Making the most of Terre de Haut
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
Cruise ships tender you close to the town centre.
A printable map to take with you.
Terre-de-Haut, in the Iles des Saintes, has pristine beaches and families descended from Breton sailors.
Plage de Pompierre, with its palm backdrop and half-moon curve around the bay, has no finer rival. It is only a 15- to 20-minute walk from the Basse-Terre ferry dock. Unless a cruise ship is in port, it is generally uncrowded, with mainland French enjoying the powdery-white sand while wearing next to nothing. To bare all, go to Anse Crawen on the western coast, the legal nudist beach, though people often go nude at other beaches too. On the southern coast, Plage Figuier offers the best snorkeling and, chances are, you will have it almost to yourself.
Getting around
Buses: private lines link every village with Pointe-à-Pitre or Basse-Terre. There are no timetables; stops are on sign.
Taxis: fares are set by the government and become pretty expensive as soon as you leave the cities.
Rental cars: many cars are available to rent, but reservations are advisable, especially from December to April.
Money
The Euro is the currency, and most banks and bank machines accept most international credit cards.
Credit cards are welcomed almost everywhere; Visa is the best known.
Staying connected
For police, call 17.
Cyber-cafes can be found in Saint-François, Sainte Anne, Mare-Gaillard and Pointe-à-Pitre... some post offices and other public sites also have terminals.
French is the official language, while most people speak creole. English is also spoken in big tourist centers and on the northern islands of Saint-Martin and Saint-Bartholomew.
Opening Hours and
Stores usually open from 8.00 am to noon and again 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm. Businesses close on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, holidays and, very often, Wednesday afternoons.