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.

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 organized across Guadeloupe's islands.

This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution, and the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. It is commemorated with a variety of events throughout Guadeloupe, including military parades.

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	Not the best 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 and P1 (short-term parking, EUR 3.50 for 1 hour)
    • P2 (long-term parking, EUR 30 for 24 hours)
  • 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 20.
• Services: shops, newspapers
• Telephone: +590 (0)5 90 21 71 71
• 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 10 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 (about EUR 40 per day).

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Guadeloupe, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize 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 cedex
• Telephone: +590 (0)5 90 82 09 30
• Website: www.lesilesdeguadeloupe.com/tourism/en-FR

Medical information

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: http://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

There are no specific food safety risks. French government authorities promote good hygiene practices and put in place strengthened control procedures for sites especially frequented by tourists during the summer months.

Tap water is safe to drink in Guadeloupe.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+590

+ phone number (without 0)

-5 : 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.