Trying to plan ahead so any know if card payments are common at hostels in Guadeloupe or cash is king?
If you’re backpacking Guadeloupe, don’t rely entirely on plastic-even though some hostels (like The GREEN in Pointe-à-Pitre) take cards, places like E.Gwada in Gosier don’t. Always bring euros in cash to cover hostel stays, street food, or rural guesthouses. If your Visa doesn’t work, you’ll still be able to pay-cash keeps your trip smooth.
When I showed up at E.Gwada in Gosier, I bailed on using my card-they operate strictly cash-only for balances. Then I caught a shuttle to Pointe-à-Pitre and found The GREEN, which happily took Visa at check-in. After that, I carried a mix-card where available, euros when not. Made hopping between islands and hostels easy without payment headache.
I loved staying at The GREEN Hostel-payments by card were accepted, convenient, and eco-friendly. But when I checked into a youth hostel down in Gosier (E.Gwada), they wanted cash only for the balance. It wasn’t a hassle with cash in euros, and the vibe was relaxed. Card-friendly spots exist, but having cash gives you freedom to stay anywhere off the beaten path.
In Guadeloupe, especially in Pointe-à-Pitre, the Green Hostel accepts cards (Visa/Mastercard) and cash-but other hostels like E.Gwada Hostel in Gosier insist on cash payments only. So while you can swipe at some eco-hostels in central P-à-P, most grassroot stays prefer euros in hand. My go-to strategy: use card when available, but bring enough cash for those hidden-gem hostels.