National traditions of Guadeloupe. Habits, mentality and the way of living

Every tourist wants to see something unusual and unique during their vacation. Something they can talk about later and be proud of when they return back home. Cockfighting is one of the most unusual and interesting events that tourists can attend in Guadeloupe. For local people, this is one of the most popular entertainments. Ox races are no less cherished – these events always attract many viewers. As sugarcane is cultivated on Basse-Terre Island, there are plantations that tourists can visit. For this purpose, they need to join excursions to these farms. During excursions, visitors will find out how the sugarcane grows and how to produce sugar. These tours are short and educative journeys. Sugarcane is also a great ingredient for producing rum.

There are several distilleries that make rum in Guadeloupe. Rum is the national drink, true pride of Guadeloupe. It is present in the world’s top ten rum varieties. Every local knows the taste of rum. There are even celebrations dedicated to this drink. There is even a museum dedicated to rum in Sainte Rose. Rum is a strong spirit, but there is a variety with lower alcohol content – rum punch. The latter can even be present in cocktails for children. Naturally, local rum is a great souvenir that tourists can bring from Guadeloupe.

Guadeloupians have a peculiar approach to food. Don’t forget that Guadeloupe is a French overseas territory, and French people are true connoisseurs when it comes to food. There are many dining establishments that offer delicious and nourishing food in Guadeloupe. For example, Accras, local spicy cod fritters, are available in every restaurant as an appetizer. Numerous food trucks also offer this popular dish. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Local people love meat and fish. Local cuisine is delicious and diverse, but it is not easy to tell what cafes and restaurants offer delicious food judging by their look. The best way to find that out is to ask people, mostly local people, of course. Restaurants with rich décor can offer mediocre food and vice versa, a small café with plastic chairs can serve incredibly delicious dishes. In order to understand what food a particular dining establishment offers, tourists need to try it or seek advice from locals.

The same peculiarity applies to hotels in Guadeloupe. Sometimes a three-star hotel can offer a wider range of services and offer higher quality than five-star hotels. Taking into consideration this local peculiarity, tourists are better to book hotels depending on their preferences and feedback of other travelers rather than photographs in advertisements. If breakfast is not included in the total price, don’t be surprised when the hotel’s staff offers coffee with croissants, buns, and sandwiches. This is an old tradition that came to Caribbean France from continental France.

Basse-Terre Island is home to the largest insect in the world – the Hercules beetle that can be up to 18 cm long. In Guadeloupe, there are also many tiny hummingbirds that weight only 2-3 grams. Local beaches are separated in accordance with an unusual characteristic – black and white. Black sand is of a volcanic origin. All local beaches are well-kept and have soft and clean sand. Beaches with black sand are great for selfies and taking unusual photographs that will then amaze your friends and family.

Islanders are attractive – many Creole people are beautiful. The Creoles are descendants of Indians, Africans, and Europeans. They also make up the majority of the country’s population. Guadeloupians are not aggressive. They are friendly and cheerful. Local lifestyle is relaxed even in the biggest cities in Guadeloupe contrary to continental megalopolises. This tranquil atmosphere has a relaxing effect on tourists, so a holiday in Guadeloupe is an amazing opportunity to not only rejuvenate but also restore peace of mind.

Do not let this relaxed lifestyle trick you. Tourists shouldn’t forget that vacationers are always good prey for all kinds of thieves such as pickpockets. The crime level is generally very low in Guadeloupe, so theft is the most typical crime in the country. The safety measures are simple – keep your valuables in the vault in your room, do not leave belongings unattended in a rented car, and watch your pockets in public areas.

Despite the warm climate and resort orientation of Guadeloupe, local people do not wear beach clothing outside beaches. There are no strict limitations for tourists, but restaurants do not accept visitors in beach clothing. Beachside or poolside bars and cafes are the only exceptions. Local dress code is very simple: swim in a swimming suit, and don’t forget to put on some clothing on top of the swimming suit when heading to the city. This doesn’t mean that smart clothes are needed – usual summer clothing is enough. That being said, there may be the dress code (pants, shirt, dress, skirt, blouse) rules in some venues and events. Do not take pictures of local people without their permission. Don’t forget that they are not a landmark. Simply smile and ask permission.