Guadeloupe had been inhabited by the Indians long before the arrival of the Europeans. They called it 'the Island of Beautiful Waters'. Nowadays Guadeloupe is a colorful mix of modern cities, picturesque villages, green tropical forests and isolated beaches with more than 70 miles of beautiful sandy beaches. Two of the islands, Grande-Terre on the east and Basse-Terre on the west, are separated by a narrow isthmus. The shape of the island, which resembles the wings of a butterfly, became a symbol of Guadeloupe. Mountainous Basse-Terre, rich in rivers, waterfalls and tropical forests, is the most beautiful region of Guadeloupe. After crossing the bridge connecting the coasts of Riviиre-Sali, one sees a scenic route to the famous National Park of Basse-Terre. To the south, there stretches a series of magnificent beaches, such as Deschamps, Bouyer, Pointe-Noire, Beylif, Malendur and others. The nearby islands are considered some of the best diving spots in the world.

Further south, the tourists will find one of the oldest churches on the island. The city of Basse-Terre, which is the historical and administrative center of the country, is famous for its St. Charles Fort, which is now a museum. It is one of the strongest fortifications on the island, as well as the market, the impressive building of the Prefecture, the Palace-Conseil Generale and the Palace of Justice. From a picturesque suburb of Saint-Claude one can take a tour to the mountains. The main attraction of Basse-Terre is, of course, its huge National Park. The park is declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and protects the mountain rain forests, which cover the slopes of mountain ranges stretching from the northwest to the southeast across the island. The park has collected a huge number of unique species of flora, including rare species of orchids and tree ferns, redwood, and Hevea. The eastern part of Guadeloupe, Grande-Terre, is famous for its picturesque beaches, a well-developed infrastructure, recreation and many attractions.

Pointe-a-Pitre is the main town and the economic center of the island. The city was founded as a slave market in 1654 and is now the largest city of Guadeloupe. The modern complex of the Saint-John Perse Centre, located near the harbor, contains a number of hotels, shops and restaurants. The charming port town of Saint-Francois is one of the starting points of the voyage to the other islands of the country. There are very few beaches, but there is a beautiful marina and a picturesque pier, surrounded on all sides by shops and markets, cafes and restaurants. Nearby is the only nudist beach on the island.

Le Moult, the old capital of the island, lies north of Saint-Francois. Here one will find some noteworthy sights, including the Museum of Archaeology and the excellent beaches of Lutry-Bordes and Baez. One of the most beautiful places in the country is the lagoon called 'Gate of Hell'. Two rocky cliffs face each other so closely that even the calm sea waters seem to be boiling when they break into the strait.

The small satellite islands of Guadeloupe are located mainly to the south and the east of the main island, forming a necklace of resorts and beaches. Most of them offer quite poor tourism infrastructure and some rural natural attractions. The most visited island of the country is Terre-de-O, a quiet and patriarchal place. Of special interest is Fort Napoleon with a system of fortifications, the Historical Museum, the cactus garden, the beautiful central harbor, numerous restaurants and excellent beaches. Marie-Galante is another quiet island with fine beaches that are just starting to get used by tourists.

Travel agencies in Guadelope can help you design your tour with less money. Guadeloupe tour operators are the travel specialists who know about organizing land arrangements in the country.