments are all very popular.

http://www.gitesdefrance-guadeloupe.com/

We found this site useful when we planned our vacation to Guadeloupe, although it is now a few years since we went.

http://www.antilles-info-tourisme.co...e/p2-in-gb.htm

Also, look at a trip to Iles des Saintes. Do any of you speak French?

I am very curious to how your trip went and if you have any advice. We are looking to go at the end of next month. Where did you stay and are you happy with the part of the island you stayed on?

We liked equally both parts of the island.

Plus grande terre is drier (we went in december, and we got some water on basse terre).

We based at Deshaies in basse terre and close to Pointe à Pitre in grande. Didn't like the city much.

We loved the smaller towns towards the east (Le Moule ...).

Thanks for this report. Yes, just noticed the Norwegian Air fares. We were going to go back to St. Croix, but considering this now.