Getting around Guadeloupe

Getting around Guadeloupe is pretty easy. The island offers various transportation systems that are not only cheap but also affordable and fun. France offers direct flights between Paris and Point-a-Pitre in Guadeloupe. Travelers from Canada and America can fly directly to Guadeloupe and others can take connecting flights. Apart from the citizens of the U.S, European Union, Canada and Australia all the other foreign country travelers require valid passports and visas.

A great way to explore the island is to rent a bike and go cycling. The roads are mostly two lanes and in good condition making them great for riding a bicycle. Cycling is also a popular sport in Guadeloupe and if you are the adventurous and sporty kind then this is the thing to do.

There are car rentals and a taxi stand available at the airport and on weekdays an airport bus runs twice every hour from the airport to Point-a-Pitre. The taxi services are also available at the hotels but it is a rather expensive way to travel. You can also go to and fro Guadeloupe by a boat. There are catamarans available in various parts of the island to travel from one place to another. These mostly run between Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique and Saint Lucia. There are also cruise ships available at the docks of Point-a-Pitre.

Several agencies in Guadeloupe provide car rentals and these are available at the airport and various resorts too. Traffic drives on the right side and your home driver’s license is also valid. However an International Driving Permit is advised for. Some people also like to rent motorcycles as they are fun to ride around Terre-de-Haut and Marie-Galante due to less traffic. Bicycle and scooter rentals are also available at many places in Guadeloupe.

The cheapest way to get around Guadeloupe is by the public buses. The public bus service is good and covers all the secondary routes around the island; however on Sundays the buses normally don’t run around these areas and the service is much lighter.

Another way to get around between Guadeloupe and its connecting island is by a ferry. The ferry service is available for various routes to the many smaller islands. The ferry is available for Saint-Francois, Pointe-a-Pitre and Les Saintes, Trois-Rivieres and Marie-Galante and La Desirade. Ferry rides offer a great way to explore the island and its beauty more. Or if the ferry rides sound a little tiring then you can always catch any one of the daily flights to any of the major points on the island. Air Caraibes offers flights from La Desirade to Terre-de-Haut and Pointe-a-Pitre to Marie-Galante.

No matter what way you choose or how you decide to travel around Guadeloupe, it is sure to be easy and fun filled.