Basse-Terre

Not to be confused with Basseterre in St Kitts and Nevis.

Basse-Terre is the western island of the pair of islands that make up the principal land mass of Guadeloupe. It is full of waterfalls, rivers and streams, thermal springs , beaches of golden or black sand and a tropical rain forest covering its mountain range.

Understand

"Basse-Terre" means "lowland", but it is in fact mountainous, containing such peaks as Mount Sans Toucher (4,442 feet; 1,354 metres) and Grande Découverte (4,143 feet; 1,263 metres), culminating in the active volcano La Grande Soufrière, the highest mountain peak in the Lesser Antilles with an elevation of 1,467 metres (4,813 ft). The island was named "Basse-Terre" because it is on the leeward south-west side and sheltered from the winds.

In contrast to the rolling hills and flat plains landscape of Grande-Terre, Basse-Terre (the western wing of the island) has a rough volcanic relief. With fertile volcanic soils, heavy rainfall and a warm climate, vegetation on Basse-Terre is lush. The island's forests have mahogany, ironwood and chestnut trees. Mangrove swamps line the Salée River.

Get in

See Guadeloupe article.

Get around

See

• 1 Basse-Terre city , the administrative capital of Guadeloupe, is home to a range of colonial buildings. Furthermore, there are the 19th century Cathedral of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, the main square and adjoining Jardin Pichon.
• 2 Baie-Mahault is the industrial and commercial zone of Guadeloupe, nothing special to do or see. It has the biggest shopping mall of the island.
• 3 Death in Paradise filming location. Deshaies is the filming location for the town of Honoré on the fictional British island territory of Saint Marie in the Anglo-French production Death in Paradise. The beautiful scenery often features on the show. (updated Mar 2021)
• 4 Guadeloupe National Park (Parc national de la Guadeloupe). A 74,100-acre protected rainforest with plenty of trails for expert and novice hikers. It's also the only national park in Guadeloupe.  
  • 5 La Soufrière volcano. The park is home to the 1467-m-high peak of the highest mountain peak in the Lesser Antilles.  
  • 6 Carbet Falls. On the lower slopes of La Soufrière volcano is a series of 3 waterfalls on the Carbet River and one of Guadeloupe's main attractions.  
  • 7 Zoo de Guadeloupe, Route de la traversée, D23, Bouillante, ☏ +590 98 83 52. About 85 species of animals are represented in this popular garden and nature reserve. Hiking trails and hanging bridges will give you the feel that you are in the jungle. (updated Feb 2021)

Eat

• 1 Le Cabana Gril, Allee Saint Sauveur, Capesterre-Belle-Eau, ☏ +590 86 82 34. Caribbean and European cuisines serving both at lunch and dinner. (updated Dec 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Fleurs des îles, Deshaies (plage de Grande Anse), ☏ +590 590 28 54 44, contact@location-bungalow-guadeloupe.fr. The flowers of the Islands residence offers bungalow rental and rental cottages in Deshaies on the edge of the Caribbean in the middle of a tropical garden with swimming pool. WiFi. €34-55. 
• 2 Chalets Sous-le-Vent - Réserve Cousteau, Route de Poirier, Pigeon (Basse-Terre Region, 40 km from airport), ☏ +590 590989161. 7 fully equipped cottages located in a 2,300 m² tropical garden with a swimming pool and sea view, facing the "Réserve Cousteau" marine park in Guadeloupe. Diving spots and beach 5 min away by car. One chalet is fully equipped for disabled persons. Swiss owners and alumni of the Lausanne Hotel Management School. Special offers for scuba-divers. Cottages 2–3 people, bungalow with aircon 2-4 people, twin cottages 4–6 people.