#1 Parc National de la Guadeloupe (Guadeloupe National Park)
Tucked amid Basse-Terre's verdant mountain landscape sits the Parc National de la Guadeloupe (Guadeloupe National Park), a 74,100-acre rainforest filled with picturesque traces (walking trails). The park's ... Read more »
CaptureLight / Shutterstock
#2 Les Saintes
Les Saintes consists of eight islands skirting Guadeloupe's southern coast. The picturesque cluster gets its name from explorer Christopher Columbus who, after discovering them in the 15th century, named ... Read more »
Courtesy of the Tourist Board Council of the Guadeloupe islands
#3 Marie-Galante
Ever since Christopher Columbus caught sight of Marie-Galante and named the island after his ship, the Maria Galanda, visitors have been captivated by this enchanting isle. Today, Marie-Galante's unspoiled ... Read more »
Courtesy of Office du Tourisme de Marie-Galante
#4 La Desirade
It's no wonder Christopher Columbus and his crews were awestruck by the unspoiled beauty of La Désirade (meaning "The Desired One" in French). Legend has it Columbus caught sight ... Read more »
sybarite48 / Flickr
#5 Plantation and Distillery Tours
For your chocolate, coffee, and rum fixes all in one, you will want to devote some time to touring the islands' plantations and distilleries. You'll find centuries-old plantations peppering ... Read more »
julian elliot / Shutterstock
#6 Pointe-a-Pitre
Shoppers looking for discounted French wares—including perfumes, scarves, and cosmetics—should head straight to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe's fashion hub and Grande-Terre's largest city. The streets are narrow and ... Read more »
Graphicos / Wikimedia Commons
#7 Plage Caravelle
On Grande-Terre's southern edge, just southwest of the quaint town of Ste-Anne, you'll find Plage Caravelle's long, sunny stretch. A preferred spot for snorkelers (the reef-protected waters ... Read more »
Courtesy of the Tourist Board Council of the Guadeloupe islands
#8 Pointe des Chateaux
Pointe des Châteaux's striking cliff formations define Grande-Terre's easternmost edge, marking where the Atlantic Ocean collides with the Caribbean Sea. You'll notice a cluster of hollowed limestone ... Read more »
Jukk_a / Flickr
#9 La Grande-Anse
For a slice of the French Riviera without a long overseas flight, head straight to La Grande-Anse. Draped in soft, khaki-colored sands and tall, swaying palm trees, La Grande-Anse stands ... Read more »
Courtesy of the Tourist Board Council of the Guadeloupe islands
#10 Diving
Guadeloupe features calm waters ideal for aquatic enthusiasts. Some of the most popular dive sites lay in the bay of Petit Cul-de-Sac Marin, located just south of Rivière Salée (the ... Read more »
Ti'mal / Flickr
#11 Sailing
Guadeloupe's brilliant waters cast magnificent hues of green and blue, luring seafarers to set sail. But before you hoist anchor, you should note the strong winds and currents can ... Read more »
Courtesy of the Tourist Board Council of the Guadeloupe islands
#12 Parc Zoologique et Botanique de la Guadeloupe (Zoological and Botanical Park of Guadeloupe)
A wildlife-lover's paradise, Basse-Terre's Parc Zoologique et Botanique de la Guadeloupe (Zoological and Botanical Park of Guadeloupe) boasts rare and endangered species, including Ti raccoons, iguanas, and parrots ... Read more »
sybarite48 / Flickr
