GETTING READY
Formalities for a stay in Guadeloupe islands
For a dream stay, you just have to think about some small formalities before and once you are there.
Passeports & visas
The Islands of Guadeloupe are a French territory, so if you are French you will only need your identity card or your passport (valid). If you are a citizen of the European Union or Switzerland, a passport, an official identity card or a valid French residence permit are required. No visa required
From 1 October 2021, travellers will be required to present a valid passport to and from the UK. Only those residents who are beneficiaries of the UK's EU Withdrawal Agreement and who are eligible for (pre)settled status will be able to continue using an ID card until 2025.
To find out more, visit the Guadeloupe government services website http://www.guadeloupe.pref.gouv.fr/
Currency
The currency is the Euro. The coins and notes are the same as those used in Europe.
The main French banks are represented and generally open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. Some branches are open on Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm.
Cash tills can be found in large towns and villages.
N.B.: checks from outside of the island are often refused. All the banks and most of the hotels exchange traveller's cheques and foreign currency. There are also several automatic exchange counters and exchange desks near the arrival points (ports and airport). Holiday vouchers are accepted.
Exchange bureaus are available to convert sterling pounds into euros. However, it is recommended that you carry euro cash to facilitate your stay.
Post and telecommunications
Postal rates are the same as in mainland France, but nothing beats the beautiful, colourful stamps of Guadeloupe!
The telephone network is fully connected and covers automatically the entire region as well as mainland France and elsewhere via the satellite.
To call the Guadeloupe Islands from...
Metropolitan France
Dial the ten digits of your correspondent (e.g.: 05 90 xx xx xx).
From abroad
Dial 00 590, then the six digits of your correspondent (land line).
To call from Guadeloupe to...
Metropolitan France
Dial the ten digits of your correspondent (e.g.: 01 48 XX XX XX).
From abroad
Dial: 00, then the country code, the area code, then the number of your correspondent.
Good to know
The islands of Guadeloupe are perfectly covered by several mobile phone networks (900 MHz and 1800 MHz). Most of the time, there is a continuity of service by the operators of Metropolitan France (subject to the contract concluded with them). In case of doubt or if you need to activate an option, we advise you to contact your mobile operator directly.
Health Advice
For a successful trip, here are the main medical recommendations and best practices
Vaccines & mosquitos
Coming from Europe, no vaccines are compulsory! However, for safety reasons, you should make sure with your doctor that your vaccinations update several weeks before your departure.
If you are arriving from a tropical country, you will need to show an international certificate of vaccination against smallpox.
Good to know: There is no malaria or yellow fever in Guadeloupe!
However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate will be requested from all travellers over one year old coming from infected areas in Africa or tropical America.
Guadeloupe is located in the tropics! So, to avoid insect bites and their nuisances such as mosquito borne dengue fever, use repellents!
Digestive Infections
As far as food is concerned, we advise you to wash vegetables, peel fruit and eat food that has just been cooked.
Transport of protected plants
The transport of protected plants to and from Guadeloupe is subject to strict rules. If you have any questions, please contact the customs authorities.
Poisonous plants & animals
When relaxing, make sure you are not lying under a mancenilla tree! The sap of this tropical tree causes severe burns! Don't panic, these trees are always signposted, just look at the signs!
If you go spearfishing, beware of certain fish such as barracuda, moray eels, jelly fish, groupers and jacks! They contain toxins from the corals that cause ciguatera, a food poisoning that the great explorer and navigator James Cook bitterly experienced!
Good to know: The black sea urchin is poisonous, only the white sea urchin is edible! If you can't tell them apart, ask the locals!