Cost of Living in Basse-Terre

Hello to everyone ! 🤟

I'm Seb Fourault , entrepreneur and digital nomad who has made Guadeloupe my place of life, as well as my entrepreneurial playground.

I want to share with you my experience and my discoveries on this magnificent island, which I see as a true paradise for all entrepreneurs and digital nomads from around the world.

Guadeloupe, with its idyllic climate, its rich culture and its strategic proximity to Europe and America, offers an exceptional living and working environment. Here, I found the perfect balance between work, leisure and discovery, in a stimulating and welcoming environment.

In this guide, I will tell you about everything you need to know to succeed as an entrepreneur or digital nomad in Guadeloupe: from the economic climate to available subsidies , including incubators , coworking spaces , and of course, the cultural and social aspects that make this island unique.

My objective ? Convince you that Guadeloupe is not just a holiday destination, but a real hub for entrepreneurs and digital nomads, comparable to places like Dubai, Bali or Thailand , with a unique French touch 🇫🇷

So, ready to dive into the Guadeloupean adventure? Follow me, and let's find out together how to make this island your next office paradise!

PS: This article is the fruit of my personal experience and information collected during my adventures in Guadeloupe, it is of course not an absolute truth and I do not claim that it covers all aspects. It will evolve as I discover, meet and receive your feedback. I hope it will be useful and inspiring to you! 😊

In the program :
Guadeloupe, an Eden for Digital Entrepreneurs
Understanding the Economic Climate in Guadeloupe
Moving to Guadeloupe: Practical Aspects
Subsidies and Support for Entrepreneurs
Networks and Communities for Entrepreneurs in Guadeloupe
Life in Guadeloupe: An Ideal Working Climate
My Personal Tips on the Specificities of Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe, an Eden for Digital Entrepreneurs
Guadeloupe is much more than a postcard of beaches and palm trees. It is a dynamic ecosystem, conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship. Let me tell you why this island is a top choice for digital entrepreneurs.

Climate and Environment: Imagine working with a view of the Caribbean Sea, surrounded by lush nature. Guadeloupe offers a pleasant tropical climate all year round, similar to Bali or Thailand, but with a major advantage: the stability and security of a French department.

Cultural Diversity and Strategic Proximity: Here you benefit from a unique blend of Caribbean and European cultures. Proximity to Europe and North America is a major advantage for business, especially with direct flights from the United States significantly reducing travel time.

An Innovation Hub: Guadeloupe is not left out in terms of technology and innovation. With local initiatives and support from the French government, the island is positioning itself as a growing technology hub.

In short, Guadeloupe offers an exceptional living environment, combined with a stimulating business environment. It is fertile ground for digital entrepreneurs looking to combine quality of life and professional opportunities.

Understanding the Economic Climate in Guadeloupe
As an entrepreneur who took his first steps in Guadeloupe, I can assure you that the island's economy is as rich as its biodiversity. Here's a look at what you need to know about the local economic climate.

A Diversified Economy: Guadeloupe is not limited to tourism. Agriculture, renewable energy, and information technology are booming sectors. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Islands of Guadeloupe (CCI IG), among others, offers support to entrepreneurs.

Government Support: As a French department, Guadeloupe benefits from subsidies and support from the French state, particularly for new businesses and innovative projects. This includes financial aid as offered by BPI France , advice on business creation, and professional training.

A Dynamic Market on an advantageous Geographical location: The local population is receptive and demanding new technologies and innovations. Additionally, the island's geographic position provides easy access to American and European markets.

Time difference, an advantage?
Most digital nomads who choose to emigrate to Asia complain that their clients in mainland France call on them until late in the evening, pushing them to work long days.

Here we are positioned in the other direction, we tend to get up a little earlier, which is not disturbing because the sun rises early, and from midday we are quiet and we can work without distraction because the metropolis has gone to bed (or go and enjoy the beach, your choice 😁).

Personally, I find it a real comfort for work/life balance and mental workload.

Challenges to Face: Like any region, Guadeloupe has its challenges, particularly in terms of logistics and infrastructure (water, ecology, energy, transport, access to care, etc.). However, these challenges also represent opportunities for resourceful entrepreneurs.

In summary, Guadeloupe offers a dynamic and diverse economic environment, with significant support for entrepreneurs. It’s fertile ground for those looking to innovate and grow in a tropical setting. To find out more: the CCI website .

Moving to Guadeloupe: Practical Aspects
Moving to Guadeloupe as an entrepreneur or digital nomad requires good preparation. Here are some practical tips based on my personal experience and information gathered during my meetings.

Administrative Formalities: As a French department, Guadeloupe follows the same administrative rules as mainland France. For EU citizens, installation is relatively simple, especially for healthcare professionals. For others, a visa may be necessary. It is important to contact the nearest French embassy or consulate to find out the specific procedures.

Accommodation: Finding accommodation in Guadeloupe can be a challenge, especially during peak tourist season. Villa rentals are popular among expats and digital nomads.

The best is to favor local agencies like ZeWelcome rather than Airbnb or Booking , because you do not pay service fees and therefore you save between 15% and 20% on the price of your rental 👌

The districts of Gosier, Sainte-Anne , and Saint-François are very popular for their proximity to beaches and amenities. Furthermore, many companies are based in Jarry, which makes Gosier and Petit-Bourg attractive cities for their proximity to the workplace.

When we arrived with my girlfriend, we rented a villa for 1 month, just to discover the island and find out better where we wanted to settle.

Internet connection: Connectivity is essential for digital nomads. Guadeloupe offers good internet coverage, with fiber optic options in urban areas: Baie-Mahault, Les Abymes, Le Gosier, Le Moule, Sainte-Rose, Le Lamentin, Capesterre-Belle-Eau, Morne à l'Eau , Saint-Claude, Trois-Rivières, Guava, Gourbeyre, Vieux-Fort.

In more remote areas, you will have to make do with ADSL but I assure you it works quite well.

Transport: Having a car is almost essential in Guadeloupe to explore the island and go to professional meetings. Look on LeBonCoin or turn to professionals. Car rental is a convenient option, with many services available at the airport and in major cities.

Luggage and moving: If you plan to settle in for the long term, a viable option may be to bring your car from the mainland. You put all your luggage in it and you rent a container which is transported to Guadeloupe by boat.

In summary, settling in Guadeloupe requires a certain amount of organization, but once there, the quality of life and professional opportunities more than compensate for the initial efforts.

Networks and Communities for Entrepreneurs in Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe offers a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, but with a particularity: many circles of entrepreneurs operate privately 😬, which can represent a challenge for newcomers. Here are some concrete ways to integrate into these networks:

Private Groups and WhatsApp: Groups like “Entrepreneurs Solidaires”, initiated by Julien Amodeo of Tech in Caraibes ( LinkedIn ), or “Les amis du Spot” created by entrepreneur Jordan Succar ( LinkedIn ) are examples of these private circles. It is essential to actively solicit addition to these groups, often through LinkedIn or other professional contacts.

GuadeloupeTech: This association regularly organizes networking events and meetings around digital technology and entrepreneurship. It's a great way to meet other professionals and stay up to date with the latest trends.

ZeBox Events: The ZeBox community, with talented organizers like Camille Pourret and Fatoumata Issa-Alzouma ( Camille's LinkedIn , Fatoumata's LinkedIn ), frequently organizes entrepreneurship-related events. These events are golden opportunities to expand your network and gain inspiration from other entrepreneurs.

ZeBox Incubator Guadeloupe
The ZeBox incubator in Guadeloupe
Incubators: Le Village by CA Guadeloupe ( LinkedIn ) and ZeBox, the CMA-CGM incubator ( Website ), are key incubators offering valuable support to startups.

Coworking Spaces: In addition to ZeBox, which offers monthly packages for members of its network, other spaces such as Iresa, CoWinner, Le Fort Coworking Social Hub, and Level Up Pli Wô offer suitable and conducive working environments. to networking ( EWAG article ).

Integrating into the Guadeloupean entrepreneurial environment requires a proactive approach. It is crucial to be open, actively participate in local events and seek entry into these private groups to successfully integrate.

Life in Guadeloupe: An Ideal Working Climate
Guadeloupe offers an exceptional living environment that combines work and pleasure. Here are concrete examples for each aspect of life on the island:

Tropical Climate: Imagine starting your work day with a view of the Caribbean Sea, a mild and sunny climate all year round. I am writing these words to you from my terrace at Le Gosier, with a light breeze which makes working outdoors pleasant even in the middle of the day 😊

Activities and Leisure: After a productive day, there is nothing like a hike in the Guadeloupe National Park, exploring the tropical forest and discovering hidden waterfalls. For diving enthusiasts, the waters around Pigeon Island offer spectacular dive sites, perfect for unwinding on the weekend.

Vibrant Community: Guadeloupean culture is rich and welcoming. I had the opportunity to participate in the Guadeloupe Carnival, a colorful festival that celebrates local culture with music, dance and traditional costumes. It's a great way to immerse yourself in the community and build connections. “Chanté Nwèl” are also a must at Christmas!

Accessibility: Guadeloupe is well served by direct flights from Paris, New York, and other major cities, this accessibility facilitates business travel. The Guadeloupe archipelago is surrounded by small islands where time stops for a weekend: Marie-Galante, Les Saintes, La Désirade.

It's also incredible to take a getaway to other Caribbean islands , such as Dominica (2 hours by boat), Martinique (4 hours by boat or 30 minutes by plane), or even catamaran cruises to Antigua -Barbuda, or Saint Vincent & The Grenadines 😎

A-detailed-and-accurate-illustrative-map-of-Guadeloupe-and-its-surrounding-islands-closely
Safety and Quality of Life: Living in Guadeloupe also means benefiting from a safe environment and quality public services, with developed health infrastructures, and administrative services similar to those offered in mainland France (try to anticipate everything similarly, time passes differently here).

In summary, Guadeloupe is not only a place of business opportunities, it is a true paradise for those seeking to combine work and quality of life.

My Personal Tips on the Specificities of Guadeloupe
Ah, Guadeloupe! A paradise for entrepreneurs, but with its little particularities 😅

👉 Here are my personal tips , with a touch of humor, for navigating this unique world:

1. Waze > Google Maps: Forget Google Maps for your journeys. Here, Waze is king! He knows every shortcut and avoids traffic jams better than a local.

2. Check Business Hours: If Google says a business is open, take it with a grain of salt. Online timetables? More mythical than real. A word of advice: call before you travel.

3. WhatsApp and Insta, the New Kings: SMS, LinkedIn, Facebook Messenger? It's from the past. Here, everything happens on WhatsApp or Instagram. Get ready to become a voicemail pro.

personal tips and peculiarities of life in Guadeloupe.
4. The Handshake, Key to Business: In Guadeloupe, business is done face to face, with a good handshake. Forget video calls to close a deal, here we rely on human contact.

5. Alternative Services: No Uber, Vinted or Amazon? Do not panic. This is the perfect opportunity to discover local alternatives or even launch your own business in a less saturated market.

👉 Local alternatives to known services:

Deliveroo → EasyTaVie / Please
Uber → En Woute / Coco
Veepee → Island Deal / Foodiles
Le Bonbon → Travel Art Caribbean / Kkfèt
Blablacar → Karos
SeLoger → Domimmo / LeBonCoin
Meetup → Instagram
Le Bon Coin → The “Gwada Connexion” Facebook group
Google → Ask your neighbor, they will probably know more than Google 😅
6. Speak Creole: Learn the expressions above all. It's cool, it shows your interest in local culture and it opens doors.

My favorite: “Sé grenn diri ka fé sak diri”, it’s the grain of rice that makes the bag of rice, which could be translated into “small streams make long rivers”.

7. Understand Local History: Visit the ACTe Memorial and pick up a book on the history of Guadeloupe. Understanding Guadeloupe's colonial and cultural past is essential to truly grasp the soul of the island and its people.

8. Import and Adapt Concepts: No need to reinvent the wheel. Many concepts don't exist here yet. Import an idea and adapt it to local specificities. For example, a well-designed manicure booking service could be a hit.

9. Experience the Local Rhythm: Listen to music and explore local dances (hello twerk and bouyon!).

10. Smart Phone Plan: Take a metropolitan plan from Sosh. Plenty of Gigas to work from anywhere, and above all much cheaper than local telephone offers.

11. Join the Gwada Connexion group: If you are looking for the beating heart of the online community in Guadeloupe, look no further than the “Gwada Connexion” Facebook group ( link to group ).

It’s a real melting pot of exchanges, information and local tips. Imagine a place where you can find everything: sales announcements, travel advice, lively debates, and even rants or job offers.

12. Immerse yourself in the World of Local Podcasts: To truly understand the entrepreneurial spirit in Guadeloupe, there is nothing like listening to the stories and experiences of local actors through podcasts.

Here are some suggestions:

“Digital Sauces”: This podcast ( website ) focuses on digital and innovation. It offers in-depth interviews with local entrepreneurs, sharing their journeys, successes and advice.
“We are reinventing the world”: This podcast offers a fascinating overview of the innovative ideas and projects that are shaping the future of Guadeloupe. He is an inspiration to anyone looking to make a positive change.
“Outside the Zone”: Here, you will discover entrepreneurs who dare to think outside the box. It’s perfect for understanding the unique challenges and opportunities of island entrepreneurship.
13. Find out about the next “CrazyMonkey” events : Organized by Jordan Succar , a multi-hat Guadeloupean entrepreneur who has a thousand ideas at the minute.

Some examples of formats that he regularly organizes:

The Débouya Conf : These round tables bring together talented entrepreneurs for rich and qualitative discussions. They offer a unique platform to explore various topics from different angles, enriched by dynamic exchanges with the public.
The Debouya Sprint: Halfway between a design thinking workshop and practical training, these sessions are the ideal place to quickly develop your skills. In a few days, you can immerse yourself in various fields such as no-code or automation, guided by inspiring and experienced speakers and trainers.
Co-living: Imagine spending a week in a luxurious villa, surrounded by other entrepreneurs and freelancers, local and international. These stays are a perfect combination of invigorating activities like surfing and yoga, productive work sessions and invaluable networking opportunities.
There you go, with these tips, you are ready to conquer Guadeloupe, while having fun. Good adventure !

My conclusion
In summary, Guadeloupe is much more than just a vacation destination. It’s a true haven for entrepreneurs and digital nomads .

With its dynamic economic climate, supports for entrepreneurship, an active business community and an idyllic living environment, the island offers a perfect environment for those looking to combine work and pleasure.

My journey as an entrepreneur in Guadeloupe has been an incredible adventure, rich in discoveries and encounters.