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Food and Drink
Local food on Guadeloupe is a wonderful mix of French meets Creole with a bit of African and South-East Asian thrown in. It's often hot and spicy, with lots of fish specialities. Dishes include lobster, turtle, red snapper, conch and sea urchin. The more formal restaurants will require appropriate dress.
Things to know: There are no licensing restrictions. Island specialities: • Boudin Creole (a spicy blood sausage). • Goat Colombo (a dish based on an Indian curry). • Calaloo (soup made with bacon and spinach-like greens). • La Creole (fish stew similar to the French bouillabaisse). • Accras (fritters made from cod or vegetables). Island drinks: • Rum punch (a brew of rum, lime, bitter and syrup). • French wines. • Champagnes. • Liqueurs. Legal drinking age: 18. Tipping: 15% is often included on the bill. Nightlife
There are plenty of restaurants, bars and discos, with displays of local dancing and music. The famous dance of the island is called the Biguine, where colourful and ornate Creole costumes are still worn. Guadeloupe's main resort is Le Gosier, on Grande-Terre, which is full of small restaurants that come alive at nightfall to the sound of zouk - a style of music developed in the French Caribbean. There are two casinos on Guadeloupe, in Gosier and St François. Opening hours are 2030-0300. Slots open at 1000.
Shopping
Worthwhile purchases are French imports, including perfume, wine, liqueurs and Lalique crystal. Local items include fine-flavoured rum, straw goods, handmade lace, bamboo hats, voodoo dolls, and objects of aromatic Vetevier root. Traveller's cheques give a 20% discount in some shops.
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1800, Sat 0830-1300. |
