Essentials
- City
- Pointe-à-Pitre, Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe (France)
- Population
- Approximately 15,000 (city proper), 310,000 (metropolitan area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 60-100 Mbps (Fiber available in central areas through Orange or SFR)
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (€). 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD. French and European banks are standard.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, though many locals prefer bottled or filtered water due to occasional pesticide concerns (chlordecone) in rural areas.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and E sockets (French standard)
- SIM Card
- Orange Caraïbe, SFR Caraïbe, and Free (Free offers the best roaming/data deals at €19.99/mo)
- Banking for Expats
- BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and digital banks like Revolut or Wise (highly recommended)
- Accommodation
- Villas, Apartments, and Gîtes. Prices range from €800 - €2,000/month.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted in most shops/restaurants; cash needed for small markets (Marché aux Épices).
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and Leboncoin.fr (local classifieds)
- Budget Accommodation
- Maison d'Hôtes (Guesthouses) like Maison de l'Architecture (approx. €65/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Le Gosier (beach access and nightlife, 10 mins away) or Bas-du-Fort
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Bas-du-Fort (marina views, cafes, reliable internet) or Jarry (business hub)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- SBA (Smart Business Africa) in Jarry – Approx. €25/day or €300/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Bagelstein at the Marina (Bas-du-Fort) – Good Wi-Fi and air conditioning
- Networking Events
- French Tech Guadeloupe meetups and events hosted by the CCI des Îles de Guadeloupe
- Social Events for Expats
- Facebook groups like 'Expats in Guadeloupe' and weekly ‘After-Work’ drinks at the Marina
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Karukera One (Local version of Uber/Bolt). Taxis are expensive (fixed rates).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Location de Scooters (Jarry) – Approx. €35/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Plage de la Datcha in Le Gosier (15 mins drive, swimmable at night)
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Antilles and Air Caraïbes
- Top International Airline
- Air France (direct from Paris), Corsair, and JetBlue (seasonal from JFK)
- Highway Access
- N1 and N2 connect the two main islands (Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare Routière de Bergevin (Major bus terminal for the Karu'Lis network)
- Public Transport Passes
- Karu'Lis Bus – €1.20 per trip; rechargeable cards available at the terminal
- Regional Travel
- Express des Îles ferries to Martinique, Dominica, and Saint Lucia from the Gare Maritime
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- CHU de la Guadeloupe (University Hospital) in Les Abymes
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Espace Karma in Baie-Mahault (Jarry) – Yoga and meditation classes from €20
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Orange Bleue or Keep Cool in Jarry – Approx. €40-50/month
- Laundry Services
- Laverie Automatique, Located near the Marina/Bas-du-Fort – Approx. €5 per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- FoodSavoir and UberEats (Limited areas)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Bokit (fried bread sandwich) at Chez Henri or from food trucks – Approx. €5
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Arc-en-Ciel in Pointe-à-Pitre for Caribbean-style vegetarian plates
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie de la Marine for French-Caribbean fusion pastries
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Carrefour Milénis (Mall) or local markets like Marché de la Darse
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr (shipping can take 10-14 days), Cdiscount
- Grocery Delivery
- Carrefour Drive or Houra.fr
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- La Marina de Bas-du-Fort (Bars like Zoo Rock Café)
- Local Brewery
- Brasserie de la Lézarde (Vernou) – Craft beer brewed with river water
- Wine Bars
- Vino et Finocchiona at the Marina
- Street Food Stalls
- Agoulou and Bokit trucks located along the Datcha beach road
- Popular International Cuisine
- Le Quai Ouest (Italian/French Fusion) at the Marina
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Mémorial ACTe (Center for Caribbean history and slave trade memory) - €15
- Museums & Art Venues
- Musée Saint-John Perse (Colonial architecture and literature history)
- Historical Sites
- Place de la Victoire (Historic park and monuments)
- Religious Sites
- Cathédrale de Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul (Iron structure by Gustave Eiffel)
- Annual Events
- Guadeloupe Carnival (January to Ash Wednesday)
- Cultural Districts
- The Harbourfront and the Spice Market (Marché aux Épices)
- Theater Venues
- L'Artchipel (National Stage for performing arts, located in nearby Basse-Terre)
- Local Markets
- Marché Fleurs de la Vie (Flower market at Place de la Victoire)
- Music Scene
- Gwoka percussion groups often perform live on the streets on Saturday mornings
- Street Art
- Murals in the 'Chemin des Fresques' project throughout the city center
- Cooking Classes
- Kréol Gastronomy in Le Gosier – Caribbean cooking workshops
- Art Galleries
- Pavillon de la Ville (Rotating contemporary art exhibitions)
- Historic Buildings
- Sous-Préfecture building (Napoleon III style)
- Local Heritage
- Madras fabric clothing and the traditional 'Gwo Ka' music heritage
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mangrove tours in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin (Departing from the port)
- National Parks Nearby
- Parc National de la Guadeloupe (30 mins drive toward Basse-Terre)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Boulevard maritime for sunset walks and light jogging
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Fort Fleur d’Épée for panoramic views of the bay and mountains
- Birdwatching Locations
- Marais de Port-Louis (Swamps and wetlands, 40 mins north)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly regulated; beach BBQs are common at Plage de Petit-Havre
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste (Colissimo), DHL (Jarry), Chronopost
- Tech Repair Services
- SOS iPhone Guadeloupe or iStore in Baie-Mahault
- Table Tennis Spots
- ASPC (Association Sportive de Pointe-à-Pitre)
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française de la Guadeloupe
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Médiathèque Achille René-Boisneuf
- Community Centers
- Centre Culturel Remi Nainsouta
- Gaming Lounges
- L'Espace Gaming (Commercial center Destreland)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino du Gosier (15 mins drive from P-a-P)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,800/m² (e.g., 30m² = €84,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,200/m² (e.g., 30m² = €66,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,600/m² (e.g., 50m² = €130,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,100/m² (e.g., 50m² = €105,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,400/m² (e.g., 75m² = €180,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,900/m² (e.g., 75m² = €142,500)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard French rate, but some local tax exemptions apply in free zones)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 12.8% (Flat Tax) or 30% total social/income tax package
- Tax System
- French tax residents are taxed on worldwide income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (+ surcharge for high earners)
- VAT
- 8.5% (Standard rate in Guadeloupe is lower than mainland France)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following French tax code Article 209 B
- Property Tax
- Yes (Taxe Foncière), varies by municipality
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 7-8% (Notaire fees)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; French 'Auto-entrepreneur' status available for residents which has favorable rates.