Formalities

Visa :
For French citizens a valid identity card (CNI or passport) is required to enter the French West Indies. Attention: Minors who travel unaccompanied have to present both, an identity card and an official exit permit usually issued by local authorities.
In the case that your stay in our islands is inferior to 3 months, a visa is not required. All you need is a return ticket.


Entrance formalities :
During the flight or at the arrival at the airport, you might be asked to fill out a form with your name and address of your hotel. You might also be asked to prove that you have sufficient financial resources to for your stay and your return ticket.

Vaccination :
There’s no compulsory vaccination required. Solely visitors coming from infected countries have to be vaccinated against yellow fever.

Animals and plants :
To travel with your dog or cat a medical certicate of your veterinarian which proves the health of your animal and its aptitude to travel and also the validity of compulsory vaccination, tattoos and microchips (ask your veterinarian and your airline).
First category dogs (pitbull,…) are not allowed.
The import and export of vegetable products is strictly controlled. Generally, cut flowers are authorized. Concerning other plants ask the official plant protection organization at 0590 820 323.

Customs formalities :
Exempted are clothing and goods for your own use – 250 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco – 1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of wine or beer, 25cl of perfume.

Currency :
The euro is the official currency of the French West Indies with the exception of the dutch part of Saint Martin (US Dollar).
Traveller can import currencies without restriction at relatively stable rates.

Banks :
You will find banks in all cities on all islands and in all touristic areas. All banks on the island have the same official exchange rates even at the airport. More and more banks are equipped with automated teller machines with access 24/7.

Things to pack into your suitcase.

We provide you with some practical travel information to facilitate your departure :
Clothing/accessories :
Light and casual clothing for your excursions with however woolens for cool nights from September to February. Formal dress code is possible for some nights in the hotels, restaurants or casinos. However you will have th possibility to buy all necessary clothes in the town shops offering a good price-performance ratio.

Credit cards :
Major credit cards (Visa, American Express, Diner’s, Mastercard) are accepted in all banks, hotels and boutiques.
In the case that you want to block your card due to a loss, please call 00.33.8.36.69.08.80 (for French citizens).

Suncream :
It cannot be said often enough, protect yourself from the sun !
Having spent a long time without sunbathing, the first quarter of an hour without protection is fatal and could ruin your holidays.
Apply to the whole body with a sun protection factor of minimum 20 in the morning and evening and a minimum factor 40 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for swimming in the sea. Don’t forget the Biafine in the case of sunburn. You have been warned !

First-aid kit :
You can go on your journey with your mind at ease. The French West Indies is a salubrious destination for you and your children. There are no real dangerous animals and no tropical diseases. Solely sunburns, mosquitos and sharp coral must be feared. Thanks to well equipped drug stores on the island it is not necessary to bring your entire first-aid kit. Just think of pain-killers and drugs against stomach flu, bandages and a disinfectant as well as quality crèmes and sprays to proctect you from sun and mosquitos. Sexually transmitted diseases and Aids ...

Phonecards :
In public places all over the island you will find call boxes. Depending on your phonecard your calls are counted per second or per minute.
To call France from the island please type in the number with 9 figures.

Travel adapter :
Power supply is 220V. Most common are two-pin plugs (french) like in most european countries, but youy can also find three-pin plugs (english). Think of a travel adapter in the case that your electrical appliances need a different voltage.

Cameras :
It’s best to bring your own camera and all over the island you will find films at a reasonable price. Film development needs one hour and is cheaper than in Europe.

How to make your flight most comfortable

Here is some advice for a most comfortable fligh ...

Here is some advice for a most comfortable fligh :
There are regulations on taking liquids on board: contents (bottle, pot, tube) must not exceed 100ml and must be carried in a well sealed plastic bag in the type of a freezer bag (maximum 1 liter, dimensions: 20 cm x 20cm).
Baby food, children’s food and necessary medication for your journey is allowed .Passengers can be asked to prove the authenticity of products by tasting them or by presenting a doctor’s prescription (prescription, certificate of a chemist…).

For more information about affected liquid products, please visit the website of the DGAC .

Some additional advice for your comfort :
Please think of casual clothes and shoes.
To avoid heavy legs caused by immobility during your flight, we recommend to regularly stretch your legs.
Think of a sweatshirt or a waistcoat in the case that you’re sensitive to cold, a scarf because the air conditioning of the plane can be very cold. Are provided on board as well as socks on certain airlines (Air France,…).

More advice :
Cabin pressure at high altitude is not the same as at sun level. Major consequence : When taking off or during the flight, your ears ache from pressure, especially when you have a cold. You can counteract this by swallowing. Yawning and chewing gum are also very effective. For your baby, please think of a baby’s bottle. To counteract the very dry plane atmosphere, we recommend to drink plenty of fluids. For a better comfort please think of a headrest pillow. Think of ear plugs in the case that you’re sensitive to noise. Sleeping eye masks are usually provided on board (Air France, Air Caraïbes, Corsairfly,…).

Online customer complaint

Denied boarding, cancelled flight, severe delay, lost luggage… There are multiple problems which can occur during a flight. If necessary, it is now possible to file a complaint directly on the website of the civil aviation safety (DGAC) : www.aviation-civile.gouv.fr.
Forms are provided through the link “Passager aériens – Droit des passagers” on the home page.
Please fill out all elements concerning your complaint.

Useful everyday life information

Some precautionary measures :
In Pointe-à-Pitre and in some other districts: In the center of Pointe-à-Pitre and especially in the Carénage district please protect yourself from pickpocketing and don’t leave your personal things in the car.

Centipedes :
The bite of a centipede can be painful and cause fever.

Mancenilliers :
Beware of these trees in beach area often marked by a red circle to distinguish them. Their fruits have the form of small apples and are inedible for human beings. The trees are toxic and cause burnings and damages when being touched or in the case that you use them as a shelter from rain.

Matoutou :
This big kind of spider is very common in Martinique. Its bites can be very painful.

Snakes :
This trigonocéphale is a rare snake of Martinique. It’s bite can lead to death.

Beaches :
Attention : Waves and currents can be surprising at some beautiful beaches. Most beaches are unguarded.

Waterfalls :
Several water basins may inspire you to jump from surrounding rocks. Be careful! The depth of some basins is less than 1 meter and there may be aspiration phenomena.

Water – Electricity :
The tap water is safe on the entire island, but apart from the hotel we recommend to drink water from the bottle. Local brands provide cheap high quality water which can be bought almost everywhere. The electric current is 220 Volt and the sockets are the same as in Europe.

Letter and parcel post :
Postal service is very efficient and well developed. It takes approximately 4 to 6 days to send a letter to Europe. Stamps can only be bought in the post office which is open from Monday to Saturday from 8.15 a.m. to 12a.m. and from 2 p.m.to 4p.m.

Opening hours :
In general authorities are open from Monday to Friday from 9a.m. to 12 a.m. and from 2p.m. to 4p.m.. Shops are open from Monday to Friday from 9a.m. to 5 p.m. (or 6p.m.) and on Saturday from 9a.m. to 12a.m. Sometimes shops are closed from 12a.m. to 3 p.m. Each town has a closing day which is usually Thursday afternoon. Drug stores are open from Monday to Saturday from 8.30 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m. and 1 or 2 duty chemists open on Sunday (ask the hotel staff or take a look in the local press).

Tips :
Service is included in the invoice. Therefore tips are not generalized and are considered as a volunteer gesture of the customer. Since wages in restaurants and hotels are rather low, tips are always received with gratitude. In the case that you wish to reward the hotel staff at the end of your travel please ask the hotel direction for further information. Most hotels have a fixed tip policy (common pot which is distributed among the staff at the end of the year).

Day and night :
Sunrise is at 6a.m. and sunset at 6p.m. If you want to fully profit from your travel you have to get up and to go to bed ver y early just as local citizens.

Daily newspapers and magazins :
There are several local newspapers. Some book shops and the majority of the hotels offer a wide range of national and international papers and magazins with a delay of two days.

Language :
Administrative matters are in French. Creole is the everyday language of the people.

Shopping :
There is the possibility to do small daily shoppings in the cities and towns. There are supermarket where you can find almost everything. Some shopping malls can be found in high density areas.
Quelques grandes surfaces sont implantées dans les zones à forte densité.

Useful local adresses

Renseignements Touristiques :
Office du Tourisme de Guadeloupe : Les Iles de Guadeloupe
5, Square de la Banque - BP 555 97166 Pointe-à-Pitre cédex - 97110 Pointe-à-Pitre
Tél : 05 90 82 09 30 - Fax : 05 90 83 89 22
www.guadeloupe-fr.com/listeCompleteOT

Office du Tourisme de Fort-de-France :
76, Rue Lazare Carnot - 97200 FORT-DE-FRANCE
Tél : 05 96 60 27 73 - Fax : 05 96 60 27 95

Office Municipal du Tourisme de Saint-Barthélémy :
Quai du Général de Gaulle - Gustavia - B.P 113 -97133 Saint-Barthélémy
Tél : 05 90 27 87 27 - Fax : 05 90 27 74 47
www.st-barths.com/guidepgs/offtourfr.html
info.odtsb@wanadoo.fr

Office du Tourisme de Marie-Galante :
Rue du Fort - B.P. 15 97112 Grand Bourg - 97112 Grand-Bourg
Tél : 05 90 97 56 51 / 05 90 97 56 52 - Fax : 05 90 97 56 54
info@ot-mariegalante.com

Office du Tourisme de La Désirade :
Les Galets - La Capitainerie - 97127 La Désirade
Tél : 05 90 85 00 86 - Fax : 05 90 85 00 86
otladesirade@wanadoo.fr

Office du Tourisme des Saintes :
39, Rue de la Grande Anse - 97137 Terre-de-Haut
Tél : 05 90 99 58 60 - Fax : 05 90 99 58 48

Office du Tourisme de Saint-Martin :
Rte de Sandy Ground - Marigot - 97150 Saint Martin
Tél : 05 90 87 57 21 - Fax : 05 90 87 56 43
info@st-martin.org
30, rue Saint Marc - 75002 Paris France
Tél : 01 53 29 99 99 - Fax : 01 42 96 15 16
bureauparis@st-martin.org

Emergency : police and ambulance : : Dial 999 and ask for help.

Fire : Dial 995

Ambulance service SAMU : Dial 114

Weather forecast : Tel :302 60 71. In the hurricane season dial 96. We deeply recommend to watch the weather forecast before hiking in the mountains or swimming in the river especially because of pluviometry. A general advice: During the hurricane season try to get daily information about the weather.

Hospitals : Except from being in deadly peril and severe injury it is deeply recommended to visit a private clinic.

Doctors ADGUPS : Dial : 05 90 90 13 13

Ambulance : SAMU : Dial : 15

Police : Dial : 17

Anti poison center in Paris :Dial : 01 40 05 48 48

Regional Monitoring and Rescue Center : Dial : 05 96 59 86 92

Civil prefecture protection of the region of Guadeloupe : Dial : 05 90 99 39 40 / 05 90 99 39 48
www.guadeloupe.pref.gouv.fr

French Regional Weather Forecast Service : Dial : 05 90 89 60 60 - Fax : 05 90 89 60 75
guadeloupe@meteo.fr