Basse-Terre travel guide
Our tips to make the most of your stay in Basse-Terre and the south of Guadeloupe.
Waterfalls and river pools
- The most beautiful waterfalls in GuadeloupeCarbet Falls, Écrevisses waterfall, Bassin Bleu, Saut d’Acomat, Paradis waterfall, Galion Falls, Matouba, Moreau Falls: access, hiking time, swimming.
- The Carbet FallsThe Carbet Falls in Capesterre-Belle-Eau: height of the three falls, trails and viewpoints, walking times, swimming rules, access from Basse-Terre.
- The Écrevisses waterfallThe Écrevisses waterfall on the Route de la Traversée: 5 minutes’ walk on a flat path, swimming pool, free entry. Access, best times and nearby sights.
- Bassin Bleu, GourbeyreBassin Bleu in Gourbeyre: access via the D10, 20 minutes’ walk, turquoise pool and waterfall, hot Bassin des Amoureux nearby. 15 min from Basse-Terre.
- Saut d’AcomatSaut d’Acomat in Pointe-Noire: 15–20 minutes’ walk down, 10-metre waterfall and big pool, no jumping, parking tips.
- The Paradis waterfall, Vieux-HabitantsThe Paradis waterfall in Vieux-Habitants: 1.5 hours’ walk, river crossings, emerald pool and basalt columns. Access and safety tips.
- The Galion FallsThe 40-metre Galion Falls below La Soufrière: a 6 km, 4-hour loop from the Bains Jaunes via the Armistice trail. Difficulty and tips.
- Matouba, above Saint-ClaudeMatouba above Saint-Claude: Matouba waterfall, hot baths, Delgrès memorial. 20 minutes from Basse-Terre.
- The Moreau FallsMoreau Falls in Goyave: 6.5 km, 2 h 40 hike, river crossings, ropes and ladders, a fall over 100 m high.
- Saut de la LézardeSaut de la Lézarde in Petit-Bourg: a 10-metre fall in a rocky amphitheatre, closed by municipal order. What to know and where to go instead.
Hiking and the Route de la Traversée
- Hiking in Guadeloupe: Basse-Terre trailsAll hikes in southern Basse-Terre and on the Route de la Traversée: distance, time, elevation, difficulty and official National Park trail map.
- The Route de la TraverséeThe Route de la Traversée through the National Park: Écrevisses waterfall, Maison de la Forêt, Bras David, the Mamelles, Guadeloupe zoo. Itinerary and stops.
Volcano and hot springs
- Hiking to the summit of La SoufrièreClimb to the summit of La Soufrière (1,467 m) from the Bains Jaunes car park: start point, duration, gear, weather and tips, minutes from Basse-Terre.
- Hot springs around Basse-TerreHot springs in southern Basse-Terre: Bains Jaunes, Bassin des Amoureux (Bain des Amours), Dolé baths, Matouba hot baths and Bouillante.
Beaches, sea and day trips
- Beaches near Basse-TerreRivière Sens, Grande Anse in Trois-Rivières, Malendure and the Cousteau Reserve, Grande Anse in Deshaies: beaches to discover from Basse-Terre.
- Malendure beach, BouillanteMalendure beach and the Cousteau Reserve (Bouillante): snorkelling with turtles, diving at the Pigeon islets. 40 min from Basse-Terre.
- Diving in Guadeloupe: the Cousteau ReserveDiving the Cousteau Reserve (Bouillante): Pigeon islets dive sites, Cousteau statue, wrecks, try-dives, snorkelling with turtles. 40 min from Basse-Terre.
- Guadeloupe’s mangroves and the Grand Cul-de-Sac MarinGuadeloupe’s mangroves: kayaking among the mangrove trees, the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin lagoon, Caret islet, trips from Sainte-Rose, Vieux-Bourg and Port-Louis.
- Deshaies: botanical garden, beaches and villageDeshaies: botanical garden (Coluche’s former estate), Grande Anse beach, La Perle, Leroux, the Death in Paradise village, restaurants. 1 h 15 from Basse-Terre.
- Les Saintes from Basse-TerreGetting to Les Saintes from Basse-Terre or Trois-Rivières: ferries, crossing time, Terre-de-Haut, Fort Napoléon, Pain de Sucre, Pompierre, Le Chameau.
- Vieux-Fort, the southern tip of Basse-TerreVieux-Fort, southern tip of Basse-Terre: lighthouse facing Les Saintes, Fort l’Olive, Anse Dupuy, snorkelling, Monts Caraïbes. 15 min from Basse-Terre.
Restaurants and food
- The best restaurants in and around Basse-TerreBest restaurants in Basse-Terre, Saint-Claude, Rivière-Sens, Trois-Rivières, Bouillante, Malendure, Vieux-Habitants and Deshaies: Creole food, sea views.
- Guadeloupe food: typical dishes to tryTypical Guadeloupe dishes: bokit, accras, colombo, Creole black pudding, court-bouillon, octopus fricassee, coconut sorbet, ti-punch. Where to try them.
- Rum, coffee and cocoa tours on Basse-TerreBologne distillery in Basse-Terre, Maison du Cacao in Pointe-Noire, Vieux-Habitants coffee and the La Grivelière estate: tours and tastings near Basse-Terre.
With children
Basse-Terre essentials
- Things to do in Basse-TerreFort Delgrès, the cathedral, the market, rum, La Soufrière volcano, waterfalls and beaches: our guide to Basse-Terre and southern Guadeloupe.
- Getting to Basse-TerrePôle Caraïbes airport, car rental, driving time and route to Basse-Terre: all the practical information to reach Les Terrasses du Fort.
- Business stays in Basse-TerreOn assignment in Basse-Terre? Furnished sea-view apartments in the town centre: Wi-Fi, equipped kitchen, invoice in your company’s name.
- Where to stay in Basse-Terre, GuadeloupeHotel, gîte or holiday rental: where to stay in Basse-Terre and southern Basse-Terre, which area to choose and how to book a night at the best price.
- When to visit GuadeloupeWhen to go to Guadeloupe? Dry season December–May, wet season June–November, hurricanes, carnival, temperatures.