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Guadeloupe.
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Travelling to Guadeloupe: what to know before you go

Guadeloupe is a French overseas region in the Lesser Antilles, a butterfly-shaped pair of islands with a volcano, rainforest and waterfalls on one wing and beaches and sugar-cane plains on the other, plus smaller islands offshore. It suits travellers who enjoy hiking, diving, Creole food and rum, and it uses the euro and works much like the rest of France.

Where to go

• La Soufrière. An active volcano and the highest point in the Lesser Antilles, at around 1,467 metres.
• Guadeloupe National Park. Covering much of Basse-Terre's mountainous interior, the park has dense rainforest, the three-tiered Carbet Falls and well-marked trails, as well as the Route de la Traversée that crosses the island through the forest.
• The Cousteau Reserve at Malendure. The waters around the Pigeon Islets off the west coast of Basse-Terre are a protected reserve associated with Jacques Cousteau, with turtles, reef fish and coral close to the surface for snorkellers and divers.
• Les Saintes. A small archipelago to the south, reached by ferry, where Terre-de-Haut has a pretty village, a large natural bay, Fort Napoléon and beaches such as Pompierre, all easily explored on foot or by scooter.

Best time to visit

The dry season, known locally as the carême, runs from roughly December to May and has the most reliable weather; it is also the busiest and most expensive period. The rainy season, the hivernage, lasts from about June to November, with hotter, more humid weather and the risk of hurricanes, which is highest from August to October.

Staying online in Guadeloupe

4G coverage is good in towns, along the coast and around most of Grande-Terre. Signal is weaker in the rainforest and mountains of Basse-Terre, on hiking trails and in some parts of the smaller islands. Wi-Fi is common in hotels, guesthouses and cafés. Note that EU roaming rules generally apply in Guadeloupe as an outermost region, but some providers treat the French overseas territories differently, so check before relying on your home plan. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.