Places in Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe Health Care and Vaccinations

Title Special precautions
Diphtheria

Sometimes

Hepatitis A

Yes

Malaria

No

Rabies

Sometimes

Tetanus

Yes

Typhoid

Sometimes

Yellow Fever

No*

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by travellers over one year of age arriving from an infected or endemic zone within six days.

Health care is of a good standard, but health insurance is advisable to cover costs as the reciprocal health agreement between the UK and France may not apply in Guadeloupe. There is a University Hospital Centre in Pointe-à-Pitre, on Grande-Terre, and a hospital on Basse-Terre as well as a number of clinics.

Food and drink

Mains water is chlorinated and whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advised. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafoods and fruit are generally considered safe to eat.

Other risks

Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. The sap of the manchineel tree is toxic and causes burns to the skin. Travellers should avoid contact with its leaves and fruit, and should not stand under the tree when it is raining. These trees, which look similar to apple trees, are often marked with a red sign on the trunk.

Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.