Basse-Terre

As the western island of the two butterfly shaped Guadeloupe islands, Basse-Terre has a population of about 175,000 and is one of the favorite getaway destination in the Caribbean.

Basse-Terre is the administrative capital of Guadeloupe. Due to its altitude, it is cooler and also receives more rain than Grande-Terre, its highest point being La Soufrière. Basse-Terre gets the temperate alizés, the trade winds that often temper the climate.

Basse-Terre is filled with various historical landmarks and forts that date back to the 1643 and there are several colonial buildings and monuments all around the city. It is connected to Grande-Terre by the Point de la Gabare Bridge that is built over Riviere Salee.

The Parc National de la Guadeloupe at the heart of Basse-Terre provides a great route for a drive-through or for a hike through the fern-covered hillsides and orchid-filled rainforests. At the center of the park in Basse-Terre there is an exhibit center in the Maison de la Foret, with various displays on the forest. Another place worth visiting is the large forest reserve that offers a lovely drive through. The Route de la Traversee takes you through a thicket of bamboos, huge gum and mahogany trees, ginger and heliconia. Also the jungle waterfall in the middle of the park called the Cascade aux Ecrevisses is worth a visit.

At the west end of the park is a zoo that has a short trail staring at the center and crossing over the Bas-David River. The trail goes over the river from a swing bridge and proceeds through the lush jungle of tall ferns and gommier trees. Various tropical birds can be found squawking in the jungle.

The various other places worth visiting in Basse-Terre include the fort Delgrès, a magnificent historical fort where the entrance is free. Centre Nautique de Basse-Terre and Marina de Rivière Sens offer various recreational activities and water sports opportunities for tourists.

On the west coast of Basse-Terre is Bouillante where you can find the beautiful beach of Maldendure and go canoe kayaking or by a motorboat to the islands of Ilets Pigeon. The surrounding area of the island is the reserve of Cousteau, named after the famous Commandant Cousteau, and is a great spot for snorkeling and diving. Grande Anse is another amazing beach with black sands and lush vegetation. There are boats available at the port from where you can take them to the various other tiny islands of Les Saintes. The beaches here start from white sandy areas and run up to get even darker. Up to the east of the city the beaches get more scattered.

Various nightclubs at Basse-Terre provide a mixture of rhythm from salsa to R&B and various other kind of music along. Or you can give your taste buds the pleasure of the finest cuisines and international food. With so much to offer Basse-Terre is a little Caribbean paradise where you can lose yourself in the clam.