Planning a stay in Guadeloupe? Discover the practical information you'll need about communication options on the island.

Time Difference

Guadeloupe operates on GMT - 4 year-round, which means a 5-hour difference from continental Europe in winter and 6 hours in summer. In other words, when it's noon in Europe (Paris, for example), it's 7 a.m. in Guadeloupe, or 6 a.m. during the summer months. Guadeloupe has a one-hour difference compared to the U.S. East Coast.

Being a tropical destination, daylight will be your constant companion throughout the year. The sun rises between 5 and 6 a.m. and sets around 6 to 6:30 p.m. There is virtually no twilight.

For your information, shop opening hours are generally 8 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday mornings. Stores are usually closed Saturday afternoons, Sundays, public holidays, and occasionally on Wednesday afternoons.

Telephone

Between Guadeloupe and Mainland France

Telephone numbers in Guadeloupe have 10 digits, just like in mainland France. There are no roaming charges between the overseas departments and territories and the mainland. Landlines begin with 05-90 and mobile phones with 06-90. Unlimited subscription plans from or to the mainland with island operators are free, for both landlines and mobile phones. To communicate between Guadeloupe and mainland France, simply dial the 10 digits of your contact's number.

Between Guadeloupe and the Rest of the World

If you wish to call Guadeloupe, simply dial the international code +590 followed by the 9-digit number. For landlines, the code will first be followed by 590, and for mobile phones 690, followed by the remaining 6 digits. For example, to call a landline: +590-590 23 08 41 and for a mobile phone +590-690 41 07 36.

From Europe, dial 00 590 590, then the 6 digits of your contact's number (landline) in Guadeloupe. If you're in the United States, dial +1 590 590.

From Guadeloupe, simply dial 00 followed by the country code, the area code, and then your contact's number to call abroad.

Public telephone booths in Guadeloupe operate with cards (or credit cards) rather than coins. Purchase telephone cards at post offices.

Internet in Guadeloupe

Most accommodations, restaurants, bars, and even some public spaces offer free wifi, with a connection better than 3G or 4G. For more intensive use, you may be asked to pay additional fees but with higher bandwidth. Once connected to the network, you'll have access to all internet telephony services: Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber, Skype, allowing you to call your loved ones. You can send photos, videos, or other file types anywhere in the world, all without charge.

For those planning a long stay in Guadeloupe, France Télécom and Orange's access service operates on the island. Internet cafés are also an option.