Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
A Family Adventure in Guadeloupe From Grand-Terre to Basse-Terre
Guadeloupe - Basse-Terre - Grande-Terre
Begin in Grand-Terre, where breathtaking beaches and views over the Atlantic are the order of the day. Here, you can spend lazy days sunbathing, sandcastle-building and strolling along the sand, or take advantage of your trusty hire car to visit local museums and historic landmarks.
Next, it’s onto Basse-Terre, but not before stopping for a guided snorkelling expedition in the beautiful Cousteau Reserve. Once your youngsters have been suitably wowed by swirling sea turtles and colourful coral, the holiday just keeps getting better: think a visit to a cocoa plantation to craft your own chocolate bar and an exciting electric buggy tour of the Les Saintes archipelago. Quality time doesn’t come much more exciting than this…
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Grab your bags and bundle the children into the car: your family adventure to Guadeloupe begins today. Head to the airport, speed through security and settle in for some coffee (or juice) in the lounge before boarding your flight to Pointe-a-Pitre, on the Guadeloupean island of Grand-Terre. With a speedy stopover, the journey will take around 12-and-a-half hours, so be sure to stock up on snacks before you take off.
When you arrive, pick up your trusty rental car and drive half an hour to Le Moule, your home for the next four nights. It’ll be evening by the time you arrive, so check into your charming villa, drop your bags and head out in search of your first dinner – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some local gems.
Enjoy a leisurely family breakfast this morning, fuelling up for a day of exploring. If you fancy an early trip out, meet a local guide for a trip to the nearby Saint-Francois market; if not, simply slap on some sun cream and head out to discover the city.
Established by colonial forces in the 17th century on a former Amerindian site, Le Moule’s streets are laced with history. If you’re keen to learn more about both native and colonial civilisations, visit the Edgar Clerc Museum, which offers a glimpse into native American history, and the Habitation Zevallos, a former sugar refinery.
Fancy yourself a foodie? Parents can taste local rum at the Damoiseau distillery before whisking the children to the Gardel sugar factory, where the scent of caramel lingers in the air. Or, for a spot of sunbathing and sandcastle-making, head to the horseshoe cliffs of Porte d'Enfer, famous for its sparkling lagoon and secluded beach.
The next two days are yours for the taking. Enjoy lazy mornings punctuated by tasty breakfasts and excited chatter, then drift from the calm of the pool to the sandy stretch of beach, stopping to enjoy an ice-cold smoothie and watch surfers ride the waves.
Keen to head a little further afield? Hop in the car and drive along the Atlantic coast, stopping wherever takes your fancy. Be sure to stop at Pointe des Chateaux, a rugged natural headland complete with beautiful beaches and white salt flats, and the beach of Bois Jolan, perfect for enjoying a family picnic under the shade of the palm trees. Quality time doesn’t come much better than this…
Today, swap one island paradise for another as you set the sat nav for Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe’s capital. Along the way, stop at the Cousteau Reserve, a protected marine area in Bouillante.
When you arrive, cast off your flip-flops and grab some fins as you head out on a snorkelling adventure with an expert local instructor. Sprawling over almost 2,500 acres, the Cousteau Reserve’s warm waters and fantastic visibility make it perfect for adults and children alike, so dive down and keep your eyes peeled for kaleidoscopic corals, schools of tropical fish and graceful sea turtles gliding below the surface.
Later, dry off and hop back in the car to continue your journey to Vieux-Habitants, a commune in Basse-Terre. Check in for three nights and spend in the rest of the day soaking in your surroundings, preferably with a cocktail (or mocktail, for the youngsters) in hand...
Rise and shine: this morning calls for a visit to the Gwakoko cocoa plantation (yes, really). After a quick lesson in how cocoa is transformed from bean to bar, the whole family will have the chance to craft their own personalised chocolate – the perfect (albeit possibly short-lived) souvenir…
The rest of the day is yours for the taking. Venture into the heart of Vieux-Habitants to visit Saint-Joseph church, the oldest in Guadeloupe. Or, for more historic architecture, wind along the Grande Riviere des Vieux-Habitants to a historic coffee plantation, where you can learn about the colonial history of coffee processing and the estate’s transformation in the 20th century.
If your youngsters prefer the great outdoors to history, don’t worry; simply set off for Guadeloupe National Park, where tropical forest and ancient mangroves are home to a variety of wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for exotic birds flying against the backdrop of the Soufriere volcano, which sometimes erupts with impressive plumes of volcanic vapour.
Leave the hire car behind today as you head to Trois-Rivieres and hop aboard a boat bound for Terre-de-Haut, one of the only inhabited islands in the nine-strong Les Saintes archipelago. You’ll have the chance to discover the island aboard an electric buggy – sure to impress even the most cynical teen.
Once you’ve disembarked, take some time to soak up the sweetness of island life, from the lively town to the wild beaches. As you glide along the streets, stop to grab a crepe and chat to the locals, many of whom are descendants of 17th-century French settlers.
Along the way, be sure to visit Fort Napoleon, which offers incredible views over the Bay of Les Saintes and houses a museum dedicated to the island's history. Then, make your way to the colourful Creole village before finishing the day at Pompierre Beach, a peaceful stretch of sand lined with coconut palms.
Back in Vieux-Habitants, find a local spot to watch the sunset, toasting to the memories of an incredible family trip.
It’s sadly time for your family adventure in Guadeloupe to come to an end. After one last beachfront breakfast and a leisurely morning at the beach, bundle your bags into the car and drive back to Pointe-a-Pitre, an hour and 15 minutes away.
When you arrive, drop off your hire car and grab some snacks before boarding your overnight flight home. With another quick layover, the journey will take between 12 and 15 hours, and you’ll touch down the next morning, having already dreamed up your next family getaway.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
DISCOVER SAINT-FRANCOIS MARKET
For an insight into local life, rise bright and early and meet a friendly guide for a tour of Saint-Francois Market. Stroll past stalls piled high with ultra-fresh fruit, aromatic spices and local handicrafts, learning about Guadeloupe’s culture and picking up some tips for the rest of the trip. Before you leave, be sure to stop for a scoop of coconut sorbet – a local speciality.
Why visit Guadeloupe with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Guadeloupe
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
