Forget Punta Cana and its overdeveloped resort zones, Jamaica and the hardly authentic tourist traps, Cozumel’s cruise-dominated shores:
If you’re up to here with the overcrowded Caribbean clichés, and you’re keen to experience the quieter end of the Caribbean this year, this is where you should go instead:
A quaint, butterfly-shaped island in the Eastern Caribbean, Guadeloupe is one of those truly unspoiled tropical paradises straight out of NatGeo.
We’re talking lush landscapes, thriving wildlife, and unruffled white sands of the kind you’ve only ever seen in glossed-over Insta shots.
It’s also far less crowded than your average Caribbean hotspot, and better even: after a far-from-impressive 2025, with an unexpected drop in visitor numbers, it actually wants more Americans to visit in 2026:
Guadeloupe Is Calling On North Americans To Visit In 2026
After a disappointing 2025, with an unexpected drop in tourism levels, the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe has high hopes for 2026, and it’s counting on Americans (and Canadians) to give its tourism sector a much-needed boost.
As reported by Yves Jacquent, a local tourism official heading the prestigious Fort Fleur d’Épée au Gosier Hotel, visitor numbers are picking up pace again following a lackluster early winter.
Though it’s not on the average American traveler’s radar as far as Caribbean destinations go, Guadeloupe has plenty to offer both adventurers and beach lovers alike. Oh, did we mention the non-existent crowds?
Guadeloupe Is Unlike Any Caribbean Island You’ve Experienced Before
If you’re tired of the old all-inclusive model and you’re keen on something a little more authentic to make your sunny getaway worthwhile, you’ve come to the right place.
For starters, Guadeloupe is not your usual tropical island. Don’t expect to hear street vendors shouting at you in Spanish, nor empanadas being sold at street corner panaderías: this is a French island.
As in, it is every bit as part of France as Paris is. Locals speak French (as well as their own version of Creole), hold French passports, the euro is the currency in circulation, and it’s the French tricolor that flies above historic forts and Government buildings.
It’s no wonder it’s one of the safest Caribbean destinations out there.
However, Guadeloupe is not your usual French territory, either: needless to say, it feels considerably more tropical and wild than the European mainland that administers it.
Volcanos & Lush Jungles To The South…
The archipelago is dominated by La Grande Soufrière, a towering volcano that can be hiked for epic views of the surrounding islands. It’s also the highest peak in the Lesser Antilles, and one of several volcanic summits to be conquered around Guadeloupe.
Trails here can be tricky to follow, with the jungle reclaiming parts of the route, and off-route detours, so we strongly advise booking a guided hike if you’re planning on going into nature.
We’re with the relaxation team, though: instead of hours-long, challenging climbs, you can find us at Bains Jaunes, the thermal pools right on the slopes of the volcano, with spring waters reaching temps of around 95°F, and on-site massages offered.
The volcano is at the heart of the Guadeloupe National Park, in the southern, westernmost tip of Guadeloupe.
You could spend weeks on end exploring the jungle here, and still not see all that it has to offer, but if we were to pick our top favorite spots, they would certainly feature Chutes du Carbet, a trio of cascading waterfalls surrounding by verdant scenery, Bains des Amours, the volcano-heated river pools, and Maison de la Forêt, perhaps the most popular tourist-friendly forest path in the archipelago.
…Sandy Beaches & Surfing Spots To The North
In the north of Basse-Terre, make sure you allow for plenty of time to unwind at Grande-Anse Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, with golden sands and calm, swimmable waters.
As you cross the manmade causeway that links Basse to Grande-Terre, the lush, mountainous landscapes start flattening out and giving way to sand dunes and postcard beaches lined with laid-back fishing villages.
A peaceful stretch of sand hugged by an azure sea, Plage de la Caravelle, near Sainte-Anne, sits among Guadeloupe’s most-frequented beach spots.
Over in Le Moule, on the wilder Atlantic side, epic waves and endless miles of golden dunes await surfers and watersports enthusiasts.
A Quaint Capital City Not To Be Skipped
The quaint guadeloupéenne capital, Point-à-Pitre is your go-to destination for experiencing local culture, and sampling ethnic food without having to drive several long hours to some remote coastal settlement for it.
Marché Central, the central market, is known for its myriad of spices and exotic fruit, and if you’re the souvenir kind, you can even find handicraft items being sold.
Place de la Victoire is the heart of the capital, and a lively central square flanked by landmark colonial buildings. Only a few steps away, Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul is a beautiful historic church presenting a bold-colored yellow-washed façade.
For a casual eatery with Creole classics, and that won’t burn a hole through your wallet—they use the euro here, remember?—make sure you add Le Kiosque à Manger to your Point-à-Pitre bucket list. Think delicious accras, grilled fish, and freshly-squeezed juice at modest prices.
How To Save Money On A Guadeloupe Vacation
Guadeloupe is not the cheapest Caribbean getaway out there, but you can visit on a stricter budget:
Tips For Saving Money While Visiting Guadeloupe
- Order a lunch menu as they are usually cheaper than ordering individual dishes (most places have prices at about €10–€15)
- Keep your eyes peeled for the nearest bokit stand: that’s a local term for a Guadeloupe sandwich stand, usually found in the vicinity of a market
- Most main towns are connected by affordable bus services. They’re not as frequent, but when changing accommodation or commuting between different towns, check whether public transport is an option
- Island-hopping around Guadeloupe can be expensive, but from Point-à-Pitre or Sainte-Anne, there are regular ferry services (€29 one-way) to beautiful smaller islets with sandy beaches and cute villages nearby*
*Options include Îles des Saintes, famous for its cyclable coastal routes and authentic settlements, Marie-Galante, dotted with historic sugarcane fields and rum distilleries, and La Désirade, for the quiet, rugged beaches and picturesque lighthouses
Fly Nonstop From The U.S. To Guadeloupe
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