Pointe-à-Pitre

Day Trips

Land at Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet Airport and take in the warm trade winds on the drive to your beachfront hotel. Check in, unpack, and slip on your flip-flops for the first taste of Caribbean relaxation. Wander down to Plage de la Datcha for soft sand underfoot and gentle waves lapping at the shore.

Settle into a beach chair and sip a cold ti-punch under a swaying palm. Dive into the clear blue water for a refreshing swim or try paddleboarding along the coastline. Sample local street food at a nearby kiosk—fresh fruit juices, accras, and grilled mahi-mahi.

Return to your hotel to freshen up before dinner. Head to a waterfront restaurant and savor Creole flavors—spicy creole chicken, sautéed vegetables, and plantains. End the night with a stroll along the shore under a sky filled with stars and the sound of distant steel drum music.

Wake up to the buzz of the city and head to Marché Saint-Antoine, where vivid stalls overflow with tropical fruits, spices, and local handicrafts. Chat with vendors selling vanilla pods, coffee beans, and handmade jewelry crafted from seashells. Enjoy a quick bite of fresh tropical fruits and guava pastries as you explore the vibrant scene.

Tour the nearby Musée Saint-John Perse to learn about Guadeloupe's literary heritage set in a charming colonial edifice. Stroll through Place de la Victoire, admiring colorful Creole architecture and uncovering secret courtyards. Stop at a café for a leisurely lunch of bokit sandwiches filled with spicy meats and crunchy vegetables.

As the sun dips low, join a sunset cruise departing from the marina for a glass-bottom boat tour of the lagoon. Sip a rum cocktail while watching the sky shift in hues of orange and pink. Wrap up the evening with live zouk music at a local bar, dancing alongside friendly locals.

Drive south to Guadeloupe National Park and follow the shaded trail to Cascade aux Écrevisses. The path winds through a lush rainforest alive with tropical birds and the scent of damp earth. Pause at hidden viewpoints for photos of the falls framed by emerald foliage.

Head to Distillerie Damoiseau for a guided tour of the rum-making process, from harvesting sugarcane to aging in oak barrels. Sample a flight of aromatic rums—blanc, rosé, and vieux—while learning about the island's strong rum heritage. Pair your tastings with homemade boudin and local cheeses.

Return to your lodging nestled in the tropical hills and unwind on a veranda overlooking the valley. As dusk falls, listen to tree frogs and night insects creating a soothing symphony. Dine on a hearty Creole cassoulet by lamplight, followed by a passion fruit dessert.

Take a scenic drive east to the charming town of Sainte-Anne and explore its boutiques selling linen clothing and straw hats. Stop at the local bakery for fresh coconut bread and aromatic coffee. Wander through the colorful streets lined with bougainvillea.

Spend the afternoon lounging on Plage du Bourg, where turquoise waters kiss powdery white sand. Join a friendly game of beach volleyball or snorkel around a nearby reef teeming with parrotfish. Refuel at a beachfront grill serving skewers of grilled fish and mango salsa.

Attend a lively cultural event at Place du Marché, with traditional dance performances and live music. Sample local rum punches while mingling with fishermen and artisans. Cap the night with a moonlit walk along the shore, seashells crunching beneath your feet.

Rise early and pack hiking boots, water, and snacks for a day at La Soufrière, the West Indies’ only active volcano. Set off with a local guide who shares stories of past eruptions and the island’s geological history. Traverse steamy fumaroles and volcanic soils as mist drifts across the trail.

Reach the crater rim at midday and look out over a panoramic vista of lush mountains and distant sea. Enjoy a picnic lunch of pan-bagnat and tropical fruits amid swirling mist. Descend through fern-lined paths, keeping an eye out for endemic plants and colorful lizards.

Return to the coast for a relaxing soak in warm natural pools heated by volcanic springs. Treat yourself to a spa ritual using local algae and volcanic mud. Finish the evening with a simple meal of grilled prawns and island-grown vegetables by candlelight.

Board a catamaran at the Marina Bas-du-Fort for a two-hour sail to Les Saintes archipelago. Feel the ocean breeze as you glide past limestone cliffs and hidden coves. Disembark at Terre-de-Haut and climb to Fort Napoléon for sweeping views.

Rent a scooter to explore sandy coves like Pompierre Beach and Petite Anse. Dive into calm waters for snorkeling among vibrant coral gardens and darting tropical fish. Sample a local sandwich—tourment d’amour—filled with coconut jam and cream.

Settle into a beachfront bistro serving fresh octopus gratin and coconut-flavored sorbets. Watch fishing boats drift home and lights twinkle along the shoreline. Return to Pointe-à-Pitre by evening ferry, lulled by the gentle rocking of the sea.

Hit the road for a coastal journey across Grande-Terre, stopping at heavenly beaches like Plage de la Caravelle. Enjoy the sunrise over the Atlantic and take a morning swim in the calm, clear waters. Pick up pastries and fruit smoothies from a local beach shack.

Continue eastward to Plage de la Cocoteraie, where coconut palms lean over golden sand. Try kite surfing or rent a stand-up paddleboard to explore the lagoon. Savor a picnic lunch of cold seafood salad and crusty baguettes under a thatched umbrella.

End the day at Pointe des Châteaux, where dramatic cliffs rise above crashing waves. Climb the rocky paths to catch the sunset over sweeping ocean vistas. Back in Pointe-à-Pitre, delight in grilled lobster at a seaside restaurant.

Embark on a guided ATV tour through the heart of Basse-Terre’s rainforest, traversing muddy trails and hidden rivers. Spot exotic birds, giant ferns, and centuries-old trees dripping with lianas. Stop at an organic farm to learn about cocoa and banana cultivation.

Take a refreshing swim beneath the cascading falls of Carbet Waterfalls, feeling the cool mist on your skin. Pack grilled chicken wraps and tropical fruit salad for an al fresco lunch by the riverbank. Dry off on sun-warmed rocks as you watch hummingbirds flit between blooms.

Return to your eco-lodge nestled in the forest canopy and relax in a hammock with panoramic views. Dine on a fire-grilled barbecue featuring iguana stew for the adventurous palate, or opt for pan-seared mahi-mahi with lime butter. Gather around a bonfire as a local storyteller recounts island legends.

Catch an early boat ride from Bouillante to the Cousteau Reserve, one of the Caribbean’s premier marine parks. Don snorkel gear and dive into crystal waters to swim alongside turtles, eagle rays, and schools of parrotfish. Glide above colorful coral formations teeming with life.

For certified divers, descend deeper to explore underwater pinnacles and mysterious sea caves. If you prefer to stay dry, join a glass-bottom boat tour for up-close views of underwater gardens. Enjoy beachside burgers and tropical juices at a local shack.

Unwind at a cliff-top restaurant overlooking the sea, tasting fresh ceviche spiced with local peppers. Watch the sun slip below the horizon, painting the sky in vivid pinks and purples. Conclude with a nightcap of agricole rum under a canopy of stars.

Stroll to Le Grand Marché for souvenirs of rum, spices, and handmade pottery. Meet local artisans and sample fresh guava jelly and banana bread. Sip a cappuccino at a street café while people-watching in the colonial squares.

Enroll in a Creole cooking class to learn signature dishes like Colombo chicken and christophine gratin. Sauté vegetables in fragrant spices and assemble fresh salads with vinaigrette infused with local citrus. Enjoy the fruits of your labor in a communal feast.

Return to downtown Pointe-à-Pitre for a night out at a jazz club or a lively zouk bar. Sample tasting menus that showcase modern twists on traditional Creole cuisine. Dance the night away with a rum punch in hand, celebrating your final evening in Guadeloupe.