Help re: Guadeloupe

We're going to Guadeloupe in mid Jan. and really need any info we can get..renting motor scooters..where to buy groceries..cabs..etc

Thank you...jimnjudy

Where in Guadeloupe? It's a fairly large island

Some info on TA.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g147300-i1141-Guadeloupe.html

We'll be landing at the airport at Grande Terre island but from there we're going to Basse-Terre Island and staying at Pointe Noire and from there we hope to explore Deshaies where the BBC series "Death in Paradise" is filmed.Then we return to Grande Terre island to cath a cat out of Pointe-a-Pitre and on return will be staying for a day or two around Sainte Anne on Grande Terre.

If you can work in a trip to Les Saintes, you won't be disappointed. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

I didn't know that about Deshaies. Will have to search on Netflix!

Death In Paradise has been shown on PBS in the States.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_in_Paradise_%28TV_series%29

We have seen it a few times and liked the show, but haven't seen it lately.

When we leave the airport at Pointe-a-Pitre should we take a cab to Pointe Noire where we are staying and then try to arrange for a scooter there? Do the scooters hold two people? Can anybody recommend a scooter rental either at the airport or at or near Pointe Noire? If we rent a car can anybody tell us how much we can expect to pay..ditto the scooter? We know we can grocery shop in Deshaies at Spar but should we be buying groceries near the airport before we set out to Pointe Noire? and if so where? When we first come to the island we're staying at Kotesi Jan 29, 30...any comments? Upon return off the cat we'll be staying at Domaine de Vieux at Le Moule on Grande-Terre Feb 7th..any comments..suggestions??
Thanks

I spent about 5 weeks in Gwada about 4 years ago. I honestly don't remember seeing anyone on scooters. Basse Terre is very hilly with winding roads and switchbacks - and confident and experienced (read: CRAZY) drivers. Rent a car. They're not that expensive and you will have great mobility.

Unless things have changed drastically in the last 4 years (doubt it) cabs are not common. Also, I hope you have some French because almost no one speaks English. Gwada caters to the french vacationer almost exclusively. In our 5 weeks there I think we saw maybe 5 Americans/Canadians. It is an absolutely beautiful place. I thought Les Saintes were very pretty but UBER touristy. I highly recommend Marie Galante. Once the ferry crowd disperses it's like you have this entire island to yourself.

St. Anne has a fantastic fruit market - it's known for it. Oddly, it's the only place we found inexpensive local fruit. Otherwise it was like 5 euro for an avocado at the supermarket - which was bizarre since we literally almost got knocked in the head with them falling out of the trees.

The beaches are stunning - go to all of them: if you see one just stop and get out. They have every color sand and I've just never seen any place like it. The jardin botanique is lovely and we took a wonderful tour of a banana plantation somewhere. We hiked the waterfalls (or as close as they allow you) - the ones that drew Columbus to the island in the first place. We also hiked the volcano which everyone was like, "ooh la la, it is fantastique and SO easy". RIGHT. I was almost crippled after the 7 mile turn around and I was not out of shape. But you should do it if you can - bring water and food because there are no services whatsoever.

Drink the rum - it's great. Go to Pointe des Chateaux (sp?) - it's like the end of the earth. Eat grillade - there's an awesome place on the main road just before you get into St. Anne. We didn't get to Desiderade - I hear it's lovely. Go to Morne a l'eau - it's lovely.

Deshaies is a very pretty town - felt very different from St. Anne (where we started). There's a restaurant that has (had?) 2 locations, one in Deshaies and the other in St. Francois - Le Metis? Good food.

The roads are fantastic - we felt like they laid them just for us! No one was rude, we never felt unsafe. Didn't spend any time in Point a Pitre - didn't look appealing to us.

I definitely want to go back someday. Have a wonderful time!

geogrl...thanks for the info..we're going to need all we can get what with exploring a new island. We sent you a PM.
jimnjudy

Geogirl...............We are going to stay at St. Francis I believe by the golf course after New Year's for a week. we a renting a car. Any recommendations for eats and activities on the East end? No I am not afraid of covering the whole island but haven't seen much info on the East end.

We didn't go out to eat much but we did have a great meal at Metis in St. Francois. Definitely go to Point des Chateaux. Also, there's a great beach - I think it's called Anse de la Gourde? We stayed at a divey place right there that honestly was perfect. Beautiful views, beach, water, uncrowded, even during high season.

I think you can take ferries from St. Francois - to MG and Desirade. Probably excursion trips, too.

It's so lovely. There was hardly anything we didn't want to explore. Pointe a Pitre was gross looking and I seem to remember Le Moule (sp?) was menacing in some way but you know what they say, "People are strange, when you're a stranger."

thanks Geogirl. Looking forward to new finds!

The Catamarans out of Pointe a Pitre do day trips to Les Saintes
Surrounding the Bas du fort Marina in Pointe a Pitre are many excellent restaurants. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />