FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Pointe-a-Pitre

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Guadeloupe each year. The main ones are listed below.

On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!

Commemorates the Allied victory in Europe that ended World War II on this day in 1945. Various ceremonies are held around town.

Celebration eagerly awaited by all Guadeloupians and consisting in cultural encounters, exhibitions and remembrance marches, organised in memory of all victims of slavery.

Also celebrated internationally as World Music Day, for this festival many free concerts featuring all types of music are organised across Guadeloupe's streets and parks, in a festive and friendly atmosphere!

This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution. It plays as a symbol of the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. In Guadeloupe, military parades take place each year on the occasion.

Remembrance and celebration of the part played by Victor Schoelcher in the abolition of slavery in Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint Martin. Each year on this day, parades and other events are held.

On this day, citizens gather at the war memorial in Pointe-à-Pitre to commemorate the signing of the 1918 Armistice officially bringing an end to the First World War.

On the night of December 31^st, the atmosphere is particularly festive on the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre, with families and friends celebrating the new year.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Pointe-a-Pitre

• A dry season, called Carême (Lent), which extends from January to June.
• A rainy season, called Hivernage (Wintering), which extends from July to December.

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	21/70	29/84	83/3.3	Good period to go
February	20/68	29/84	60/2.4	Good period to go
March	21/70	29/86	70/2.8	Good period to go
April	22/72	30/86	96/3.8	Good period to go
May	24/75	31/88	134/5.3	Good period to go
June	24/75	31/88	108/4.3	Good period to go
July	24/75	32/90	130/5.1	Not the best period to go
August	24/75	32/90	169/6.7	Not the best period to go
September	24/75	32/90	206/8.1	Not the best period to go
October	23/73	31/88	214/8.4	Not the best period to go
November	22/72	30/86	214/8.4	Not the best period to go
December	21/70	30/86	134/5.3	Good period to go

Guadeloupe Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet Airport

The International airport of Guadeloupe Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet is located about 3 kilometres (2 miles) north of the city of Pointe-à-Pitre.

• Two terminals:
  • Terminal 1 (Air France)
  • Terminal 2

• By car
  • There are three parking facilities: P0 (drop-off, first 10 minutes are free), P1 (short-term parking, first 15 minutes are free, then EUR 3 for 1 hour) and P2 (long-term parking, EUR 30 for 24 hours then EUR 5 per extra day)
  • Several car rental companies have counters at the airport.
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available just outside the airport. The fare to Pointe-à-Pitre is about EUR 25 (night fare is EUR 32).
• By bus
  • The AE1 bus line of the Karu'lis network (https://karulis.com) connects the airport to the city centre of Pointe-à-Pitre. EUR 1.20 each way.
• Services: shops, bars, restaurants, free internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +590 (0)5 90 21 14 72
• Website: www.guadeloupe.aeroport.fr

GETTING AROUND Pointe-a-Pitre

Public transport is not very well developed in Guadeloupe. Renting a car is a good way to get around. Bicycling and walking are also excellent options, in order to fully appreciate the awe-inspiring landscapes of the islands.

By car

Getting around by car is a good way of visiting Guadeloupe. The network is spread out, and the roads are numbered and well-maintained. Several car rental companies have counters in the airport and in Guadeloupe's main towns and cities (from EUR 15 per day). Various free parking spots are available through town. For the others, parking starts at EUR 1 per hour.

By taxi

There are taxi stands at the airport and in the cities of Pointe-à-Pitre and Basse-Terre (expect about EUR 1.50 per kilometre). Fares are higher at night and on Sundays and holidays (about EUR 2.25 per kilometre). If you will be moving around quite a bit, you will definitely want to consider renting a car instead.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Guadeloupe, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Offers practical information (sightseeing, tours, heritage sites and cultural institutions, nights out on the town, etc.), maps and brochures for tourists about Guadeloupe.

• Address: 5 square de la Banque, BP 555, 97166 Pointe-à-Pitre
• Telephone: +590 (0)5 90 82 09 30
• Website: www.lesilesdeguadeloupe.com/tourism/en-FR

Medical information

In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus

Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire

See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Pointe-à-Pitre counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Guadeloupe.

For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38 quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

Tap water is safe to drink in Guadeloupe.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+590

+ phone number (without 0)

-6 : 00
of time difference with
Paris

No daylight savings in Guadeloupe.

BANKS

Usually open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

220 V / 50 Hz

Tipping?
In Guadeloupe like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.