Making the most of Deshaies
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Deshaies is on Guadeloupe’s Basse-Terre island, with many beautiful beaches along the coast. It is a tender port.
The town is very compact, so the harbour arrival point is effectively already downtown.
Take a printable map with you.
See the Deshaies cruise schedule.
Set between sea and mountains amid contrasting, rugged landscapes, the small village of Deshaies has charm and authenticity.
Deshaies is a pleasant place to pause, absorb the unhurried West Indian atmosphere, eat on a restaurant terrace or drink a ti-punch while the sun sets at the back of the bay.
Getting around
Several private bus lines link Pointe-à-Pitre or Basse-Terre with every village. There are no timetables; stop on sign.
Taxi fares are government-set, though they become quite expensive once outside the cities.
There are many rental car companies, but booking is advisable, especially from December to April.
Nearby places
On the way out of Deshaies, visit the Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanique). Set in a 10 acre property once belonging to the French comedian Coluche, its colourful displays include 800 plant species, 11 animal species in partial liberty, a pink flamingo lake, aviaries, a torrent and a parrot village… It is enchanting for adults and children alike.
Money
The Euro is the currency, and most banks and cash machines accept most international credit cards.
Credit cards, particularly Visa, are accepted almost everywhere.
Staying connected
For police assistance, dial 17.
Cyber cafes are available in Saint-François, Sainte Anne, Mare-Gaillard and Pointe-à-Pitre…; some post offices and public sites also have terminals.
French is the official language and most people speak creole. English is also spoken in major tourist centres and on the northern islands of Saint-Martin and Saint-Bartholomew.
Opening Hours and
Stores generally trade from 8.00 am to noon and 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm. Businesses close on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, holidays and, very often, Wednesday afternoons.