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Guide to Pointe A Pitre, Guadeloupe
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Pointe A Pitre
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Pointe A PitreUpon the edge of one of Guadeloupe's amoeba-like landmasses, officially dubbed Grand-Terre, Point-a-Pitre sits in a semi-modern, commercial, and industrial state, well off enough to accommodate thousands of visitors each year, but undoubtedly topped to the brim in obstructions from high rises to illegal wares hawkers. It's easy to get lost in the sheer magnitude of Pointe-a-Pitre's belongings, but to be fair, it has retained quite a bit of the charm held here in overabundance decades prior to today. Some may be intrigued by the city's nouveau riche environment - mixed, of course, with a gritty underbelly which dominated the metropolitan area for years in the fourth quarter of the 20th Century - but many remain unaware of the hardships endured by Pointe-a-Pitre. Having experienced massive devastation, repeatedly, the city is something of a marvel to have even withstood the test of time since it's emergence on Guadeloupe's coastal landscape. If you're to visit one place within the city, your bet is either to stroll the waterfront, where cafes abound in such large numbers that one wonders if this tropical Atlantic locale is to take over as the world's largest producer of the coffee bean, stripping Colombia of its crown, or to journey to the city's markets, outdoor and indoor. Everything can be found somewhere or other in Pointe-a-Pitre, and it's typical for one to first look at the sites where vendors from throughout the region coalesce. Tourists are too often taken advantage of, however; haggling is a necessity.
When to go:
Though it sits mostly within the mid-Atlantic region of the world, Guadeloupe is known as a Caribbean location. Here, pleasant weather subsists off the calm environment through the year, in effect creating a now well-established standard that only breaks from its routine when large storms find their way to the area. Hurricane season is late summer to mid-autumn. Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit Pointe-a-Pitre, not only for its inviting climate, but with the off-season comes the benefit of a lower crowd volume. You'll notice no diminishment in the busyness at or in the city's social or commercial hubs, however, landmarks and the general waterfront is less populated, making for an overall decrease in shoulder-bumping and other nuisances.
Getting there and around:
Guadeloupe Pole Caraibes, a modern terminal closely positioned to the water, is where most of the island's air traffic comes in/goes out. The airport has everything the average traveler may want or need, and you'll have plenty of transit options to get you into the city after you've claimed your baggage. Taxis are always available, and buses run on a relatively frequent cycle. Car rental agencies are on site as well. Few tend only to experience Point-a-Pitre when traveling to Guadeloupe, but if you're a sucker for city life, you can get by very well with a combination of buses and taxis. Sole reliance on Pointe's private transit services may drain your funds more than expected; a steady balance is recommended.
Attractions:
All of Pointe-a-Pitre's traffic is governed by the beautiful Place de la Victoire, a green patch amidst heavy congestion and tall buildings situated in the center of town. Nearly every resident of the city comes to Place de la Victoire sometime or other during the week, so don't count on the sight of an open bench for a midday rest. Most shade seekers opt for lounging upon the plentiful grassy spaces. If you've had enough lying around, you can head over to the waterfront, where markets compete for attention and business with cafes, restaurants, and specialty shops.
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