Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe)

Where ships dock

Walk; the terminal is in Pointe-à-Pitre, and the city center is easy to cover on foot.

• Cruise Terminal Guadeloupe Port Caraïbes, Pointe-à-Pitre

Best time to go

The port publishes no season calendar we could read; check your cruise line's itinerary.

The dry season (carême) runs December to May and is the best time for beaches; January to May is best for hiking. June to November is warmer and more humid, with short late-afternoon showers, and hurricane season peaks in August and September. Monthly highs run about 82–88°F (28–31°C). The Route du Rhum sailing race finishes in Pointe-à-Pitre between October 30 and November 8, 2026.

Ship tour or go independent?

Doing Pointe-à-Pitre on your own is easy: the ship docks next to downtown, so the market, squares and museums are a walk away. For beaches, catamaran trips or the Basse-Terre rainforest, booking your own tour gives you more choice, often smaller groups, and a day at your own pace. The ship's own excursions suit anyone who would rather leave the timing to the cruise line, especially for the longer rainforest and volcano trips. Browse the tours below and use the time-ashore filter to find one that fits.

• Taxis run on a meter outside the fixed airport–port fare, so ask for a rough price before you ride, and keep the receipt.
• La Soufrière's summit trail alone takes about 4.5 hours round trip, and the craters can only be visited with a mountain guide. Pick a tour that fits your time ashore.
• Rainy-season trails to the Carbet Falls get muddy and slippery. Wear sturdy shoes and allow extra time.
• Demonstrations can happen at short notice and may disrupt local transport. Check local news on the day and allow a buffer.
• Build in a time cushion for the trip back; once the ship sails, you need to get to the next port on your own.

Getting around

No rideshare

• WalkThe terminal is in Pointe-à-Pitre, and the tourism board calls the city center pedestrian-friendly. The museums, the market and Place de la Victoire are all in the center.
• TaxiMetered; card acceptedTaxis must have a visible meter and a working card reader; you can pay by card for any amount, and you get a receipt when the fare reaches €25. The government sets a fixed fare between the port and Pôle Caraïbes airport, with €4 per passenger from the fifth passenger and no wheelchair charge. Other trips are metered.

  Port ↔ Pôle Caraïbes airport

  €25 fixed

• BusThe Karu'lis network serves Pointe-à-Pitre, Les Abymes, Baie-Mahault, Le Gosier, Sainte-Anne and Saint-François, seven days a week. Fares depend on the zone, and you can buy a ticket from the driver. Check routes and times on karulis.com.

The tourism board's transport page lists taxis, car hire and boats, and no rideshare app. Plan on a taxi, the Karu'lis bus or a tour.

Money, tipping & phones

Money

Guadeloupe uses the euro. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in restaurants, gas stations and large stores; American Express less so. Bring some cash for markets, food trucks and beach bars. There are ATMs on all the islands, though not many on the smaller ones, and you can change US dollars at the airport or at some exchange offices downtown, though rates may not be great. Ask your bank about foreign transaction fees.

Must-sees

• Mémorial ACTeWalkableOpened in 2015 on the site of a former sugar refinery on the seafront, it covers the history of slavery and the Caribbean with exhibits, art and a memorial garden with sea views.
• Saint-Antoine market and Place de la VictoireWalkableThe busy market for spices, fruit and rum, and the palm-lined main square with Creole houses and cafés.
• Le Gosier and Îlet du GosierRide neededFamily-friendly La Datcha beach, with a boat or kayak across to a small islet with a lighthouse and clear water for snorkeling.
• Sainte-AnneRide neededA shallow, reef-protected lagoon at La Caravelle beach, plus a seaside market for spices, rum and crafts.
• Carbet FallsRide neededThree waterfalls in Guadeloupe National Park on Basse-Terre. The second fall is the easiest, with a short trail to a viewpoint.
• La SoufrièreRide neededThe highest peak in the Lesser Antilles, at 1,467 m. The national park rates the summit trail from Bains Jaunes as difficult, about 4.5 hours round trip.

Free & cheap near the pier

• Place de la VictoireFreeA palm-shaded square lined with Creole houses, statues and cafés in the middle of town.
• Saint-Antoine marketFree to browseSpices, tropical fruit, rum and crafts. Open daily; Saturday mornings are busiest.
• Street art and the iron churchFreeMurals around town, and Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, nicknamed the iron cathedral for its metal frame.
• Cascade aux ÉcrevissesFreeA waterfall and swimming pool in the national park, a short flat walk from the car park. You need a car or tour to get there.

Eat like a local

• BokitFried bread split and stuffed with meat, fish or vegetables. The island's go-to sandwich.
• AccrasSpiced salt-cod fritters, served as a snack or starter.
• ColomboA curry-spiced stew of chicken, pork or goat.
• Grilled fish and dombrésTwo Creole staples you will find at the cantinas in Pointe-à-Pitre's market.
• Ti-punchRhum agricole, lime and a little cane sugar, served as an aperitif.
• Tourment d'amourA tart from Les Saintes with a coconut, vanilla and rum filling; guava and passion-fruit versions too.

Rainy-day backups

• Mémorial ACTeA large museum and memorial on the history of slavery and the Caribbean, with interactive exhibits, contemporary art and audio guides in six languages.
• Saint-John Perse MuseumA colonial house in town honoring the poet born in Pointe-à-Pitre, with a look at 19th-century Creole life.
• Schœlcher MuseumA small museum honoring Victor Schœlcher, who led the 1848 abolition of slavery.
• Guadeloupe AquariumIn Le Gosier, next door to Pointe-à-Pitre; a family-friendly look at Caribbean sea life.

Safety & scams

Official advisoryUS State Dept: Level 1 — Exercise normal precautions (as of August 20, 2026)

• Petty crime such as purse snatching happens. Don't leave valuables unattended, and avoid isolated spots, including beaches, after dark.
• The UK says demonstrations and marches are more likely at present, sometimes at short notice, and may disrupt transport or bring local curfews. Steer clear of crowds and follow police advice.
• Dengue is a risk, especially after the rainy season. Use insect repellent and cover up.
• Hurricanes and tropical storms are the main weather risk. Hurricane season runs June to November.
• At La Soufrière, the sulfur gas is highly toxic. Never cross the protective barriers.
• Healthcare is very good, but bring travel insurance that covers treatment and medical evacuation. For an ambulance, dial 15 or 18.

From official government and port sources. Check the latest advisory before you travel.

Accessibility

At the pier

Ships dock at the cruise terminal, so there is no tender. Neither the port nor the tourism board publishes step-free details for the terminal.

• Taxis may not charge extra for a wheelchair.
• Sainte-Anne beach has floating beach wheelchairs.
• The Cascade aux Écrevisses path is about 200 m, flat and suitable for reduced mobility.
• The viewpoint on the second Carbet Falls trail is reachable for people with reduced mobility.
• The tourism board's accessibility page suggests the Guadeloupe Aquarium, though it gives no access details.