Capital: Basse-Terre
Time zone: GMT – 4
Telephone services: Country Code: 590
Outgoing Code: 19
Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 112, Ambulance – 434. All services – 911.
Tourist information: Police – 17, Fire and Ambulance – 18
Passport information: All travellers must have a valid passport except: EU Nationals and nationals of Andorra Liechtenstein, Monaco and Switzerland, who may travel holding an expired passport provided it expired within the last 5 years, or a valid national ID card. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact the Embassy before departure.
Visa information: See France, but specify Guadeloupe when making application.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from visitors over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.
Currency: French Franc (Ffr) = 100 centimes.
All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in French francs are welcomed.
ATM availability: Unavailable
Cost of living: Expensive due to a 15-30% tax levied on services depending on the time of year
Languages: French. Patois and English are widely spoken.
Weather: Warm weather all year round. Main raining season June – Oct. High humidity at times.
Electricity: 110/220 volts AC, 50 Hz.
Post: Post will take Approx. 1 week to Western Europe.
Transport: SEA: Regular ferry services move around the island. BUS: There is a good bus service. CAR HIRE: Many companies are present. DOCUMENTATION: National driving licence is sufficient. One years driving experience is required. IDP is advised.
Special information: Guadeloupe is a French overseas department and the French culture is clearly evident.