Aged flavored rum, vibrant madras fabrics, colorful spices: Guadeloupe is full of treasures easily tucked into your suitcase. To avoid leaving empty-handed, here are the 7 must-have souvenirs that capture the soul of the archipelago:
- 🥃 Agricultural rum (Bologne, Rhum Damoiseau, Rhum Clément)
- 🍫 Guadeloupe Chocolate & bonifieur coffee
- 🌺 Regional spices & Creole sauces
- 🧵 Madras fabrics & traditional clothing
- 💍 Coral jewelry and local seeds
- 🍯 Guadeloupe honey & exotic jams
- 🎭 Carnival items & Ka drums
Top 7 Guadeloupe souvenirs: practical guide 2025
Each souvenir tells a story: that of the sugarcane, the Soufrière volcano, or the Basse-Terre Carnival. The table below summarizes the essentials for an informed choice.
| Souvenir 🎁 | Where to buy 📍 | Budget 💶 | Why it’s unique ✨ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural rum (Bologne, Damoiseau, Clément) 🥃 | Distillerie Bologne, 97100 Basse-Terre Distillerie Damoiseau, 97160 Le Moule | 20 – 65 € | AOC, fresh cane, tropical aging |
| Guadeloupe Chocolate 🍫 | Maison du Cacao, 97116 Pointe-Noire | 5 – 12 € | Local beans, artisanal roasting |
| Regional spices 🌶️ | Marché de la Darse, Pointe-à-Pitre | 2 – 6 € per bag | Colombo, cinnamon, vegetarian chili |
| Madras fabrics & traditional clothing 👗 | Village Artisanal de Sainte-Anne, 97180 | 10 – 45 € | Iconic Caribbean pattern, breathable cotton |
| Coral jewelry & seeds 💍 | Atelier Kayanou, 21 rue Achille René-Boisneuf, Pointe-à-Pitre | 15 – 90 € | Natural materials, unique pieces |
| Guadeloupe honey 🍯 | Miellerie de Delphes, 97125 Bouillante | 8 – 14 € | Tropical flowers, caramelized taste |
| Ka drum & masks 🎭 | tifweta.com (shipping) or workshops in Vieux-Habitants | 30 – 150 € | Symbol of Gwo-Ka, local wood |
Gourmet focus: rum, chocolate & vanilla
Impossible to leave the island without a bottle of rum: freshly cut sugarcane gives rise to exceptional spirits like Rhum Damoiseau 55° or the XO from Rhum Clément. To accompany, Guadeloupe Chocolate and Guadeloupe Vanilla bring a smooth note, perfect for homemade desserts.
- 🍍 Tip: pair aged rum with a square of 70% dark chocolate to reveal notes of candied fruit.
- 📦 Transport: favor 3-liter boxed wines to reduce breakage in checked baggage.
Where to find authentic souvenirs in Guadeloupe?
Between lively markets and design shops, the choice is wide. The following addresses combine variety and local craftsmanship.
Markets & artisanal villages
- 👜 Sainte-Anne Market: open every day from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., ideal for traditional clothing.
- 🌶️ La Darse Market (Pointe-à-Pitre): spices, punches, local jams.
- 🖼️ Saint-François Artisanal Village: 30 workshops dedicated to local craftsmanship.
To prepare your shopping, also check the guide What to bring back from Guadeloupe? and the interactive map from Pieds dans le Sable.
Specialized shops & art workshops
- 🌺 Essences Caraïbes, 34 rue Schoelcher, Basse-Terre: Tropical flower perfumes in small spray bottles.
- 🥥 Ti Coco Factory, 13 impasse du Sable, Le Gosier: cosmetics based on coconut oil and aloe vera.
- 🎨 TitonoArt, Chemin de l’Habitation, Vieux-Habitants: painted barrels transformed into designer furniture.
Customs & transport: bringing back your rum without stress 🍹
According to European regulations (updated 2025), each adult passenger may bring back 10 liters of alcohol > 22°. The summary table simplifies the thresholds.
| Category 🍾 | Authorized quantity | VAT exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Spirits > 22° | 10 l | 430 € (traveler + 15 years) |
| Sweet wines < 22° | 20 l | 430 € |
| Wine | 90 l (60 l sparkling) | — |
| Beer | 110 l | — |
- 📑 Declare the merchandise if the value exceeds the exemption.
- 🧴 Pack each bottle in a waterproof bag, surrounded by cloth.
- 🧊 For 3 l and more, opt for the Longueteau 3 l boxed wine: less breakage, gentle price.
Responsible shopping & eco-friendly souvenirs
Adopting sustainable tourism means favoring products respectful of the environment and the local economy.
- 🌱 Aloe soaps, organic essential oils: sold at Sainte-Anne organic market (Wednesday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
- ♻️ Recycled items: keychains made from marine plastic recovered by UpSea, workshop in Petit-Bourg.
- 🎋 Latanier leaf hats: light and biodegradable.
| Green product 🌿 | Positive impact | Point of sale |
|---|---|---|
| Aloe cosmetics | Sustainable farming, zero additives | Ti Coco Factory |
| Recycled coral jewelry | Upcycling, supporting fishermen | Atelier Kayanou |
| Recycled madras fabrics | Reducing textile waste | Collectif Madras 2.0 |
For other ethical ideas, the portal Participez.com lists local initiatives, while 123souvenir.com offers similar inspirations for Morocco, New York, or Jordan.
FAQ – Guadeloupe souvenirs
- Which rum to offer an enthusiast?
The tasting box “Origines” from Distillerie Bologne combines a 55° white, an amber, and a 6-year-old aged rum, format 3 × 20 cl. - Where to find real Guadeloupe Vanilla?
At Domaine de Vanibel (Bouillante): guided tours + vacuum-sealed pods to preserve the aroma. - Is coral jewelry allowed by customs?
Yes, if it comes from dead or recycled coral and is accompanied by a certificate; live coral is prohibited. - Are there souvenirs for children?
The Ti-Madras doll or the board game “Fon Lèspri Koko” (Creole legends) can be found at the Saint-François Artisanal Village. - How to support local craftsmanship from mainland France?
Several workshops ship online; consult this detailed guide or the shop listings on Terre-Découverte.
