The Basics

Time

No GMT offset.

Electricity

Electrical current in Guadeloupe is 230 volts, 50Hz.

Language

French is the official language of Guadeloupe.

Travel Health

Guadeloupe has good medical facilities, although not all doctors speak English. A vaccination is recommended for hepatitis A. Yellow fever vaccinations are required for those arriving from infected areas.

Local Customs

Guadeloupean society is famously welcoming and friendly, with a high emphasis placed on convivial social interactions between men and women. Social mores and etiquette in Guadeloupe reflect its colonial history (indeed, it is still subject to French Law); however, gender roles are perhaps more traditional than in European societies, with the bywords 'reputation' (for men) and 'respect' (for women) often being invoked.

Communications

The international dialling code for Guadeloupe is +590.

Duty Free

Visitors to Guadeloupe over the age of 17 may import up to 200 cigarettes/50 cigars/100cigarillos/250g of tobacco, and one litre of spirits/two litres of wine/two litres of alcoholic beverages up to 22%. Plants and vegetables are prohibited.