See everything you want to during your vacation without stress with our driving tips in Guadeloupe. You can find general rules and regulations, speed limits, and other information to make driving in Guadeloupe a snap.
Rules and Regulations
- Drive on the right-hand side of the road.
- All occupants of the vehicle must wear a seat belt.
- Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to travel in the front seat of the vehicle.
- The use of a mobile phone while driving is illegal unless you use a hands-free set.
- Drunk driving laws allow a blood alcohol level of 0.05%.
- On multi-lane roads, the left lane is for passing.
- Traffic on main roads (with the yellow diamond signs) has the right of way to oncoming traffic.
- At roundabouts, traffic in the circle has the right of way.
Speed Limits
These are the standard legal speed limits in Guadeloupe. The limits may vary and will be signposted.
| Within city limits | 50 km/h (31 mph) |
| Outside city limits | 70-80 km/h (43-50 mph) |
| Motorways | 90-110 km/h (56-68 mph) |
Additional Information
- In Basse-Terre, where the terrain is less developed, roads can become mountainous and have sharp turns that can make driving dangerous. Nighttime driving should be avoided, particularly in these mountainous areas, as roads may not be lit or marked.
- Be prepared to pay tolls around paths leading to the sea. Prices vary but are never too expensive.
- Do not park your car under palm trees, as falling coconuts can damage the vehicle. There are parking lots in most towns and cities.
- There is parking at nearly every hotel as well as at major attractions. Traffic is rarely a problem in the cities but can get congested along the coastal roads.
- Large gas stations accept credit cards but small vendors do not.
- Winding roads are common in Guadeloupe.
- Road signs follow the European conventions; directions and information signs are in French.
- SIXT has multiple branches in Guadeloupe including one at the Guadeloupe Pointe-à-Pitre Airport.
