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Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

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Basse-Terre Island: Diving, Waterfalls, & Volcano Hikes

Last Updated: February 11, 2022 · Guadeloupe

Basse-Terre island in Guadeloupe is wild, lush, and teeming with adventure! There are so many things to do and see from chasing incredible waterfalls like the Chutes du Carbet to scuba diving in the renowned Jacques Cousteau Reserve in Guadeloupe National Park.

Unlike the Grande-Terre—the main island of Guadeloupe—Basse-Terre is so green and tropical! 🌴 Between the Soufrière volcano and the palm-tree-covered hills, Basse-Terre feels like a jungly paradise.

The contrast of the black beaches with the golden ones you’ll find in Grande-Terre is just beautiful; it’s like yin and yang.

Read on to discover everything you need to know to plan your epic trip to Basse-Terre island in Guadeloupe in search of the islands’ many amazing natural gems and wonders.

Table of Contents show
How to Visit Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe
Getting to & Around Basse-Terre Island in Guadeloupe
Where to Stay on Basse-Terre
Best Things to See & Do on Basse-Terre
Scuba Dive in Jacques Cousteau Reserve
Hike Soufrière Volcano
Explore the Waterfalls in Guadeloupe National Park
Day Trip to Les Saintes Islands
Hike the Sentier Grande Pointe / Roches Gravées
Chill on Malendure Beach
Bathe in Natural Hot Springs
Visit Sleepy Deshaies
What to Pack for Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe

How to Visit Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe

1st Carbet Falls framed by rainforest tropical plants
Carbet Falls

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

✈️ Find cheap flights to Guadeloupe on KAYAK from $67+

🚗 Book your rental car well in advance on Discovercars.com

🏠 Stay at one of these top-rated hotels in Basse-Terre

🎒 Pack reef-friendly sunscreen and a travel power bank

💧 Remember to hydrate—fill a reusable water bottle and take 1L per person

📸 Bring your travel camera and drone gear for epic shots

🛡 Protect your adventures with SafetyWing, the global travel medical insurance for nomads

☀️ Sunset in Guadeloupe is around 18:00 (6 PM), turn around on any hikes before dark

Getting to & Around Basse-Terre Island in Guadeloupe

Exterior building of Pointe-à-Pitre airport in Guadeloupe
Pointe-à-Pitre airport

The Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (PTP) is the only international airport that serves the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe.

The airport is located in the western part of Grande-Terre, nearby Le Gosier and the highway connecting Grande-Terre to Basse-Terre island.

Once you land in Grande-Terre, your only option for getting to and around Basse-Terre is by rental car. It’s wise to go ahead and rent a car at Pointe-à-Pitre airport at least 2-3 months in advance before your trip dates. With the pandemic, car rentals in Guadeloupe are experiencing a surge in demand yet a shortage in available cars. It was such a struggle to rent a car when we were there—nothing was left! (And this was off-season.)

A rental car in Guadeloupe is simply a must for vacationers! If you don’t have a rental car for your time in Guadeloupe, you’ll find it very difficult to get around and do anything.

Where to Stay on Basse-Terre

market selling fresh fruits and vegetables in Bouillante
girl standing on stairs of Creole house with blue railing in Basse-Terre Guadeloupe

Basse-Terre isn’t very big, and you could road trip it within a matter of days. But to really appreciate the island and partake in its many adventurous outdoor activities, consider staying for at least a week. You won’t run of things to do—promise!

That said, not everywhere in Basse-Terre is ideal for a week-long stay.

While the location of your accommodation doesn’t matter that much if you have a rental car, you will save heaps of time driving around and getting stuck in traffic delays if you localize yourself somewhere on the west coast or the “Côte du Vent.”

The hot-springs town of Bouillante is home to beaches, thermal waters, and the Réserve Cousteau for diving and snorkeling around the Pigeon Islands.

female traveler wading in water at Pigeon Islands, Réserve Cousteau in Guadeloupe Caribbean

If you base yourself around Bouillante, you’ll be only 45 minutes drive from the cute seaside town of Deshaies, and only 55-ish minutes from the base of Soufrière Volcano.

The waterfalls in Guadeloupe National Park are scattered about, so you’ll need to do a bit of driving for those regardless.

I’d recommend spending 5-8 days in Basse-Terre divided into these destinations:

  • 3-4 days in Bouillante for Malendure beach, diving, snorkeling, restaurants, hot springs, and Guadeloupe National Park waterfalls!
  • 1-2 days in Deshaies.
  • 1-3 days in the south of Basse-Terre near Trois Rivières for an overnight trip/day trip to Les Saintes Islands and excursion to hike Les Chutes du Carbet Falls.

Looking for the perfect place to stay? We use Booking.com to find top-rated apartments and hotels wherever we go! ✨

Book by activity and location:

  • For easy access to the Soufrière Volcano hike — Gîte de la Vielle Sucrerie (St Claude)
  • Bouillante town, Cousteau Réserve, hot springs — Gîte La Nantillaise
  • Deshaies town, Grande Anse beach, more beaches — Mangoplaya or Langley Resort Fort Royal
  • Trois-Rivières (town with ferry to Les Saintes islands) — Bel Z’Iguane
  • Terre-de-Haut (islet of Les Saintes Islands) — Villa Le Sucrier

Best Things to See & Do on Basse-Terre

Scuba Dive in Jacques Cousteau Reserve

woman's legs and flippers while snorkeling in the Jacques Cousteau Reserve in Guadeloupe
female diver diving in guadeloupe
coral sponges in jacques cousteau marine park

Dive pioneer and adventurer Jacques Cousteau once dove around the Pigeon Islands, an area now known worldwide as the Jacques Cousteau Marine Reserve (or Réserve Cousteau). It was integrated into the Guadeloupe National Park and was eventually declared as the “heart” of the park.

It’s here you can witness some of the most beautiful dive spots in Guadeloupe. Read more about what it was like to dive at the Pointe Lézarde inside the protected marine park in my guide.

Hike Soufrière Volcano

Crater of Soufriere Volcano in Guadeloupe
soufriere volcano hike
Credit: Guadeloupe Advisor via Viator

Hiking Soufrière, the only volcano in Guadeloupe and the highest peak in the Lesser Antilles (1467 m)—was at the tippy-top of my bucket list. But, due to protests over the vaccine and several roadblocks, we couldn’t go.

If you do get the chance to do this awesome hike, prepare for incredible views and an intense workout. Soufrière is rarely clear, so if it’s an exceptionally clear day, stop what you’re doing and head up the mountain.

The trail difficulty is marked moderate-hard and takes around 3 hours. You can read more about the trails on Basse-Terre, including the ascent up to Soufrière and the Soufrière Loop trail on AllTrails.

Explore the Waterfalls in Guadeloupe National Park

Carbet Falls tumbles down the cliffside in the Guadeloupe National Park
hiker on bridge surrounded by tropical rainforest
Les Chutes du Carbet

Guadeloupe National Park is just incredible. It’s so lush, so wild, and bubbling over with raw beauty (sometimes, quite literally thanks to its natural hot springs!).

There are dozens of waterfall hikes to go on, but the jewel of them all just might be the tiered Carbet Falls deep in the rainforest. It’s even said they were logged in the journal of Christopher Columbus when arriving at the shores of Basse-Terre. (Can you imagine?)

Many other falls and springs can be found along the Route de la Traversée that cross the national park (and cuts cross the island of Basse-Terre so you don’t have to loop around from north to south).

Other waterfalls in Basse-Terre to take note of are:

  • Crayfish Waterfall (Cascade aux Écrevisses)
  • Saut de la Lézard
  • Saut de Matouba Falls
  • Acomat Falls
  • La Cascade Paradis
  • Saut des Trois Cornes
  • Bassin Bleue
  • Bras de Fort Falls

Day Trip to Les Saintes Islands

man driving scooter to beach in Les Saintes, Guadeloupe
Town of Terre-de-Haut with red roofs and turquoise water from the bay

One of the highlights of our time in Guadeloupe was our day excursion to Les Saintes — another subset of islets located just south of Basse-Terre. You can get there in 35 minutes by ferry.

Exploring Terre-de-Haut in one day was so much fun. No cars are on the island, as it’s so small and remote, so people only get around on foot, bike, or scooter!

If you have one or two days to spare, you must visit Terre-de-Haut (Les Saintes). It’s the traditional and well-kempt slice of Guadeloupe paradise with colorful Creole-style houses, cobbled streets, beachfront restaurants, and beaches galore!

Hike the Sentier Grande Pointe / Roches Gravées

girl hiking on the coastline in Basse-Terre Guadeloupe
girl hiking on the jungly coastline in Basse-Terre Guadeloupe
girl hiking on the coastline in Basse-Terre Guadeloupe

Hiking in Basse-Terre isn’t quite like what you experience hiking around Grande-Terre. While Pointe des Châteaux and Porte d’Enfer feature craggy cliffs and strong Atlantic winds and waves, the hikes on Basse-Terre are wet and wild.

I particularly loved the hike “Grande Pointe” south of Basse-Terre in Trois-Rivières.

This hike skirts the southern coastline and features an archaeological park with engraved rocks by the Arawak indigenous peoples who resided across South America and the Greater and the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean.

The river La Coulisse rejoins the ocean along this hike and actually leads you to another hidden waterfall. It’s best to go during the summer months, though, when there has been enough rainfall to hike up the river. I wouldn’t recommend doing it alone, so go with a group or find an outdoor guide who can safely take you.

Chill on Malendure Beach

Plage de Malendure Beach in Bouillante, Basse-Terre Guadeloupe

Malendure Beach is a popular black-sand beach just beyond the town of Bouillante. It’s the gateway to the Cousteau Reserve and the Pigeon Islands.

You can rent kayaks and SUP boards straight from one of the shops on the beach, eat cheap bokit sandwiches and churros from the beachfront shacks, or just watch the sun go down over the Caribbean Sea. It’s such a beautiful spot to relax (can get crowded, though).

Bathe in Natural Hot Springs

Woman bathing in "bains chauds" hot springs in Bouillante, Basse-Terre Guadeloupe
Hot springs in Bouillante, Guadeloupe

You can’t come to Basse-Terre and not steep in its thermal waters. Natural hot springs are aplenty on Basse-Terre, particularly in the town of Bouillante (thanks to the volcano!).

The “Bains Chauds du Bourg” is one of my favorite (free) hot springs; just simply wade in the sea and you’ll feel the incredibly hot water from the geothermal factory in Bouillante.

In fact, the natural hot water is so hot that the factory actually has to cool it before it sends it out into the sea! Les bains chauds de Thomas are also popular.

Visit Sleepy Deshaies

Deshaies, Guadeloupe. Credit: Stevegeer via Getty Images

Deshaies is one of the most popular towns to visit in Basse-Terre, besides Bouillante.

Apparently, it’s the traditional meets modern town of the island with enough restaurant options and beaches to keep tourists happy, while remaining down-to-earth and typical.

Chances are you’ve heard of it before if you’ve ever watched BBC’s hit show Death in Paradise, as Deshaies is the real-life filming location for it.

We didn’t get to visit during our time, so, along with Soufrière, I’m re-adding it to the list!

What to Pack for Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe

Male hiker looks at the 2nd Carbet Falls tumbles down the cliffside in the Guadeloupe National Park
female traveler overlooking Terre-de-Haut in Les Saintes islands in Guadeloupe France

If you are getting excited about traveling around Basse-Terre, amazing! Before you go, make sure to review this quick packing list to help plan your trip!

  • Bathing suit
  • Waterproof shoes for waterfall hikes
  • Biodegradable mosquito repellent (get some before you get here)
  • Reef-friendly sunscreen
  • Sunglasses and sun hat
  • Beach cover ups
  • Hiking trousers or shorts
  • Breathable shirts and tanks
  • Hiking sandals or boots (for Soufrière)
  • Scuba dive mask
  • Day bag
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Microfiber towel or beach towel

Basically, pack for tropical weather, hiking, beach adventures, and swimsuits for waterfall dips, hot spring soaks, and ocean dives! 🐠

If you have any questions about traveling in Basse-Terre, send me your questions in the comment section below. Bon voyage!

📍 LIKE IT? PIN IT!

By: Bri · In: Guadeloupe

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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