jrpinto

I am very intrigued by everything I’ve read about Terre-de-Haut – especially about its being like the old St. Barths. I am considering a trip there this summer. Has anyone been there? I have a few questions.

1. How hard is it to get there? It almost seems as though Guadeloupe is shunning American tourism lately. None of the tourist sites are even in English. I can’t find any direct flights to Point-a-Pitre from New York. Does Air Caribes fly to Terre-de-Haut from any other island (St. Martin)?
2. Has anyone been to UCPA? I have contacted them and seen their website. The place looks great and cheap.
3. Is this a good destination when traveling alone? The feeling I got from UCPA is that it is a bunch of young solo travelers who are interested in water sports. Is there any nightlife on the island? Or is it just meant for swimming and reading?

JR

waring

Haven't been to Les Saintes, however I know a number of Santois.

The only real comments I can pass on is that is that it is similar to St Barts in that the population is generally of European origin, however there isn't that much to do there in comparison to "New" St Barts: restaurants, hotels, villas, nautical activities etc. I think you will be reading and beaching as you say.

From what I gather, it best done as a day trip from Guadeloupe.

Your are right, it is astonishing, there is not an English version of the tourist board site.

Air Caribes certainly flies to Guadeloupe from St Maarten, Air Antilles Express probably also. There is also a direct Air Caraibes connection from St Barts.

jrpinto

Thanks James!

I actually don’t have that much of a problem hanging out on an island with nothing much to do except swimming and eating. If I am going to be by myself, that is another matter. The UCPA thing just sounded fun because it is super-cheap and seemed to be geared towards the backpacker-set.

Les Saintes was profiled in a magazine about a year ago (it may have been Caribbean Travel & Life) as one of the few islands left (along with Saba) that are still “authentic.” Of course, that is always going to intrigue me, and I still may check it out.

As for Guadeloupe in general, I don’t know what to make of it. Since they lost St. Barths as part of its collective, they seem to be consciously rejecting tourism. I have no idea why.

JR

Odin

It's a shame that Americans think that Guadeloupe shuns them as tourists. I saw Americans in Guadeloupe, not many but then there were no Brits either, mainly French, German, Italian, Swiss and we met some French Canadian tourists. Some websites do have English info and some are in the process of being translated (eg the National Park page) The French have a different style and like rustic bungalow type accommodation. I don't believe tourism is their main industry, the living standards are higher than elsewhere in the Caribbean. It's nothing like chic sophisticated St Barts.

To get to Les Saintes from Guadeloupe, check www.express-des-iles.com (English available) and general tourist info http://www.antilles-info-tourisme.co...e/p2-in-gb.htm, again in English.

jrpinto

Thanks Odin - especially for the links! It seems that they try to push travel by boat to Terre-de-Haut, but I know that they have an airport. Does the airport have a website (the one on St. Barths does)? I'm trying to find how to get there with the fewest connections.

Also, I just discovered that this month's Caribbean Travel & Life has a nice little snippet about Terre-de-Haut. They list it among the ports-of-call for yachters. There's a nice picture of the harbor from the crucifix (which, I have to say, does look a bit like St. Barts). According to the article, motor bike is the main method of transportation.

Anybody else with info on Les Saintes or UCPA, please keep the info coming.

Thanks

JR

Spainfan

We are regular visitors to St Bart, and recently visited Les Saintes. We spent the first two nights in Guadeloupe which we enjoyed.

Les Saintes has its own personality and I found it much different than St. Bart. It is simple and quiet, no cars, some nice beaches, one that is well maintained, the others maintained by nature. It is a place for total relaxation. I loved walking around....you can actually hike from one end of the island to the other. There are a few simple restaurants. The best one was at the Auberge, which is an interesting place to stay.

Flights there are tricky. Air Caraibes has scheduled flights...but they often have mechanical problems...and they put you on another flight later in the day that is going someplace else but makes a special stop for you. If there are enough people booked, I have been told there are rarely mechanical problems.

It is worth a trip, but I am not sure if you are alone unless you like to swim and read. The boat people are usually gone at night.

At the time we went we flew from NYC to Montreal to Pte a Pitre. American Airlines also has flights from San Juan. Both would require at lease an overnight somewhere.

lindasp62

jrpinto and others..I, too, am considering Terre-de-Haut for January, 2008. I am thinking about staying at the Auberge les Petits Saints. Please let me know any thoughts of this place to stay and getting around from this location. Any other ideas and suggestions for visiting TDH wouldbe appreciated!

Tellurian

Stayed at Auberge les Petits Saints in March of 2005 - believe it has changed owners since then. The site is beautiful; the pool and surrounding deck have commanding views out to sea. Rooms were charming and comfortable, if a bit crowded with all the antiques for sale. (I don't know if this tradition continues with the new owners.) Dinners were creative and delicious and the open air dining was romantic. You can walk down into "town" from the Auberge, but some might not like the climb back up. Scooters can be rented to get around the island. Snorkeling off the beach at Bois Joli was excellent. We stayed 4 nights and thoroughly enjoyed the island. For a day trip, I would feel too rushed. As for getting there, take the ferry service from Trois Rivieres; it's a quick, scenic ride (we saw whales!) and more reliable than the air service and much shorter than the seasick-notorious boat from Pointe-a-Pitre.