holiday in Guadeloupe (and Martinique)

[Jeannne92]

Thinking of going on holiday to Guadeloupe and maybe also Martinique, but we have never been and don't know anyone who has been. What's it like, what are good tips, please?

I’ve been to both, but just for the day from a cruise ship, so my opinion is based on this. Guadeloupe is very much the poor relation to Martinique
Guadeloupe was almost third world in places, huge holes in roads and we met a couple coming back from the church (we were heading to see) who said they had just been told turn back by a local who kind of indicated it just wasn’t that safe, so they immediately walked back down to the busier area.
Martinique was lovely, we drove right across the island to a beach at the other end of the island , it had a motorway and better roads . We passed some French patisseries that looked nice. It just seemed to have received much more investment from France than Guadeloupe or maybe they got the same but I’ve no idea what Guadeloupe did with their money. We were told many French people holiday in Martinique.

Just come back from Guadeloupe, had a wonderful time and thinking of going back soon, or maybe to Martinique.
Stayed in Deshaies on the very west of the island, which was lush tropical forest, and then St Francois, hired a car and drove around, to the zoo, botanical gardens, up the volcano, did paddle boarding through mangrove galleries and saw a sting ray swim by. Went for a day trip to Petit Terre island and swam on the same beach as little green turtles and baby lemon head sharks.

We did it fairly cheaply, not 5* or all inclusive, a gite with a lovely little pool in Deshaies and an apartment in Crystal beach in St Francois

Thank you so much, everyone. Both islands sound lovely.

Are there mosquitoes or other bugs?

And what is the cost of eating / drinking / visiting places, etc., please?

And how did you find the weather?

Will keep checking in on this as I really fancy Guadeloupe..... Death in Paradise probably plays a part in this. I'm hoping a couple of weeks there will turn me into Carmille/Florence chasing after the bad guys in shorts with nothing wobbling.

We are also strongly motivated by this series. Naomi, Camille and Florence are gorgeous! I would look a state in their clothes.