Cycling tour of Guadeloupe

Hello, I’d like to cycle around Guadeloupe during the Christmas holidays. I’d love to know if it’s dangerous, if it’s easy to rent a bike, and to find accommodation along the way? Thanks!

Hello!

Let’s just say that the locals’ very sporty driving style can make you feel unsafe on the roads. Honking is king, and overtaking is often pretty risky. Not to mention the state of the roads. Since Christmas is peak season in Guadeloupe, it’s best to book your accommodation in advance.

For bike rentals, you’ve got options like Décathlon. https://www.lokki.rent/loueur/decathlonguadeloupe

Cheers.

Capucine, How much time are you planning to spend in Gwada? I cycled around Guadeloupe and its islands for 6 weeks (January-March) in 2020. I had my own bike. The road conditions were really good. I especially loved Basse-Terre. The west side is quite pricey but so stunning. Marie-Galante is worth the trip. On Grande-Terre, there’s a lot of traffic, mainly between Pointe-à-Pitre and St-François. The N4 is narrow with little to no shoulder for cycling. People drive fast but were still respectful of cyclists since many train there. Otherwise, I found it really enjoyable to ride. Just be a bit more careful. The advantage I found is that the distances between towns/villages are short. So, you can stay in the same place for a few days and go on daily rides around the area. For accommodation, I had pre-booked Airbnbs. The prices I found were reasonable. On Grande-Terre, there are 2 youth hostels: Butterfly Hostel in St-François and Fredo Surf School & Camp on the N5 between Le Moule and Morne-à-l'Eau. There’s 1 youth hostel on Basse-Terre in Pointe-Noire: Jack Tavern Hostel. If you’d like more info on activities to do or places of interest to see, let me know and I can give you some tips.

Hi there 👋 Sorry for the late reply—thanks so much for taking the time to respond! I’m still torn between this, Oman, or Jamaica, but thank you so much!

Hi there! 👋 It’s so kind of you to reply with such a detailed answer—it’s really helpful! I’m torn between this, Oman, and Jamaica, but one thing’s for sure: it’ll be a 2-week trip for the Christmas holidays. I’m not sure what to do about my bike—I’m debating whether to bring it on the plane or rent one there. I’m planning to stop for a night’s sleep at each stage, not stay in the same place, and really do the full loop. And if I can combine that with some climbing at the end of the day, I’m all for it! 😄 Thanks again

Hey! If you decide to go to Gwada and you're not sure whether to bring your bike or rent one there, you could check Google Maps for a map of Guadeloupe and look up bike shops. There are a few. You’d just need to contact some to ask about rental rates, whether they offer rentals, and what types of bikes they have. You can easily spend 1 week on Grande-Terre and 1 week on Basse-Terre.

For my part, I had a lot of time ahead of me. I spent 3 days in Le Gosier to adjust to the climate, assemble my bike, organize my panniers, and enjoy the beautiful Datcha Beach and Pointe-à-Pitre. 2 days in Saint-François for the beach and a great visit to Pointe des Châteaux (a must-see). 1 night at Fredo’s Youth Hostel while exploring Le Moule and the surrounding area. 2 nights in Port-Louis for the beach but also to visit Porte d’Enfer, Pointe de la Grande Vigie, and Anse Bertrand. A stop in Morne-à-l’Eau to see the cemetery before heading to Sainte-Rose on Basse-Terre.

If you decide to go to Guadeloupe, I’d be happy to give you info on places of interest to see and activities to do.