Caribbean Joy Essential Happiness Retreat
FAQs
What time can I check into our beach house?
Our house is available for check in at 6 p.m. on the 10th. Check out is 11 a.m. on the 20th.
What is the address and directions to our house?
(Be sure to have this information with your passport in case the immigration officers ask where you are staying)
Sainte-Anne is about 30 minutes from the airport.
The Address is:
166 Section Castaing 97180 Sainte-Anne.
Here are the directions in French. You may want to print them and carry them with you to give to the taxi:
166 Section Castaing 97180 Sainte-Anne.
What is the outlet power?
The electric system in Guadeloupe is the same as in Europe (240V) so you will need to bring an adaptor for European plugs.
What is the spoken language on the island?
French is the main language spoken on the island. Locals will try their best to understand us, but if you bring a translation book or a translation app. that would be very helpful.
Can I use US dollar?
No. Best to stock up on Euros at an ATM once you arrive, or at home. Credit cards are widely accepted, however they must have a chip. FYI, when the merchant hands you the PIN card machine, you can just wait, or tell them it’s a signature card - the receipt will pop out automatically. Be sure to let your debit/credit card companies know each state, town, and country your travels will take you through so you can use you cards as you travel to and from Guadeloupe.
Is it easy to find wifi?
Access to wifi is hit and miss in restaurants and cafés. However, it is our understanding that we will have wifi at our house.
Will my phone work in Guadeloupe?
If your cell phone works in Europe, it will work in Guadeloupe too. If you have an unlocked phone, you can get a local SIM card and buy a data package. The main local phone companies are Digicel and Orange, Digicel is known to be the cheapest option, but Orange is the most convenient as there’s a shop at the airport.
The European emergency number 112 works in Guadeloupe, or you can call the police directly by dialing 17, a emergency doctor by dialing 15 and fire dept. by dialing 8.
What do I need to bring with me?
I always recommend to carry on the airplane with you an extra pair of prescription eyewear and your medications. Also anything else that would be hard to replace while on the island.
From what I have read they strongly recommend bringing your own snorkeling gear or goggles. You can rent snorkeling sets for about 5 Euros a day, yet they are not available on every beach.
Also, beach towel or a sarong
Is the tap water drinkable?
Yes. In sit-down restaurants you can ask for a free jug of tap water with your meal (“une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plait”) or buy bottled water.
How much does a meal cost?
A basic dinner meal with a glass of wine will run you about 28 Euros.
Lunch is about half of that. However, rum, wine, baguettes and cheese are all very affordable. Roadside food trucks and cafes serve all kinds of food such as kebab-style bokit, panina-style agoulou, plates of fried chick, pizza, crepes and/or baguette sandwiches. Bakeries have croissants and sandwiches for a couple of euros.
When eating at restaurants the tip is already added to the bill, no need to leave one. The bill is not brought to our table - instead we go up the counter to pay. We can ask for the bill to be split
Where can I buy groceries?
There are several big supermarket chains in Guadeloupe, with Leader Price being the least expensive and most basic. Most are closed on Sundays. Small independent stores are open every day with a siesta from 12-4 p.m.and they are also open Sunday mornings.
Is Guadeloupe safe?
Yes. Just use good traveling sense and be mindful of pick-pocketing, leaving valuables unattended on the beaches, and at night swim in town beaches (tell me what you mean, here) such as Plage du Bourge in St. Anne where folks swim well into the night.
What should I be sure to eat?
I am so excited!!! Check out this link:
What will the weather be like?
The weather is typically pleasantly balmy and steady year round with the temperature always hovering around 86F and occasionally it drops in winter to 68F early in the morning.
What is the time difference?
There is no difference between Florida and Guadeloupe.
Guadeloupe is three hours ahead of Seattle, Washington.
Will we be taking any tours?
Yes, if you’d like. I am putting together some choices and will let you know about them and the costs very soon.
Our house is available for check in at 6 p.m. on the 10th. Check out is 11 a.m. on the 20th.
What is the address and directions to our house?
(Be sure to have this information with your passport in case the immigration officers ask where you are staying)
Sainte-Anne is about 30 minutes from the airport.
The Address is:
166 Section Castaing 97180 Sainte-Anne.
- When you leave the airport, head towards Pointe a Pitre.
- Take road N4 towards GOSIER-SAINTE ANNE-SAINT FRANCOIS.
- Once in Sainte Anne, cross the town (going straight all the way), towards St Francois.
- As you exit Sainte-Anne, you will see the police station on your right and the fire station on your left.
- Keep going straight for about 500m.
- The entrance to the house is on your right.
Here are the directions in French. You may want to print them and carry them with you to give to the taxi:
166 Section Castaing 97180 Sainte-Anne.
- En quittant l’aéroport, prendre la direction de Pointe à Pitre.
- Puis prendre la N4, direction GOSIER-SAINTE ANNE-SAINT FRANCOIS.
- Arrivés à Sainte-Anne, vous traversez entièrement le bourg (c'est "tout droit"), direction Saint-François.
- A la sortie de Sainte-Anne, vous verrez la Gendarmerie Nationale sur votre droite et la Caserne des Pompiers sur votre gauche,
- continuez tout droit sur à peu près 500m.
- La maison est sur votre droite
What is the outlet power?
The electric system in Guadeloupe is the same as in Europe (240V) so you will need to bring an adaptor for European plugs.
What is the spoken language on the island?
French is the main language spoken on the island. Locals will try their best to understand us, but if you bring a translation book or a translation app. that would be very helpful.
Can I use US dollar?
No. Best to stock up on Euros at an ATM once you arrive, or at home. Credit cards are widely accepted, however they must have a chip. FYI, when the merchant hands you the PIN card machine, you can just wait, or tell them it’s a signature card - the receipt will pop out automatically. Be sure to let your debit/credit card companies know each state, town, and country your travels will take you through so you can use you cards as you travel to and from Guadeloupe.
Is it easy to find wifi?
Access to wifi is hit and miss in restaurants and cafés. However, it is our understanding that we will have wifi at our house.
Will my phone work in Guadeloupe?
If your cell phone works in Europe, it will work in Guadeloupe too. If you have an unlocked phone, you can get a local SIM card and buy a data package. The main local phone companies are Digicel and Orange, Digicel is known to be the cheapest option, but Orange is the most convenient as there’s a shop at the airport.
The European emergency number 112 works in Guadeloupe, or you can call the police directly by dialing 17, a emergency doctor by dialing 15 and fire dept. by dialing 8.
What do I need to bring with me?
I always recommend to carry on the airplane with you an extra pair of prescription eyewear and your medications. Also anything else that would be hard to replace while on the island.
From what I have read they strongly recommend bringing your own snorkeling gear or goggles. You can rent snorkeling sets for about 5 Euros a day, yet they are not available on every beach.
Also, beach towel or a sarong
- sunscreen - it is pretty pricey there
- bug repellent - yes, unfortunately sometimes there are pesky bugs
- sun glasses
- Ibuprofen, Aleve, or your choice of moderate pain medication
- Note: Pharmacists in Guadeloupe are equipped with lots of medical knowledge.
- swim suit
- sun hat
- hiking sneakers
- water shoes for the waterfalls
- flip flops
- a thin long-sleeve shirt for he balmy evenings or a sarong
- a snorkeling shirt to avoid getting sunburned
- two or three summer outfits (our villa has a washer and dryer)
Is the tap water drinkable?
Yes. In sit-down restaurants you can ask for a free jug of tap water with your meal (“une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plait”) or buy bottled water.
How much does a meal cost?
A basic dinner meal with a glass of wine will run you about 28 Euros.
Lunch is about half of that. However, rum, wine, baguettes and cheese are all very affordable. Roadside food trucks and cafes serve all kinds of food such as kebab-style bokit, panina-style agoulou, plates of fried chick, pizza, crepes and/or baguette sandwiches. Bakeries have croissants and sandwiches for a couple of euros.
When eating at restaurants the tip is already added to the bill, no need to leave one. The bill is not brought to our table - instead we go up the counter to pay. We can ask for the bill to be split
Where can I buy groceries?
There are several big supermarket chains in Guadeloupe, with Leader Price being the least expensive and most basic. Most are closed on Sundays. Small independent stores are open every day with a siesta from 12-4 p.m.and they are also open Sunday mornings.
Is Guadeloupe safe?
Yes. Just use good traveling sense and be mindful of pick-pocketing, leaving valuables unattended on the beaches, and at night swim in town beaches (tell me what you mean, here) such as Plage du Bourge in St. Anne where folks swim well into the night.
What should I be sure to eat?
I am so excited!!! Check out this link:
What will the weather be like?
The weather is typically pleasantly balmy and steady year round with the temperature always hovering around 86F and occasionally it drops in winter to 68F early in the morning.
What is the time difference?
There is no difference between Florida and Guadeloupe.
Guadeloupe is three hours ahead of Seattle, Washington.
Will we be taking any tours?
Yes, if you’d like. I am putting together some choices and will let you know about them and the costs very soon.
As always, Carol Miner will be by my side as “Happiness Support Specialist” to make sure all your needs are addressed. Carol will take care of anything you may need in the world of logistics (help with travel plans, local information or a Tylenol).
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