Le lagon vert émeraude de Petite-Terre, en Guadeloupe

City guide

Basse-Terre

In the south-west of Guadeloupe, Basse-Terre is an ancient and imposing town. It is the administrative capital of the archipelago. Situated at the foot of the ‘La Soufrière’ volcano, it seems to be nestled within this rugged landscape, boasting a remarkable seafront promenade. Set in a beautiful mountainous region, a host of attractive activities await tourists.

Population11,730 inhabitants

Distance to the airport62 km – 1 hour

Icigo service providers9

Main attractions

Beaches
Diving
Guided walks
Yellow Baths
La Soufrière
Bologne Distillery
Botanical Garden
Beauvallon Park
Fort Louis Delgrès
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Basse-Terre
Large market

Details of activities in Basse-Terre

In Basse-Terre, the landscape is lush and green, with plenty of ups and downs! As you head down towards the sea and the beaches with their colourful sands, there are some remarkable diving spots awaiting divers of all levels.

As for the mountains, hikers who enjoy organised treks are in for a treat… magnificent banana plantations, sugar cane fields stretching as far as the eye can see, and the dense, humid and lush tropical forest plunging majestically into the sea! This flagship town is also the starting point for numerous excursions and discoveries, such as a visit to the Bologne distillery – home to Basseterre rum – and guided or self-guided hikes around the Bains Jaunes and La Soufrière.

Just like the people of Guadeloupe, make the most of the cool waters of the nearby rivers and the beauty of the beaches, which range from black sand to sugarcane-coloured sand. Don’t miss the Maison des Corsaires, the main market and the botanical gardens either.