The Segmental Info System

Going to Guadeloupe

Most travelers visit the Caribbean during the busy tourist season

Photo credit: © Fouquin Christophe | Dreamstime.com
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Going to Guadeloupe can be a unforgettable experience any time of year. However, many travelers choose to visit during the tourist season, when the weather in the Caribbean is more agreeable and when hotels and services are operating at full capacity.

Weather often plays a huge factor as vacationers decide what time of year to visit Guadeloupe and the Caribbean. Travelers who live in destinations in the northern United States, Canada, and Europe will typically look to vacation in temperate and warm destinations such as the Caribbean during the bone chilling winter months. The white sandy beaches of the Caribbean provide a stark contrast to the white snow experienced elsewhere, and travelers flock to the Caribbean in large numbers for a respite from the cold.

Although the weather in the Caribbean is temperate and tropical throughout the year, vacationers will find the weather to be most pleasant during the winter months. Winter is also the most popular tourist season and lasts from mid-December to mid-April. The average temperature in Guadeloupe is 82 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, and 76 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. Yearly temperatures typically range from a low of 73 degrees Fahrenheit to a high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The average humidity is 77 percent, and although cooling trade winds make the climate temperate throughout the year, travelers may find the weather most cooperative in the winter. The rainy season in Guadeloupe lasts from July to January, with the heaviest rain occurring between June and October. Additionally, due to it location in the Leeward Islands, Guadeloupe is subject to strong Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms, which periodically inflict significant damage on the island. The Atlantic hurricane season begins in June, and lasts until the end of November, when tourists began to flock to the island. Although the tourist season lasts from mid-December to mid-April, many travelers also visit Guadeloupe during November and May.

Although the weather is more appealing in the Caribbean during the busy tourist season, there are also reasons to visit the island during the off season, generally from May to November. The weather on the islands should still be pleasant during this time, and travelers can save significantly by traveling during these slower months. Discounts of up to 50 percent are offered on everything from airfare to hotel accommodations, and travelers should find it much easier to secure reservations during this period. Diminished crowds in Guadeloupe will make it easier for travelers to make reservations for dinner, golf, and watersports. Shoppers will also enjoy more elbow room as they browse for French and tropical goods.

Travelers visiting the island during the off season should keep a watchful eye on the weather developments of Atlantic storms prior to and during their trip. Additionally, many shops, businesses, and restaurants may shorten their hours or even close for weeks or months at a time during the slow season. Visitors to Guadeloupe should take the possibilities of closings into account as they plan their trip activities. Many hotels and resorts will use the slow months to perform construction and renovations to improve their property. Speak with your hotel to learn about the extent and scope of construction that will occur during your stay, as well as the location of the construction in relation to your room.

Visitors who wish to avoid construction, closings, and possible foul weather can travel during the busy Caribbean tourist season. Airlines and hotels are often booked far in advance for this season, so travelers will need to make their reservations several months prior to their travel. Costs will be at their premium during this time period, but hotels and restaurants will also be running at their maximum capacity. Hotels are likely to offer increased amenities and benefits such as entertainment and activities during this period. Restaurants may extend their hours and take on more staff to accommodate the large influx of travelers. The islands' social scene and nightlife will also tend to be most vibrant and exciting during this period.

Seasonal events and festivities can also provide occasion for travelers to visit Guadeloupe during certain periods of the year. Carnival, beginning in January and lasting through Ash Wednesday, is a festive period complete with music, dancing, pageantry, and costumes. A day long carnival and celebration also occurs during Mid-Lent. Marie Galante has an international festival celebrating Creole blues in May, and there is a jazz festival in Pointe-á-Pitre in December. July sees the summer festival of Guadeloupe, a month long celebration of food, culture, and history. Bastille Day occurs on July 14th. The Tour of Guadeloupe, a competitive cycling race, takes place in August.

No matter when you decide to visit Guadeloupe, this multi-island nation offers exciting culture and activities.

 

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