Guadeloupe Country Report

Guadeloupe is located midway through the Leeward Island archipelago, marking the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. The two main (connected) islands are Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, with smaller islands including La Desirade, Marie-Galante, Les Saintes and Petite Terre. Guadeloupe became a French department in 1946, and in 1974 it became an overseas region of France. As such, the official language is French, although many of the islands’ inhabitants also speak Antillean Creole amongst themselves.

Guadeloupe, as a department of France, is part of a multi-party democracy and has enjoyed relative stability. Living costs are high on the islands, which depend heavily on imports and use of the euro. Tourism is a major source of income. Visitors, most of them from mainland France, are drawn to Guadeloupe’s resorts, forests and waterfalls, and the territory is a destination for cruise ships. Primary threats to foreign travelers include pickpocketing and other forms of petty crime, especially in crowded market areas, parks and beaches. Natural hazards such as hurricanes constitute the other primary risk.

Petty crime is among the main safety concerns for travelers on the islands. Episodes of violent unrest occur periodically and may lead to a heightened risk of exposure to localized violence. The conflict risk in Guadeloupe is negligible and any potenetial terrorist activity represents a low security risk.

Air travel represents a low safety and security risk, and overland travel in Guadeloupe generates a moderate safety and security risk. The electricity, phone and Internet networks cover the entirety of the territory and there is no specific issue with them. The French government identified cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism as a major threat to public and private services and industries. Measures are being taken to mitigate this threat.

Seismic activity generates a low security and safety risk. However, Guadeloupe is located in a region subject to tropical cyclones and heavy storms which periodically generate a moderate safety and security risk; hurricane season generally lasts from June through November, with activity peaking by September. Climate conditions in Guadeloupe are consistently tropical throughout the year. The risk associated with manmade hazards is low.

Health and medical concerns generate a moderate risk in Guadeloupe. Notable health-related concerns stem from mosquito-borne diseases, notably dengue fever. The quality of healthcare services is adequate in major urban centers, but quality varies significantly in more rural areas. Serious and complex medical cases may require evacuation. The vast majority of standard international pharmaceuticals are available throughout Guadeloupe. Tap water is considered safe for drinking unless otherwise specified.

Guadeloupe is politically stable. Corruption generates a low operational, business and reputational risk, and the French political system safeguards the independence of the judicial branch. Authorities are in firm control of the entirety of the department. Guadeloupe, as with the rest of France, is exposed to Russian counter-sanctions.