This French Caribbean island has black sand beaches, coffee plantations, and the dormant Mount Pelee volcano. Local farms produce high-quality cocoa amid green hills and cliffs.
Basse-Terre, the administrative capital of Guadeloupe, sits at the southwestern corner of Basse-Terre Island in the French Caribbean. From the city, you can hike to the rim of La Soufrière volcano, swim at black sand beaches, or watch local theater productions at L'Artchipel's 500-seat venue. The surrounding 17,000-hectare rainforest contains dozens of marked trails leading to waterfalls like Cascade aux Écrevisses, where you might spot the endemic Guadeloupe woodpecker drilling into tree trunks.
Geography and Climate
Basse-Terre extends over 3 kilometers along the Caribbean coast, with deep ravines cutting through its urban areas. The city rises from sea level to 164 meters toward La Soufrière volcano. The coastline includes black, pink, and ochre-brown sand beaches, with some pebbly sections. Temperatures average 27°C year-round, with heavy rainfall between July and November during the monsoon season.
National Park and Hiking Trails
The National Park of Guadeloupe encompasses 17,000 hectares of rainforest around La Soufrière volcano. You can choose from over 15 marked trails: try the 45-minute Cascade aux Écrevisses trail for an easy walk to a waterfall, or challenge yourself with the 4-hour climb to La Soufrière's summit. Look for Guadeloupe raccoons and brown tremblers along the paths. Start your hike before 8 AM to avoid afternoon downpours.
Urban Districts and Layout
The River of Herbs divides Basse-Terre into two main districts: Carmel and Saint Francis, which grew around the historic Grand Rue. A central roundabout links boulevard du Général-de-Gaulle with boulevard du Gouverneur-Éboué. In the northeastern and northwestern parts of the commune, local farmers cultivate banana plantations and tropical fruit orchards.
Maritime Transportation
You can take ferries from the maritime station to the Îles des Saintes throughout the day. Cruise ships dock year-round, though services often pause during rough seas from June to November. Large vessels anchor offshore due to the absence of a deep-water harbor.
Sports and Recreation
At the Rivière-des-Pères sports complex, you'll find a 1,600-seat Sports Palace and a 4,000-seat stadium with running tracks. The inter-communal swimming pool opens daily from 9 AM to 7 PM and runs swimming lessons for all ages. Throughout the year, you can watch matches of four local football teams or catch the Basse-Terre Rugby Club's home games at these facilities.
