Sainte Rose - unrecognized beauty
Driving through Sainte Rose on the national road feels a bit like being on the Périphérique in Paris. Ugly advertising signs everywhere and not the ambience you would expect from a tourist resort. You wouldn't think of staying here any longer. That is a great pity. What hardly anyone knows is that there is a lot to discover away from the main road, because Sainte Rose is one of the most beautiful excursion areas in Guadeloupe. The islands off the coast with the paradisiacal Îlets Blanc and Caret, the mangoes, the coastal hiking trail and the dreamy hinterland with its sugar cane and pineapple fields. But also beautiful colonial buildings and tropical gardens with fruity trees.
Garden Valombreuse and Saut des 3 Cornes
In the morning, we hike to one of the most popular waterfalls in Basse-Terre, the Saut des 3 Cornes (approx. 3 km, approx. 150 m ascent and descent, approx. 1 hour), where locals like to take a shower under the waterfall. On the way, you will discover rubber trees, lianas and cross the Moustique River. Afterwards you have the opportunity to take a shower with thermal water in Sofaia. In the afternoon we visit one of the most beautiful gardens in Guadeloupe, the 5-hectare Jardin de Valombreuse.
PS: During heavy rainfall, the Moustique River often swells considerably. The hike will be replaced by another program item.
Fantastic islands off the coast
Pure Caribbean awaits you in the Grand-Cul-de-Sac-Marin off the coast of Sainte-Rose. Make your dream come true and take a boat to Îlet Caret, just behind the protective coral reef. Plan the excursion for a day between Monday and Friday. Weekends can sometimes be busy. Enjoy the freedom, relax on the beach or watch the surfers. Depending on the provider and route, you will see other islands such as Îlet Blanc or Îlet Fajou and discover the mangroves on your trip. With a bit of luck, you may see barracudas, rays and other fish. We arrange full and half-day excursions.
Death in Paradise Tour Sainte Rose
On this tour you will only see the filming locations in/near Sainte-Rose, not in Deshaies. From Paradise Beach (Plage de Cluny) to Maison Routa, one of the most beautiful colonial buildings in Guadeloupe. In the hamlet of Comté de Lohéac is the Hôtel Habitation du Comté, in the series a golf course or the seat of the Governor of Sainte Marie. Nearby is the Maison Cécile or the home of the Minister of the Interior, Jacob Doran. One of DI Poole's last appearances also took place there in the villa of an industrialist. In the town center, we take a look at the town hall and visit the rum museum in the Reimonenq distillery, and of course have a drink. In the series, two brothers argued there as a distraction in order to frame a former employee for murder.
Zuckerfabrik Gardel und Rumdestillerie
Are you interested in sugar cane and what is made from it? During a tour of the Gardel sugar factory, one of the largest companies on the island, you will learn a lot about sugar and sugar cane, but also about the conversion of organic waste into energy. Afterwards, we drive through the countryside, partly through sugar cane fields and there are beautiful photo panoramas of the landscape and the sea. Afterwards, we visit a rum distillery and sample different types of rum or you can opt for fruity rum cocktails.
Coastal hike: the customs officers' and pirates' trail
From the Pointe de Bas-du-Vent or from Cluny beach, the coastal footpath leads to Sainte Rose. Depending on the route, from 6 - 10 km, the average walking time is 1.5 - 2.5 hours. Beautiful views of the island of Montserrat and the offshore islets of Kahouanne and Tête d'Anglais let the gaze seek the distance. The closer you get to Sainte Rose, the better the mangrove landscape of the Grand-Cul-de-Sac-Marin comes into view. Finish with a picnic and a swim on a beautiful beach
Sofaia circular walk and thermal baths Ravine Chaude
On this approximately two-hour hike (difference in altitude ca. 200 meters ascent and descent, approx. 5 km) you will see lianas, bamboo, mahogany and rubber trees as well as the “bois bandé”, which is the subject of much laughter in Guadeloupe. Your guide will tell you why. We then visit the Ravine Chaude thermal spa in Lamentin with its 28 - 33 degree thermal water. There are two pools: a relaxation pool and a 25-meter swimming pool. The water contains calcium, magnesium and potassium. It is therefore well suited to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Water depth 1.20 - 1.30 meters