Travel Summary
- There are confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in Guadeloupe (source: the local authorities). The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. The French Authorities advise that travellers in Guadeloupe who think that they have flu symptoms should telephone "15" or contact a local General Practitioner for advice and assistance. Please see further information on what to do if you are in Guadeloupe and think you have flu symptoms. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.
- Guadeloupe is a French Overseas Territory. There is no formal British diplomatic or consular representation. See the General section of this advice for more details.
- Several hundred British nationals visit Guadeloupe each year. Most visits to are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Guadeloupe in 2007 was dealing with arrests or detentions. Although the risk from crime is also low, it does exist and you should take normal common-sense precautions. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
- The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
- Although the risk from crime is also low, it does exist and you should take normal common-sense precautions. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
- The hurricane season in Guadeloupe normally runs from June to November. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice for more details. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical Cyclones for more details.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Guadeloupe. You should check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. For more general information see Terrorism abroad.
Crime
You should take sensible precautions and avoid isolated areas, including beaches, after dark. Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. Valuables and travel documents should, where possible, be left in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes. For more general information see Victims of crime abroad.
Local Travel
Protests against the price of fuel are causing serious disruption to services in Guadeloupe. Traffic has been halted across the islands and only emergency services vehicles are able to circulate freely. Tourists have been advised to stay at their hotels or airport and the local population to stay at home until the roads reopen to normal traffic. Talks between the protestors and authorities are continuing to try to settle the issue.
Local laws and customs
For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip.
Entry requirements
Visas
Guadeloupe is an Overseas Département of France (départements d’outre-mer). If you are a British Citizen or British Subject with Right of Abode in the United Kingdom, you will not need a visa to enter Guadeloupe. Other British passport holders should confirm the current entry requirements with the nearest French Diplomatic mission. All British passport holders require a valid passport. There is no minimum passport validity requirement but you should ensure that your passport is valid for the proposed period of your stay.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the French Embassy in London.
Health
There are confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in Guadeloupe (source: the local authorities). The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. The French Authorities advise that travellers in Guadeloupe who think that they have flu symptoms should telephone "15" or contact a local General Practitioner for advice and assistance. See further information and advice on what to do if you are in Guadeloupe and think you have flu symptoms. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.
General health care facilities, including emergency services in health service hospitals and the availability of doctors (GPs), in Guadeloupe are very good and of an equivalent standard to those found in mainland France. Specialist treatment is also available.
You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as nationals of Guadeloupe. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.
The EHIC provides emergency health cover for treatment in Guadeloupe by the French state health service for which you will have to pay but for which you will be able to claim back up to 70% of the costs on your return to the UK. Visitors travelling (or being air lifted) to Guadeloupe from other non-French islands specifically for medical treatment should be aware that such treatment will not necessarily be covered.
British nationals planning a permanent move to Guadeloupe, especially those who have not yet reached retirement age, should consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at the earliest opportunity to obtain advice on their longer-term entitlement as residents to health care provision under the French national system. Enquiries should be made to the DWP Overseas Medical Benefits help-line on 00 44 191 218 1999 which is open on Mondays to Fridays from 08.00 to 20.00 daily. Alternatively, information can be obtained direct from the English language service of the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (French social security service) on 00 33 8 20 90 42 12 or CLEISS (the Helpdesk in France for international mobility and social security - english version available) on 00 33 1 45 26 33 4.
Dengue fever is common to Guadeloupe. An outbreak is currently affecting Guadeloupe, including St Martin and St Barthelemy.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Guadeloupe and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
General health care facilities, including emergency services in health service hospitals and the availability of doctors (GPs), in Guadeloupe are very good and of an equivalent standard to those found in mainland France. Specialist treatment is also available.
You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as nationals of Guadeloupe. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.
The EHIC provides emergency health cover for treatment in Guadeloupe by the French state health service for which you will have to pay but for which you will be able to claim back up to 70% of the costs on your return to the UK. Visitors travelling (or being air lifted) to Guadeloupe from other non-French islands specifically for medical treatment should be aware that such treatment will not necessarily be covered.
British nationals planning a permanent move to Guadeloupe, especially those who have not yet reached retirement age, should consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at the earliest opportunity to obtain advice on their longer-term entitlement as residents to health care provision under the French national system. Enquiries should be made to the DWP Overseas Medical Benefits help-line on 00 44 191 218 1999 which is open on Mondays to Fridays from 08.00 to 20.00 daily. Alternatively, information can be obtained direct from the English language service of the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (French social security service) on 00 33 8 20 90 42 12 or CLEISS (the Helpdesk in France for international mobility and social security - english version available) on 00 33 1 45 26 33 4.
Dengue fever is common to Guadeloupe. An outbreak is currently affecting Guadeloupe, including St Martin and St Barthelemy.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Guadeloupe and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Natural disasters
Hurricanes
The hurricane season in Guadeloupe normally runs June to November. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the National Hurricane Centre. Please see Tropical Cyclones for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.
General
Insurance
If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How we can help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Consular Assistance
There is no resident British Diplomatic Mission in Guadeloupe. Routine consular matters are covered by the British Embassy in Paris. In case of emergency, contact the Honorary British Consul in Guadeloupe, 23 rue Sadi Carnot, 97110 Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe; (tel: 00 590 590 825 757; fax: 00 590 590 828 933).
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