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Grover Beach

Grover Beach is in San Luis Obispo County in the Central Coast region of California. It is part of the Five Cities Metropolitan Area which also includes Oceano to the south, Arroyo Grande to the east, and Pismo Beach and Shell Beach to the north.

By car
Highway 1 runs through Grover Beach. Grover Beach is also the southern terminus of Highway 227. Highway 101 is a major freeway that goes near Grover Beach. On the 101, you can go south to Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and eventually to Los Angeles, and north to San Luis Obispo, Salinas, and eventually to San Francisco. On the 1, you could go south to Guadalupe and Lompoc, while you could go north to nearby Pismo Beach to meet the 101. The 227 goes north to San Luis Obispo.

By plane
The nearest airport with commercial flights is San Luis Obispo Airport, approximately 10 miles north of Grover Beach. Scheduled flights are available to Los Angeles and San Francisco on United Express's Skywest Airlines, and Phoenix on American Eagle. Oceano County Airport is located just south of Grover Beach and it is used mostly for general aviation.

By bus/train
Amtrak serves Grover Beach via its Pacific Surfliner train between San Luis Obispo and San Diego, there are two daily departures in each direction and several additional Amtrak Thruway buses connecting with trains in Santa Barbara. is located at 180 W Grand Ave.

By bus
SLO South County Transit provides bus service in Grover Beach, Oceano, Pismo Beach and Shell Beach. The main transit hub is at Ramona Garden Park at 9th Street and Ramona Ave.

Do
Go to Pismo State Beach, where vehicles are permitted on the beach, by traveling west on Grand Avenue from Highway 1.

Go next

 * Pismo Beach - Grover Beach's neighbor to the north is a tourism-focused coastal town that has more than 65 restaurants and 30 lodging options, and draws visitors with its beautiful coastline, annual clam festival, and the thousands of monarch butterflies that gather to spend the winter in a grove at the edge of town.

title: Grover Beach


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Grozny

Grozny (Russian: Гро́зный GROHZ-nyh) is the capital city of Chechnya. Since the end of the Second Chechen War in 2009, Grozny has undergone a renaissance in development, and many abandoned or low-quality apartments and houses have been demolished and replaced with newer re-built apartment buildings and suburbs. Grozny was built as a Russian fort. Throughout 1994 and the early 2000s, much of the city was razed to the ground as the Russian military battled Chechen separatist rebels.

Understand
Grozny was founded in 1818 as a Russian fort. It was a major stronghold for the Russians during the Caucasian Wars of 1818-1864. During the early 20th century, population boomed because of the city's rich oil reserves, which drew many Russians from other parts of the country to work in the city.

During World War II, Josef Stalin accused the Chechen people as a whole of working with the Nazis to overthrow the Soviet government. The Chechens were labeled as a "traitor people". It was decided to deport all Chechens and Ingushis from the then Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Republic into exile in Central Asia. The republic was abolished and re-peopled with settlers from other parts of the Soviet Union: neighbouring North Ossetia, South Ossetia and Dagestan, Central Russia, Georgia and the Ukraine. When many of Stalin's oppressive policies were condemned and rolled back by the new Soviet leadership after 1956, the Chechen-Inglush Autonomous Republic was reinstated and Chechens were allowed to return to their homeland, doubling its population. However, no provisions were made to return the non-Chechen newcomers to their original places of residence or to compensate returning Chechens for the homes and property that they had lost, much of it now in hands of the newcomers. This and the experience of deportation caused bitter resentment between the Chechen and non-Chechen populations of the Republic. Many Chechens with no means to subsist in the countryside anymore settled in Grozny, which had been an industrial city with a predominantly Russian population even before the deportation, having only a handful of Chechen residents up until then.

In the 1990s, rebels began to form groups in an attempt to wrest Russian control of the city and the rest of Chechnya from Russia. The government lost partial control and the city was dangerous. Peace began to return during the late stages of the war in the 2000s, and what was once dubbed the "most destroyed city in the world" has been largely rebuilt, now sporting beautiful tree-lined boulevards and cafes.

Get in
Because Grozny was devastated by years of war, transportation is often tricky and hard as much of Grozny's transportation system has been destroyed. However, since reconstruction began, it's possible to take a flight to the city or use a train, bus or the convenient highway system.

By plane
For Sep 2016 there were only three main gateways to Grozny by air: the Vnukovo and Domodedovo Airports in Moscow and Bishkek Airport in Kyrgyzstan.

By train
A night train departs from Moscow every second day, taking two nights. Due to terrorist threats, this train is heavily guarded, expect delays and hassles. Also, there is a night train from Rostov-on-the-Don and a day train from Astrakhan. Local trains connect with Khasavyurt and Gudermes.

By car
Grozny is connected to the rest of Russia by a large highway system. The P-308, P-307 and M-29 highways connect the city to other cities in Russia. Keep in mind that it's best to take a map with you, or else you can get lost.

By bus
A bus usually leaves from Nazran to Grozny and other cities in the Caucasus region of Russia, so remember when you are going to stop.

Get around
It's very difficult to get around Grozny since during the Siege of Grozny the tram and trolley system was almost destroyed. The tram system is not expected to re-open, but trolley buses have re-started. The trolley bus system still has not fully developed, so it's best to use a car in the city. There is a (religious) taxi company operating in the city called Islam, which uses green-painted cars.

See

 * Another good place to go is to Downtown Grozny which features many lights and shops and restaurants that are at good prices. There are also many stands which sell fruit and beer.
 * Another good place to go is to Downtown Grozny which features many lights and shops and restaurants that are at good prices. There are also many stands which sell fruit and beer.
 * Another good place to go is to Downtown Grozny which features many lights and shops and restaurants that are at good prices. There are also many stands which sell fruit and beer.

Do

 * On weekends, you can go and watch some football at the Sultan Bilimkhanov Stadium. FC Terek Grozny plays there in the Russian Premier League.

Buy
Because of the regional war's effect on the economy, many items in Grozny are cheap. Don't expect to find many Western essentials you can find in stores of other parts of the country. Many authentic swords and daggers can be bought at low prices. There is a flea market with many Chechen and Russian merchants. Again, don't expect much and expect to find some bootleg copies of well-known products.

Eat

 * Café Oasis is a reasonable place to eat in central Grozny, although it may be difficult to find so a guide may be needed.

Drink
There are no bars in the city as local Sharia law prohibits drinking alcohol in public, but there are many local vendors which sell beer. Beer can only be sold legally between 08:00 and 10:00. The city is also home to many cafes serving Chechen food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Sleep

 * A good and cheap hotel is the Hotel Arena City. The hotel is new and modern, and has many essentials you can find in other hotels in the rest of the country. Many other hotels are being built. It is reported that rebels closely monitor hotels, so be careful.

Stay safe
The political situation has stabilized, and Grozny is no longer a warzone. It is now as safe to visit as any other part of Russia, but be careful of approaching unidentified objects, as they could be unexploded ordnance left behind from the war.

Go next

 * Argun — a city that is a few miles east of Grozny along the highway.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Grozny


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Grude

Grude is a town of 18,000 people (2013) in the region of Herzegovina in western Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Get in

 * 49 km from Mostar,
 * 19 km from Imotski
 * 100 km from Split.

Through Grude goes master road M-6 Grude - Ljubuški - Čapljina - Metković.

There are also 3 regional roads:
 * R 420 Grude - Privalj - Široki Brijeg - Mostar
 * R 421 Sovići - Klobuk
 * Grude-Posušje regional road

title: Grude


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Grudziądz

Grudziądz is a brick Gothic town in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland.

By car
Getting in by car is easy. When coming from Gdańsk, take the main road south, which is mostly signed as. The journey time from Gdańsk is around 1 hr 20 minutes. Coming from Toruń, take the heading north. The journey from Toruń takes around 50 minutes.

See

 * Medieval urban plan of the city with remnants of Teutonic Knights castle on a hill, city walls with Water Gate, brick houses and churches of various denominations.
 * 19th century Citadel, part of Grudziądz Fortress
 * granaries origin from XIII-XVII century

title: Grudziądz


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Grundy

Grundy is the county seat of Buchanan County, in Southwest Virginia, near the border with Kentucky and West Virginia.

title: Grundy


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Gruyères

Gruyères is a town in Switzerland and the capital of the district of Gruyère in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland. Its German name is Greyerz. This medieval town is an important tourist location in the upper valley of the Saane river, and gives its name to the well-known Gruyère cheese. While its most famous landmark (other than the cheese) is the castle, the old town is lovely as well.

By car
From Lausanne, Vevey, Fribourg you have to follow the highway until you reach Bulle and then follow the road to Gruyères.

By train
Gruyères is served by a train coming from the town of Bulle, which has regular services to Fribourg and Bern and thence to the rest of the Swiss railway network. From the railway station it's a 15 minutes walk uphill to the old town area. The cheese factory is just adjacent to the station.

Do

 * Try ice cream made from the local dairy herds.
 * Enjoy the scenic "chemin de Gruyère" hike from Gruyères to Charmey through the spectacular Jaun gorge.

Eat
You will be able to eat a cheese fondue made of Gruyère and Vacherin in every restaurants of Gruyères. Gruyères is also famous for its double cream which is served with meringues or berries.

Go next

 * Fribourg - capital of the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland

title: Gruyères


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Grytviken

Grytviken is a former whaling station on South Georgia Island. It was founded in 1904 as it had the best harbour on this storm-wracked island, with flat ice-free terrain and a fresh water supply. It became South Georgia's principal station and settlement, and a port-of-call for ships heading to Antarctica. The name is Swedish for "Pot Bay" as the settlers found big pots in which earlier parties had boiled up seal fat to extract the oil. 20th-century whaling destroyed the whale populations, and Grytviken was abandoned in 1966. It now has no resident population, but a few staff stay here in summer to manage visitors.

Get in
is the landing stage and the capital of South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands, 1 km east of Grytviken along a dirt track. All vessels must have prior permission to visit, and there's a charge for each visitor, see SGSSI for details. Vessels visiting SGSSI for the first time must check in here for a physical inspection. King Edward Point Research Station and the post office are next to the landing stage.

Get around
You can easily walk around the settlement, although portions of the derelict whaling station and the base on King Edward Point are off-limits to visitors. The hills around the station are also worth exploring for more intrepid visitors, but the terrain can be rough.

See

 * was abandoned in 1966, to moulder in jaunty hues of rust-orange. Use the museum's map (available online) to see which large structure was for which step in dismembering the whales.
 * predates the church, opening in 1902 for perished whalers, but previous burials are from 1846. The most famous grave is of Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) who navigated a small boat from Elephant Island to bring help to his marooned men, but on a later expedition he died at South Georgia. Also interred are the ashes of Frank Wild (1873-1939), his deputy who remained in charge of the marooned men, and who was also on that last expedition. A shoe-string affair, it tried to continue south after the loss of Shackleton but was forced back by thick ice, lack of key equipment and muddled objectives. Wild's ashes lay forgotten in a vault in Johannesburg until traced and re-interred here in 2011. A further grave is of Félix Artuso, an Argentine submarine Petty Officer shot dead in the 1982 British recapture of South Georgia. He already had been taken prisoner, but a trigger-twitchy Briton thought he was trying to sabotage his submarine.
 * is the end of the track east of King Edward Point. There's a memorial cairn to Sir Ernest Shackleton, erected by his crew in 1922. Watch out for fur seals, which may be aggressive, and elephant seals - over 100 are born hereabouts in Oct/Nov.
 * predates the church, opening in 1902 for perished whalers, but previous burials are from 1846. The most famous grave is of Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) who navigated a small boat from Elephant Island to bring help to his marooned men, but on a later expedition he died at South Georgia. Also interred are the ashes of Frank Wild (1873-1939), his deputy who remained in charge of the marooned men, and who was also on that last expedition. A shoe-string affair, it tried to continue south after the loss of Shackleton but was forced back by thick ice, lack of key equipment and muddled objectives. Wild's ashes lay forgotten in a vault in Johannesburg until traced and re-interred here in 2011. A further grave is of Félix Artuso, an Argentine submarine Petty Officer shot dead in the 1982 British recapture of South Georgia. He already had been taken prisoner, but a trigger-twitchy Briton thought he was trying to sabotage his submarine.
 * is the end of the track east of King Edward Point. There's a memorial cairn to Sir Ernest Shackleton, erected by his crew in 1922. Watch out for fur seals, which may be aggressive, and elephant seals - over 100 are born hereabouts in Oct/Nov.
 * is the end of the track east of King Edward Point. There's a memorial cairn to Sir Ernest Shackleton, erected by his crew in 1922. Watch out for fur seals, which may be aggressive, and elephant seals - over 100 are born hereabouts in Oct/Nov.

Do

 * is reached by a short hike up the track south of the settlement; it's now a reservoir driving a hydroelectric power plant. Nice views, though the terns can get stroppy and dive-bomb you.
 * Hike to Maiviken, a small cove across the hills to the north. The path is straightforward but some sections are a game of hopscotch across the grass tussocks above the mud - tiring out of proportion to the 3.5 km distance, allow 2-3 hours each way. You might want to turn around at the saddle of the hill, or have a Zodiac pick you up at Maiviken. There are three small landing coves here: please use Poa Cove to avoid disturbing the gentoo penguins in Tortula Cove, and at times the fur seals render all the beaches inaccessible. The walk is graded Green - there must be at least one staff member per 20 visitors, and no more than 100 visitors.
 * Clean yourself and kit before moving to another site on the island, to avoid cross-contamination of seeds or micro-organisms. Two foreign weeds particularly needing control are Bittercress (Cardamine flexuosa) and Pearlwort (Sagina procumbens) - you must stay out of areas where these persist to avoid spreading them.

Buy
The gift shop in the museum sells books of local interest, posters and other souvenirs. British pounds, Falklands pounds, euros and US dollars are accepted, as are Visa and Mastercard (but not Amex).

The post office is open upon request, 1 km away at King Edward Point, and has postcards, stamps, first day covers, South Georgia coins and a few SGSSI government publications for sale.

Eat
You must bring all your own food, but you may not bring fresh food ashore: chocolates and toffees are okay.

Don't eat the wildlife (any edible reindeer meat has already been scoffed), and don't feed it either. There's nothing here that wants to eat you.

Drink

 * The bar at King Edward Point is only for staff.
 * As in any cold, arduous climate, only take alcohol once you're safely back aboard your ship for the night.
 * However there is one honourable exception: it's become the custom to drink a toast at Shackleton's grave, but sparing a morsel to splash on it. It doesn't matter what you drink, both schnapps and sake have a tradition among whalers, but byob. "Mackinlay's Shackleton Blended Malt" is a modern Scotch blend by Whyte & Mackay replicating a whisky taken on Shackleton's 1907-09 Nimrod expedition. Many supplies were left behind at the base hut on Ross Island, but only in 2006 was their stash of whisky and brandy discovered there.

Sleep
Visitors sleep aboard their ship. Staying ashore overnight anywhere in SGSSI makes it an expedition, requiring expensive prior approval.

Connect
There is no mobile phone signal. You may be able to use your ship's satellite phone.

There is a postbox by the museum, and stamps and postcards can be bought in the gift shop. Mail will reach most destinations in two or three weeks. Mail can also be sent from the post office at King Edward Point.

Stay safe

 * Several areas are off limits because of unsafe old buildings or to avoid disturbing wildlife. Pay careful attention to the briefing before your group sets out: transgressors may be busted off future shore excursions.
 * Selfie-sticks are a remarkable example of convergent evolution. If a fur seal charges you for encroaching, use the stick to tickle its whiskers: they seem to interpret this as the whisker of a superior seal that should be deferred to. If a tern attacks, hold the stick above your head and it will savage this instead of your scalp, while you retreat away from its nest.

Go next

 * Cruise parties often visit Grytviken first before touring the rest of South Georgia island.
 * After that, ships may head for the Antarctic Peninsula, or go west for the Falkland Islands and mainland ports of Tierra del Fuego.
 * It's rare for cruises to visit the South Sandwich Islands, as these are so remote and lack safe landing areas.

title: Grytviken


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Gstaad

Gstaad is a mountain resort in the Bernese Highlands (Berner Oberland) in Switzerland. The village is at 1050 m altitude, with local skiing only up to 2200 m, but it's linked by ski-lift to the higher areas of Les Diablerets.

Get in
Gstaad is in the MOB (Montreux Oberland Bernois) railway line which runs from Montreux to Zweisimmen. Some of the trains are Golden Pass Panoramic or Classic trains, which cost no more but are worth getting. The Panoramic carriages have plenty of glass, which enables you to see more of the spectacular views as you climb up from Lake Geneva. You can also book and pay extra to sit in right at the front of the train - the driver's cabin is perched above your head and it feels like you are in charge. The Classic carriages are all wood-lined and have waitress service for drinks - it's like being on the Orient Express! The trip from Montreux to Gstaad cost Fr. 48 return in 2008 and is worth it just for the scenery. If you go during the Montreux Jazz festival you can catch a special jazz train, which has live music in dedicated carriages for a few francs extra.

Get around
In the winter there are ski buses, some of which (the grey minibuses) are free for everyone, while the fare on others in included in your lift pass.

In summer, if you're staying three days, buy the Easy Access Pass (Fr. 12 a day for adults) which gives you virtually unlimited local travel, including most of the cable cars. It also gives access to some of the fantastic outdoor swimming pools, including the enormous one at the Palace Hotel.

Do
Take your time to enjoy the spectacular scenery and breathe in the mountain air!

In the winter, ski, snowboard, sledge or hike. There are 220 km of trails served by 53 lifts. It's ideal for beginner or intermediate skiers, and what it lacks in serious black runs it more than makes up for in its off-piste and ski-touring opportunities.

In the summer, many of the lifts run. You can hire mountain scooters to career back down, or have a go on one of the summer luges. Hiking is magnificent in the summer: there are dozens if miles of marked trails. You can find a via ferrata on the Horneggli and the Videmanette, with routes ranging from the trivial to the downright frightening.

Connect
As of Dec 2022, Gstaad and its approach roads have 4G from Salt and 5G from Sunrise and Swisscom.

title: Gstaad


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Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the capital of the central state of Jalisco in Mexico, and the second-largest city in the country, with about a million and a half citizens (known as "Tapatíos"). It is considered a colonial city, though much of its architecture dates from the independence period. Although it has a far more relaxed feel than Mexico City, the city center can still seem a bit stuffy and dusty, especially during rush hour when the sun is out. All in all, however, it is a lovely city and contains many nice areas for walking, not just in the center.

Understand
Guadalajara is Mexico's second largest city, and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country. This growth has been driven in part by the booming electronics industry in the industrial outskirts of the city. Other important and growing industries are pharmaceuticals, food processing, and fashion.

Orientation
Guadalajara proper is divided into four districts corresponding approximately to the northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast quarters of the city. At the center of everything is the main area of interest to tourists, the Centro Histórico, or the historic downtown. Most of your time will probably be spent here. It is filled with colonial-era buildings and, famously, also boasts several important mural paintings by Jalisco-born José Clemente Orozco, one of Mexico's most important artists.

Outside the Centro Histórico are:

 * Sector Hidalgo— in northwest of the Centro Histórico, Hidalgo is a largely residential sector encompassing the financial district and the Country Club Guadalajara.
 * Sector Libertad— northeast of the Centro Histórico, Sector Libertad is mostly given over to industrial use. However, the southwest part of the sector, close to the Centro Histórico, boasts a traditional market (Mercado Libertad) and the Plaza de los Mariachis.
 * Sector Juárez— southwest of the Centro Histórico, Sector Juárez is a shoppers' paradise: it boasts two shopping malls (Centro Magno and Galerias), as well as the popular Minerva, Chapultepec, and Zona Rosa shopping areas.
 * Sector Reforma— southeast of the Centro Histórico, Reforma is also a mostly industrial sector, but visitors will no doubt be interested in the pleasant, tree-filled Parque Agua Azul, as well as the Tianguis Cultural de Guadalajara, a street market where alternative clothing and articles such as spiked belts, black trenchcoats, military uniforms, used books and trading cards are for sale at good prices.

Still further from central Guadalajara are several suburbs (municipios) that are cities in their own right. Several of these are also of interest to visitors, including:

 * Tlaquepaque — about 30 minutes by car southeast of the Centro Histórico, downtown Tlaquepaque is a charming streetscape redolent of old Mexico. An important arts and crafts center, Tlaquepaque has a vibrant shopping district where you can buy local pottery and handicrafts, as well as many lovely restaurants, art galleries, and a regional ceramics museum.
 * Tonalá — immediately east of Tlaquepaque, Tonalá contains Guadalajara's main bus station, handicraft shops and markets, and the large Parque Solidaridad.
 * Zapopan — a large, busy suburb southwest of Guadalajara, is famous for the old-fashioned charm of its downtown, its active nightlife fueled by the three large private universities within the city limits (Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Tecnológico de Monterrey and Universidad del Valle de Atemajac), its proliferation of modern shopping malls that will make American suburbanites feel right at home, and—by contrast—also large expanses of pristine nature, such as the Bosque de Colomos and the gargantuan Bosque La Primavera.

The 275-diagonal bus route runs from Tlaquepaque through the Centro to Zapopan, providing convenient access to all of these outer districts.

History
The co-founders of Guadalajara were Doña Beatriz de Hernández and Governor Cristobal de Oñate. In the Plaza de los Fundadores there is a monument in honor of both of them.

Guadalajara, and Jalisco in general, were the epicenter of the Cristero Wars (1926-1929) — a rebellion by Catholic guerrillas against the secularizing reforms of President Plutarco Calles. One of the first armed conflicts of the rebellion took place in Guadalajara in the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe on August 3, 1926, where a group of several hundred Cristeros engaged in a shootout with federal troops. Guadalajara was attacked (unsuccessfully) by the Cristero armies in March 1929.

In the 1950s, Avenida Juárez was widened to create today's arterial road of Juárez-Vallarta which you see today. A famous part of that work was the moving of the central telephone exchange without the disruption of service. Pictures of this feat of engineering can be seen in the City Museum (Museo de la Ciudad).

In April 1992, Sector Reforma was rocked by a huge explosion of gasoline, when a gasoline pipeline leaked into the sewers over a period of days until the fumes finally detonated. Some 200 Tapatíos were killed and several thousand injured. The explosion affected mostly the working-class and industrial areas on the south side of the city.

In May 1993, Cardinal Juan Jesús Posadas Ocampo of Guadalajara was killed at the Guadalajara airport. Though at the time the murder was thought to have been some sort of politically motivated assassination, subsequent investigations favor the theory that the cardinal was caught by mistake in drug-related violence, his motorcade having been mistaken for that of a drug lord. Cardinal Ocampo is buried beneath the high altar of the Catedral de Guadalajara, probably because it was first suspected that the motives for his murder were political, rather than accidental.

By plane
At the airport, always buy the taxi chit from the booth before exiting the terminal, then present it to the licensed driver. Many hotels offer airport pickups that can be cheaper.

Uber drivers are not allowed to pick up passengers at the airport. A common way to get around this limitation is to walk outside the airport a few minutes away to the nearby UPS distribution center (labeled as "Centro de Envios UPS" on Google maps). Set your Uber pick up location at this UPS center, which is outside the airport's restrictions and a driver will pick you up there.

The app Moovit finds a better bus connection from the airport to your accommodation than Google Maps (as of Dec 2021). The bus stops at the bottom of Terminal 1 and goes to the Old Bus Station close to the Centro Histórico and costs M$9.50 (Dec 2021). To get to the bus station of the airport, take a right upon exiting the airport building and follow the signs to the "Terminal Terrestre." Walk past the police station and FedEx building. Pay when getting on the bus.

By bus
Guadalajara has two bus stations:

 * – This is the new main bus station in the suburb of Tonalá, which serves all long-distance routes (generally those which leave the state of Jalisco). From this bus station to the Centro Histórico it's convenient by the subway or e-hailing.

 * (Antigua Estación Central de Autotransporte) – Just south of downtown and is served by bus lines to nearby pueblos such as Tequila and Chapala. The buses themselves are very comfortable.

If you come from León and want to take a second-class van to Guadalajara: Roll&bits has daily rides for about M$200 (May 2022). Just book your ticket online on their website. The vans have a big trunk for luggage.

By carpooling
From and to Puerto Vallarta it's around M$300 (Nov 2021) on Blablacar.

By car

 * Federal Highway 15 (Carretera Federal 15) connects Guadalajara with Mexico City to the east.

Get around
The Centro (downtown) is best accessible by walking. Most attractions lie within an area of about 1 km long by 350 m wide. For longer trips, or to get in and out of the Centro, use the bus, subway or a taxi. There are also horse-drawn carriages (calandrias), which are more expensive and touristy.

By e-hailing
Uber, Cabify and Didi cover the city.

By bus
For finding connections, Moovit and Google Maps cover the city including the subway. Regular buses cost M$9.50 (Dec 2021). You can pay with the public transport card or in cash. You don't get change. If paying with a bill, you can fold it and push it through the coin slot inside the bus.

The bus stops are shown in Google Maps or when calculating a route with Moovit. Not all bus stops have a signpost with a blue sign and a picture of a bus as well as triangular markings on the road with the word parada (bus stop).

Some bus lines show a different bus line number on their destination screen. When you wait for a bus, check the destination screen, the windshield and on the left of the front door, whether it's your bus line. It might be good to always ask the bus driver if he goes to your destination.

Dozens of bus routes provide transportation around the city. There are also luxury buses (Turquesa, Tour and Cardenal). Look on the front window of the bus to determine its destination, and ask the driver if you're uncertain.

Riding the bus also provides a good chance to see different parts of the city and get your bearings. Bus drivers will give you change within limits, though after even a day in Guadalajara you might find more 10-peso pieces in your pocket than you can dispose of.

Metropolitan Area Mass Transit System (Sistema de Transporte Colectivo de la Zona Metropolitana). Alternatively, try Busca Tu Ruta (Search for Your Route). One particularly useful method for getting back and forth between the Centro Histórico and the Zona Rosa/Minerva area is the Guadalajara Trolley Bus (Trolebús de Guadalajara). Westbound trolleys travel along Avenida Vallarta; eastbound trolleys along Avenida Hidalgo. Just look overhead for the pair of electrical power cables. In the Centro Histórico you can catch the Trolebús on Avenida Hidalgo up to the east side of the Plaza de la Liberación, where it makes the turn to head up to Calzada Independencia and back west.

There is also an open-top double-decker tourist bus (TuriBus) that leaves from the Rotunda and will take you past all the main sites in Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque and Zapopan. Riders can get on and off the bus at will all day long, for a flat rate.

By taxi
Taxis are another option if you don't want to try to figure out the buses. You can either agree on a price with the cab driver or ask him to turn the meter on. Using the latter option, there is a risk that the driver won't the take the shortest possible route if he thinks you don't know it yourself. The meter will normally be a better price than the price the hotel will tell you to pay if they call you a cab. As always, be sure to ask the fare before you get in. Cabs cost more at night or when they have to cross the outer ring (Anillo Periférico) of the city. At night, the prices are doubled. If the driver is using a meter, there's also a starting price.

Fares to and from the airport are set. If arriving at the Guadalajara airport, a taxi monopoly provides the service from the airport. Pay for your taxi ride at the booths outside of the arrival halls. You can take a normal taxi to the airport, though.

By subway
There is a light-rail subway system (the Tren Ligero) that can be useful for travelers who are headed where the trains go. There are two lines that meet at the western edge of the Centro Histórico, and a third line that runs diagonally across the city. One runs north-to-south beneath Avenida Federalismo to the edges of the city in both directions. The second runs west-to-east through the Centro Histórico to the eastern suburbs, and the third runs diagonally across the city from Zapopan in the northwest to Tlaquepaque in the southeast.

The fare is M$9.50 (Dec 2021). You can pay with the public transport card or by cash at the machine: For the latter just push on the blue button on the screen. The machine does not give you change. The subway closes at 23:00.

A public transport card costs M$30 (Dec 2021) and can be purchased e.g. at a ticket machine of a subway station. It can be used for the metro, bus and bikesharing.

A new bus service named Pre-Tren ("Pre-Train") extends from the main subway station (Juárez) through the Zona Rosa to the west Anillo Periférico at a 50% discounted fare for subway card users. Pre-Trenes provide a good service with air-conditioned, red-colored units. The service is better than the smaller buses (camiones).

By car
You may also rent a car from airport, most major car rental companies such Avis, National Car Rental, City Car Rental,Hertz and Europcar have booths at the baggage claim area. There are also some local car rentals such as Veico Car Rental and Mobix Car Rental just outside the airport that also have good cars and often lower prices.

Centro Histórico and nearby

Tlaquepaque and Tonala
The municipalities of Tlaquepaque and Tonala to the southeast of Guadalajara are essentially suburbs, though they retain muc of their small-town charm. They had similar origins in originally being settlements of indigenous tribes with a pottery industry and were overtaken by the Spanish conquistador Nuño de Guzmán in 1530. Tlaquepaque also hosted Miguel Hidalgo on his way to Guadalajara in the Mexican War of Independence. Today the hallmark feature of these places is still pottery, though shops with furniture, textiles and other handicrafts are plentiful. In Tonala, don't miss the Thursday and Sunday street market revolving around handicrafts in front of the main church.

Huentitán

City tour
You can make a sightseeing tour in a very economically and animal friendly carriage. These are not powered by a horse, instead by a battery like an electric car. The start is at the cathedral. Prices are M$300 for half an hour, M$400-500 for a whole hour (Dec 2021).

Sports
Guadalajara's sports culture is one of the most vibrant in Mexico, with a well-developed infrastructure of stadiums and facilities, achievements under its belt such as its successful turn as the host of the 2011 Pan-American Games, world-class athletes such as professional golfer Lorena Ochoa calling the city home, and big plans for the future. Guadalajara is also home to many ballet schools surrounding the metropolitan area.

Football
Of course, one would be remiss in talking about Guadalajara sports without mentioning the three professional football (futbol, i.e. what Americans call soccer) teams based there: Estudiantes, Atlas, and of course, Chivas. Chivas, more properly known as Club Deportivo Guadalajara, is, according to FIFA, the most popular football team in Mexico. Chivas has won 11 first-division titles and holds the longest-ever season-opening winning streak: 8 back-to-back wins. Chivas is also the only football team in Mexico with exclusively Mexican players, whereas other teams have players of varying nationalities. The team colors are red, white, and blue, signifying "Fraternity, Union, and Sports". The new stadium, Estadio Akron, with a capacity of 49,850, was inaugurated in 2010.

Baseball
Guadalajara hosts teams in both of Mexico's major professional leagues. Both play in the Estadio los Charros de Jalisco in the suburban municipality of Zapopan. The stadium was built in 2011 for the Panamerican Games and is often referred to as Estadio Panamericana, though it was purchased by the Charros.

Out of town trips

 * – 65km in the west. Situated in a picturesque countryside setting, it's perhaps the quintessential Guadalajara side trip, and is the best place to sample Mexico's favorite liquor. The Jose Cuervo distillery has a packaged tour that will pick you up from your hotel, take you to an agave farm, then to the distillery for a tour with free samples and a gift shop, then gift you with vouchers for a free margarita and 10% off at a local restaurant. The city itself is also quaint and worth exploring. Tequila is easily accessible by bus (about 90 minutes one-way), and many hotels organize excursions there for their guests. However, perhaps the most charming way of getting to Tequila is the Tequila Express, a charming tourist railroad complete with tequila shots and roving mariachis. The train leaves Guadalajara's train station Sa & Su 10:00, returning the same evening.}}
 * – 50 km in the south. It's the main regional vacation spot, a lovely lake surrounded by picturesque towns such as Chapala and Ajijic (the latter of which has a sizeable gringo expat community). To Chapala goes a direct bus from the Old Bus Station (Antigua). The 'directo' bus has A/C and takes 1 hour. It costs M$58 (Dec 2021) and departs every full hour from Guadalajara. On the way back the bus departs hourly 15 min after the full hour from Chapala.

Learn
The Universidad de Guadalajara, often referred to simply as "U de G", is the most important institution of higher learning in western Mexico, and the second most important in the country after Mexico City's mammoth UNAM. The University also serves as a center of cultural activity enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, such as the Ballet Folclórico and the.

Guadalajara offers many language schools for the fast growing need for learning Spanish.

Buy
In the centro are ATMs of BanCoppel, Banjercito, BanBajio and Citibanamex.

In the Americana district are an Banca Inbursa ATM inside the Sanborns, BanBajio, Banca Mifel and Santander.

In the centro and Americana neighborhood are some stores of Oxxo and 7eleven as well as some minimarkets. On the Av Juárez is the.

The shopping scene in Guadalajara is centered around two opposing faces of Latin American culture: traditional open-air markets (tianguis) and the modern shopping plazas and malls that, more and more, are sprouting up around the outskirts of town. The latter can be found in particular proliferation southwest of the Centro Histórico in Sector Juárez, as well as in suburban municipios such as Zapopan.

A refreshing exception to this rule is the historic downtown district of Tlaquepaque, southeast of Guadalajara proper. This area is characterized by a lively collection of shops centered on the pedestrian-only streets, Calle Independencia and Avenida Juárez. Emphasized in these charming shops are arts and handicrafts of all kinds: one-of-a-kind handmade furniture, textiles, jewelry, paintings, sculptures, glassware, home decor, and even chocolate.

Tianguis
These temporary open-air street markets or bazaars are a Mexican tradition dating back to the Aztec days, and are a great way to get up close and personal with local culture at its most real—and score some bargains in the process. Some of the biggest tianguis in Guadalajara include:

Eat
In rare cases this may happen towards foreign tourists: For example, when trying to get some tacos or a burger or something from a street food vendor, the vendor will tell you not to worry about the price, and when it's time to pay you will get an inflated bill. Be sure to ask for the price before you order. If the vendor tells you not to worry about the price, say "necesito saber" (I need to know). Of course, do this with a smile and you will not be ripped off.

Local specialties
Birria, tortas ahogadas, and chilaquiles are some of the most traditional Tapatío dishes.

– The food court is a good place to sample the variety of local specialties. You can go eat here multiple times, as there is a big variety of cooked meals. You can also find Chinese and Japanese dishes. The majority of the food stalls has price tags. Most vendors let you walk through the food court without disturbing you. The prices are low. It's open daily from 8:00-20:00.

 * Birria is a savory stew made of roast chiles, spices and traditionally goat meat, though you will usually be given other meat options like mutton or beef depending on the restaurant. For birria, the restaurants in the Nueve Esquinas area (a few blocks south of Templo San Francisco) are popular and reliably good.
 * Tortas ahogadas (literally "drowned sandwiches") are elongated sandwiches on birote bread, akin to submarines or po' boys, smothered in a savory chile and tomato sauce. Numerous restaurants in the Centro Histórico specialize in these.
 * Pozole is a hearty soup of pork and hominy topped with fresh cabbage, radish, onion and cilantro. There are some very good pozole stands in the food court of the Mercado Libertad.
 * Mollete. Popular for breakfast among locals, this is a French-style roll split and covered with refried beans, then topped with ham or chorizo and cheese and toasted.
 * Tamales consist of pockets of masa (a starchy dough of corn flour) filled with mole (a sauce or gravy made from any of an infinite combination of chili peppers, spices, and chocolate) and the choice of chicken or pork. Most people make tamales for holidays such as Christmas, the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Independence Day, or New Year's Day.
 * Enchiladas are a corn or flour tortilla rolled around and filled with meat, cheese, vegetables and/or potatoes and covered with spicy chile sauce, dressed variously in sour cream and/or cheese.

Restaurants
In addition to traditional Mexican specialties, Tapatíos seem to be especially fond of Italian food—a considerable number of restaurants of that type can be found around Guadalajara. If you miss American fast food, worry not: in addition to the restaurants listed here, Guadalajara has 14 McDonald's outlets.

Budget
In the centro and Americana district you find several low priced restaurants and eateries, even more in the streets around the eatery El Vegano Urbano (in the west of the Centro and in the east of Americana). To find a low priced place to eat near your accommodation, you can search in Google Maps for "cheap restaurant" and filter by price ('$' symbol).

Between centro and the Americana neighborhood

Drink
Guadalajara has a vibrant nightlife that's spread out all over the city, from the touristy places in the Centro Histórico (Plaza de la Liberación is a good place to start your search) to the college bars in Zapopan. However, perhaps the most active bar district in Guadalajara is centered along Avenida Chapultepec between Hidalgo and Niños Héroes, about 2 km west of the Centro Histórico. This is the place where GDL's hipster crowd makes the scene, with bar after bar lining the sides of the streets. Many of these places double as popular live music venues.

A good suggestion is to search out a bar with a large collection of tequilas and taste a great blanca, reposada and añejo. If you ask for a traditional tequila from Los Altos, you will almost certainly get something good. Los Altos is the region northeast of Guadalajara where the best tequila in the world is made, bringing up images of tradition, patriotism and individualism.

Sleep
If you plan to spend much time downtown, don't get a hotel farther away—it's much more convenient to be within walking distance of your daytime activities.

Budget
There are many inexpensive hotels available in the city center, especially around the old bus station (Central Vieja / Antigua).

around the Old Bus Station (Antigua) south of the Centro Histórico:
The stated prices here are as of December 2021 for two persons per night and only when reserved directly at the hotel. All listed hotel rooms are with private bathroom, hot water and without A/C.

Stay safe
Guadalajara is known as one of the safest cities in Mexico. Nonetheless, as in any large city, the usual precautions should be taken. Crimes against tourists and foreign students are quite infrequent and mostly take the form of purse-snatching. Criminals usually work in teams and target travelers in outdoor restaurants, bars and other busy places. Should anyone spill something on you, be alert to your surroundings and step away—accidental spills are a common method of distracting their marks.

Never carry illegal substances with you; Mexican police are very strict regarding these cases.

Football
Due to the intense rivalry between local club Chivas and Mexico City-based Club América, you should avoid wearing Club América jerseys in Guadalajara unless you want to risk getting singled out for harassment or worse by local fans.

Emergency numbers

 * Emergency: 066
 * Police: +52 (33) 3668 0800
 * Fire: +52 (33) 3619 5155 or +52 (33) 3691 0510
 * Air and Land Ambulance: +52 (33) 3616 9616
 * Green Angels (road assistance): +52 (33) 3668-1800 ext. 31489

In an emergency, it's also a good idea to get in contact with the embassy or consulate of your country of origin.

Consulates

 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Go next
Your next destination for staying can be...:

To the east

 * Guanajuato – 275 km. A beautiful mountain colonial town and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. A variety of mines are there to be visited. In the evening you can join traditionally dressed Mexicans singing and walking through the old-town.
 * San Miguel de Allende – 340 km. A city known for relaxing. There are thermal pools just outside the city. The old town is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * Querétaro – 360 km. Capital of the state Quéretaro. A big aqueduct goes through the city. You can taste a Gordita Queretana. The old town is – you guess it – an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To the north-east

 * San Juan de los Lagos – 145 km. The second-most visited pilgrimage site in Mexico (after the Basílica de Guadalupe in Mexico City).
 * San Luis Potosí – 330 km. The capital of the state of San Luis Potosí. The historic center displays a great mixture of different artistic styles and is a major example of colonial architecture in Mexico. The historical center is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To the west

 * Puerto Vallarta – 330 km. Nearby are the coastal villages Bucerias, Sayulita and San Francisco (Mexico)

To the north-west

 * Tepic – 205 km. The capital of Nayarit
 * Mazatlan – It's recommended to take a flight into and out of the city.

By air
Guadalajara has low-cost flights for example to:
 * Cabo San Lucas and La Paz on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.
 * Oaxaca
 * Tuxtla in Chiapas
 * Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Escondido at the Pacific coast
 * Cancún and Mérida on the Yucatan peninsula
 * Mexico City

title: Guadalajara


text:
Guadalcanal

Guadalcanal is one of the Solomon Islands. Honiara contains a wealth of World War II sites: most of the hills in the Honiara area were the sites of fierce battles during World War II.

The island was the scene of fierce fighting during the Second World War; see Pacific War.

Understand
Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands.

History
In the months following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the Japanese drove the Americans out of the Philippines, the British out of British Malaya, and the Dutch out of the East Indies. The Japanese then began to expand into the Western Pacific, occupying many islands in an attempt to build a defensive ring around their conquests and threaten the lines of communication from the United States to Australia and New Zealand. The Japanese reached Guadalcanal in May 1942.

When an American reconnaissance mission spotted construction of a Japanese airfield at Lunga Point on the north coast of Guadalcanal, the situation became critical. This new Japanese airfield represented a threat to Australia itself, and so the United States as a matter of urgency, despite not being adequately prepared, conducted the first amphibious landing of the war. The initial landings of US Marines on 7 August 1942 secured the airfield without too much difficulty, but holding the airfield for the next six months was one of the most hotly contested campaigns in the entire war for the control of ground, sea and skies. Guadalcanal became a major turning point in the war as it stopped Japanese expansion. After six months of fighting, the Japanese ceased contesting the control of the island. They finally evacuated the island at Cape Esperance on the north west coast in February 1943.

Immediately after landing on the island, the US Navy Seabees began finishing the airfield begun by the Japanese. It was then named Henderson Field after a Marine aviator killed in combat during the Battle of Midway. Aircraft operating from Henderson Field during the campaign were a hodgepodge of Marine, Army, Navy and allied aircraft that became known as the Cactus Air Force. They defended the airfield and threatened any Japanese ships that ventured into the vicinity during daylight hours. However, at night, Japanese naval forces were able to shell the airfield and deliver troops with supplies, retiring before daylight. The Japanese used fast ships to make these runs, and this became known as the Tokyo Express. So many ships from both sides were sunk in the many engagements in and around the Solomon Island chain that the nearby waters were referred to as Ironbottom Sound. The Battle of Cape Esperance was fought on 11 October 1942 off the northwest coast of Guadalcanal. In the battle, United States Navy ships intercepted and defeated a Japanese formation of ships on their way down 'the Slot' to reinforce and resupply troops on the island, but suffered losses as well. The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November marked the turning point in which Allied Naval forces took on the extremely experienced Japanese surface forces at night and forced them to withdraw after sharp action. Some Japanese viewpoints consider these engagements, and the improving Allied surface capability to challenge their surface ships at night, to be just as significant as the Battle of Midway in turning the tide against them.

Get around
Taxis are relatively plentiful and cheap in Honiara. They can be either ordered or flagged down. There are also frequent minibuses that operate along the coastal strip from Henderson to White River making numerous stops along the way (SBD$3 any distance).

Do

 * Take a guided trek to one of the waterfalls nearby, such as the beautiful Matanikau Falls, about a two-hour walk from the starting point a short bus-ride from the city centre.
 * Check out a service at one of the many churches. South Seas Evangelical Church has an easily-found location next to the central markets and beautiful singing. Its main Sunday service is at 9:30am. There is also a smaller evening service there most Sundays at 5pm.
 * Beach it.
 * Wander through the bustling Central Market. It is a site to behold, in particular on Saturday mornings where you can pick up flowers and hand-made jewellery and crafts.
 * And dive, explore, make plans or see the rest of the country...

Buy
There are many craft/souvenir shops located along the coastal strip. Handicrafts such as wooden carvings are also often sold in the covered area of Panatina Plaza carpark. Additionally, the central market is a great place to buy local handicrafts, jewellery and lavalavas (sarongs). The latter come in a range of fabrics and brightly-coloured dip-dyed designs.

There are a number of shops selling secondhand clothing, which can be found easily along the main street and elsewhere. Handmade kids' clothing such as skirts can be found at the Central Market.

Solomon Island Newbie Guide: SHOPPING (What to buy part one) is a helpful guide to shopping in the Solomons, includes some great gift ideas.

Eat
There is surprising variety in Honiara with many restaurants catering to expats. This includes hotels listed below. There are a number of eateries near the museum, to its left if you are facing it from the main road. A range of lunch foods and drinks are on offer, including fish 'n' cassava chips and green (drinking) coconuts. The Central Market, located on the main road, is a great source of fresh fruit and vegetables. Fish and chips, as well as uncooked fish, are also sold there. A helpful list of places to purchase groceries can be found here: Newbie Honiara Guide: Food

Sleep
There are many hotels in Honiara, mainly catering to expats.

Stay safe
Note that there have been civil unrest and riots in this city. It is worth keeping up-to-date with travel advisory warnings, such as those provided by the Australian or New Zealand governments.

Take care whilst at the Central Market for pick-pockets.

title: Guadalcanal


text:
Monterrey/Eastern suburbs

The Eastern suburbs of Monterrey include a number of municipalities, the largest of which are Guadalupe and San Nicolas de los Garza. Monterrey's international airport (MTY) is in the eastern suburb of Apodaca, which has seen tremendous development in the early 21st century, making it one of the fastest growing parts of Monterrey. Escobedo is another large municipality, at least in area, though not in population.

Understand
Monterrey is known as the industrial engine of Mexico, and many of the factories, warehouses, foreign maquiladoras, and other industrial facilities are in the eastern suburbs. Residential areas are interspersed with industrial zones. Most residential areas serve poorer, working class laborers and these are generally not areas that are friendly to tourists.

Get in
See the main article for a more detailed discussion of urban transportation in the Monterrey area.

By air
See the main article for details about the Monterrey airport.

By metro
Metrorrey Line 3 opened in 2021 with service to Guadalupe and San Nicolas. Three stations serve Guadalupe: Eloy Cavazos, Lerdo de Tejada, and Exposicion. Several stations serve San Nicolas along Avenida Adolfo Lopez Mateos: Col. Moderna, Ruiz Cortinas, Los Angeles, and Hospital Metropolitano (terminus of Line 3).

Metrorrey Line 2 has several stops in San Nicolas including: Universidad, Anahuac, and Sendero. The Sendero station is a connecting point for 3 Metrobus routes to nearby neighborhoods. One of these routes serves parts of Apodaca. The San Nicolas station also connects to a Metrobus route.

Get around
Buses, taxis and ride sharing are the best ways to get around in Guadalupe and San Nicolas. Many neighborhoods in this area are poor choices for exploring as a lone pedestrian. There's metrobus service throughout Guadalupe and San Nicolas.

Buy
Small, local businesses dominate the commercial spaces of this part of town and there are few places to attract visitors who want to shop. There is typical name-brand shopping in La Fe, but no unique shops in this part of the city. The best part of Monterrey for name-brand shopping is San Pedro Garza Garcia, with its plethora of glitzy, modern malls and shopping centers.

Eat
Small neighborhood cafes and street food are the most common options in this part of the city. A cluster of new restaurants is available in Apodaca near the airport.

Sleep
The eastern suburbs are not traditionally magnets for visitors and few hotels are in this part of the city. However, the Centro and Fundidora areas are nearby and offer plentiful options. The eastern suburbs include Apodaca with Monterrey's large international airport and there are a large and growing number of hotels serving the MTY airport area. In San Nicolas, a number of cheaper hotels (of often dubious repute) are also scattered along Av. Miguel Aleman along the route to the airport and in San Nicolas and Escobedo along MEX 85 (Carretera Nacional) heading north toward Laredo.

Connect
Cell service is excellent with 5G coverage in the entire area. Most hotels and restaurants offer free WiFi connections. See also main article for Monterrey.

Stay safe
Due to the high incidence of femicide violence in the municipality of Guadalupe, the Gender Violence Alert Against Women was declared on November 18, 2016.

Guadalupe, Escobedo, Apodaca, and San Nicolas are mostly working class neighborhoods where tourists are obvious outsiders who wandered off the beaten path. Be vigilant about your surroundings and use common sense about getting in and around the area.

Go next

 * Santiago
 * Monterrey/Western suburbs
 * Bustamante
 * Cumbres de Monterrey National Park

title: Monterrey/Eastern suburbs


text:
Guadalupe (Arizona)

Guadalupe  is a city in the Greater Phoenix region of Arizona.

Understand
Guadalupe was founded around 1900 by Yaqui Indians, who fled their homeland in Sonora to avoid oppression by the Mexican government of Porfirio Diaz. Since its founding, it has been known as a center of Yaqui culture and it is home to many religious festivals. Respectful visitors are welcome to observe these ceremonies, although photography during ceremonies is forbidden.

Get in
On Interstate 10, take exit 155 for Baseline Rd toward Guadalupe. Head East on Baseline Rd. and turn South on S Avenida Del Yaqui/S Priest Dr

Get around
Valley Metro Bus Lines 56 and 108 go through Guadalupe.

See

 * Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 5445 East Calle San Angelo.

Do
Easter Festival. Yaqui dances, Easter ceremony, and a carnival in front of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Easter Sunday after Easter Mass. The farmer's market on the corner of Guadalupe, featuring fresh produce from local farms great prices.

Buy
Mercado Mexico 8212 South Avenida Del Yaqui (480) 831-5925

Guadalupe Market 8207 South Avenida Del Yaqui (480) 839-2759

Mission Market 8818 South Avenida Del Yaqui (480) 839-2038

Eat
Del Yaqui 9201 S. Del Yaqui Ave (Inside Guadalupe Market) (480) 839-8170 delyaqui.com

San Diego Bay 9201 South Avenida Del Yaqui # 11 (Inside Guadalupe Market)(480) 839-2991 http://sandiegobayseafood.com/

Learn
South Mountain Community College Guadalupe Center 9233 S. Avenida Del Yaqui

Guadalupe Branch Library 9241 S Avenida del Yaqui 602-652-3000

Go next
Guadalupe is very close to Tempe, AZ and Phoenix, AZ. As well as Tempe Mills Mall North on Avenida Del Yaqui/Priest Dr

title: Guadalupe (Arizona)


text:
Guadalupe (California)

Guadalupe is a city in Santa Barbara County, California.

By plane

 * Santa Maria Airport, about 8 mi (13 km) southeast of Guadalupe, is a one terminal airport. Scheduled flights are available to and from Los Angeles (5-6 flights per day on United Airlines) and Las Vegas (Sunday, Wednesday and Friday service only on Allegiant Air.

By car
Nipomo is 8.5 mi (13.6 km) west of Highway 101 on Highway 166

By bus

 * Amtrak has bus service to Guadalupe a couple of times a day.

Go next

 * Santa Maria - Eight miles east of Guadalupe, Santa Maria is the largest city in the county, and is probably best known as the original home of barbecue tri-tip, now referred to as Santa Maria style barbecue. The area is also one of the state's largest wine-producing regions, and has been a filming location for films ranging from The Ten Commandments to Pirates of the Caribbean.
 * Pismo Beach - This tourism-focused coastal town is located 16 miles north of Guadalupe. It has more than 65 restaurants and 30 lodging options, and draws visitors with its beautiful coastline, annual clam festival, and the thousands of monarch butterflies that gather to spend the winter in a grove at the edge of town.
 * Lompoc - 31 miles south of Guadalupe, Lompoc is nicknamed the "City of Arts and Flowers", with more than half the world's flower seeds grown in the fields around the town. The city celebrates its association with flowers every June during the Lompoc Valley Flower festival. The area is also home to Vandenberg Air Force Base, America's west coast spaceport, where rocket launches can sometimes be seen.

title: Guadalupe (California)


text:
Guadalupe (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Guadalupe:
 * Guadalupe, a district in the Monterrey Metropolitan Area in Mexico
 * Guadalupe, a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona
 * Guadalupe, a small city in California
 * Guadeloupe is a French overseas department, composed of a group of islands in the Caribbean

There are also places with names that include "Guadalupe" in them:

 * Villa de Guadalupe, a district in Mexico City
 * Guadalupe Valley, a wine-growing region in Baja California
 * Guadalupe Island, a large desert island more than a hundred miles off the coast of Mexico
 * Guadalupe Mountains National Park, in Texas

title: Guadalupe (disambiguation)


text:
Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, is a national park, in the Big Bend region of the state of Texas. It contains Texas' highest mountains and rugged canyon country.

Landscape
Upon approaching Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the mountains and surrounding desert flats appear very rugged and desolate. There are no trees visible- only boulders, cacti, and a few hardy shrubs. Once you hike up into the mountains, you will find an extremely different environment with temperate and alpine forests, streams, grassy meadows, and a wide variety of plants and animals. Views of the mountains are stunning from the parking lots, but by far the best views are to be had atop the mountains, with views of over a hundred miles common.

The Guadalupe Mountains, or "Guads" in local parlance, are formed of limestone laid down in a vast, prehistoric reef and subsequently fossilized. The most prominent summit is El Capitan (no connection to the feature of the same name in Yosemite National Park, but similarly imposing) at the southern end of the range; nearby Guadalupe Peak is higher (the highest mountain in Texas), but less conspicuous. The limestone composition of the Guads creates challenges for the hiker, as the rock tends to break into chunks that are rapidly worn smooth and behave like ball bearings underfoot. This is a good park in which to wear sturdy hiking boots when you're on the trails. The Guads continue north into New Mexico and contain a great number of caves, including the famous Carlsbad Caverns; Guadalupe Mountains National Park contains a few of these caves, but in general they're smaller and less spectacular than the ones on the New Mexico side of the state line, and in any event are not generally open to the public.

Flora and fauna
The park is largely covered with the usual flora of the Chihuahuan desert (prickly-pear cactus, ocotillo, various yuccas, etc.), but one of its more startling features is a significant stand of native maple trees, quite an outlier in this ecosystem. The maple leaves turn a brilliant red in late fall and can be seen to good advantage from McKittrick Canyon and vicinity. Higher up in the mountains significant remnant forests of ponderosa, pinon and spruce exist, most notably in the area known as "the bowl".

Top predators of the park ecosystem are mountain lion and black bear, but neither are frequently seen. Encounters with coyotes, gray fox, raccoon, and ringtail cat (one of the characteristic species of the park) are more common. Mule deer and elk are the largest herbivores and mostly stay in the mountains, but javelinas are more typical of the desert floor. While bat populations are not as concentrated or as famous as in the "Bat Cave" section of nearby Carlsbad Caverns, there are still 15 or so species of bats that take refuge in the smaller caves of the park.

Over 300 bird species are known from the Guadalupes, although many of them are rare visitors. Large birds include golden eagle, various species of hawk, turkey vulture and sandhill crane. Many species of finch and warbler are present. There are few waterfowl except for accidental visitors during migration season. The largest venomous snake of the park is the western diamondback rattlesnake, but other rattlesnake species are also present. (Not to worry; your chances of a rattler encounter aren't high, although some caution is indicated when out on the trails around sunrise or sunset.)

The park is also home to three different species of the unusual horned lizard.

Climate
The Guadalupes have more rugged and variable weather than their desert setting might suggest. During the summer, temperatures are typically above on the desert floor, and deadly electric storms are common in the mountains. The mountains occasionally experience blizzards during the winter. The park is one of the windiest spots in the country, with winds well in excess of not unknown in the spring.

Visitor information

 * Park website

Get in
The nearest city with major air service is El Paso, about 80 miles west. US highways 62 and 180 lead from El Paso to the park, on good road. Carlsbad (New Mexico) has commuter air service and is about 50 miles from the park on the east side, also along US 62/180; Carlsbad Caverns National Park is along the route from the city of Carlsbad to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Visitors to the Dog Canyon park entrance should be sure to fill up in Carlsbad (or Artesia), as the two-hour round trip between these towns and the park is somewhat fuel-intensive (due to alternating grades) and devoid of filling stations. Take care on the road to Dog Canyon and do not drive it in the dark -- New Mexico seems to think guardrails are for sissies.

Fees and permits
Entrances fees are valid for seven days, allowing unlimited re-entry for the week. Fees as of 2020 are:
 * $10 Entrance Fee
 * $35 Guadalupe Mountains National Park Annual Pass

Get around
Upon entering the park, most sightseeing must be done on feet or horseback. There are some roads in the desert which require four-wheel drive vehicles.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park has three main entrances, the main entrance at Pine Springs where the main ranger station, visitor center, and main camping grounds are all located, and the seldom used Dog Canyon entrance on the park's north side. Dog Canyon usually has a park ranger on duty, as well as a smaller camp ground. The McKittrick Canyon visitor center is the best place to enter, you guessed it, McKittrick Canyon.

See
If you don't have time or inclination to go hiking, impressive views of the Guads, particularly El Capitan, are available from US 62/180 along the southern boundary of the park. El Cap is attractive from several turnouts on the highway west of the main park entrance.

Tour operators and outfitters
For Guadalupe Mountains novices or anyone who doesn't want to deal with the hassle, try going with a local tour operator. They have years of experience and not only love their jobs, but also the park. They can show you places and give you factual tidbits that only locals would know. For tours, it's good to inquire ahead as far in advance as possible, especially about what supplies they provide (safety equipment and meals are a definite) but also what you should bring along.

In addition, the park provides many ranger-led programs for free, which can include a variety of activities and topics. Inquire about scheduled programs at the visitor center.

Buy
The nearest stores are located in Whites City, NM, 35 miles north of the park's main entrance. A few items of interest can be purchased in the Visitor Center.

Eat
No food is available in or around the park.

Drink
Water is available at the main campgrounds and the McKittrick Canyon trailhead.

Lodging
There is no lodging within the park. The nearest hotels and motels are in the tacky tourist town of Whites City, New Mexico, just outside the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, about 35 road miles away. The Best Western franchise there is tolerable. There are many more hotels in Carlsbad, New Mexico, which is about 15 miles from Whites City.

Camping
Guadalupe Mountains N.P. has two major campgrounds: Pine Springs, which is near the park's main entrance, and Dog Canyon, which is on the very remote north end of the park, accessible through New Mexico. The park also has ten primitive campsites in the backcountry, each containing 4-8 hardened tent pads. All overnight backpackers must register and stay in one of the primitive camps -- no off-trail camping is allowed. If you obtain a backcountry camping permit you are guaranteed a site, but sites are not assigned. In fact, campsites can be quite hard to get during the last week in October, when the maple leaves are turning and bathing McKittrick Canyon and other areas in red. In the summer or winter, however, backpackers willing to travel to the more remote primitive campsites, such as Mescalero (which is best accessed from the Dog Canyon entrance), are likely to be the only human beings for miles.

Backcountry
The majority of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a designated wilderness area. Approximately eighty miles of trails provide access to this land for hikers and horsebackriders. Horses are not permitted to be kept in the backcountry overnight. Backpackers may camp in the backcountry in a number of designated campsites which must be reserved at the rangers stations. There is no water in the backcountry, so hikers must be prepared to carry one gallon per person per day. Trails entering the backcountry originate at Pine Springs, Dog Canyon. The climb into the mountains on any of these trails tends to be very strenuous.

Stay safe
Be sure to carry plenty of water during the summer. Many of the trails tend to be very steep and poorly kept, so wear sturdy hiking boots. In addition, since the climate in the park can vary significantly based on altitude, visitors should dress in layers so that they are able to adapt to the changes in temperature.

Go next

 * Carlsbad Caverns National Park is about 40 miles away, across the New Mexico state line, and has mountainous desert terrain, in addition to its famous caves.
 * If you're going to Dog Canyon, be sure to stop on the way to visit Sitting Bull Falls in Lincoln National Forest, one of the area's largest and most beautiful waterfalls. Sitting Bull Falls is flowing most of the year.  There is a small New Mexico state park with picnic sites.

title: Guadalupe Mountains National Park


text:
Guadeloupe

 * Not to be confused with Guadalupe Island west of Mexico.

Guadeloupe, known as Gwadloup in the local creole, and sometimes known as the Butterfly Island (French: l'île Papillon) on account of the shape of two of its major islands, is a group of islands in the eastern Caribbean, and is a French overseas department, southeast of Puerto Rico.

Guadeloupe is the largest of the four departments and collectivities that make up the French Antilles.

Islands

 * : green and lush vegetation, mountainous with a sulphuric volcano.
 * : flat and dry with a lot of beaches, some of them very touristy.
 * : boats make the one-hour crossing from Pointe-à-Pitre to this land that is home to more than 10,000 people, and hiking trails that connect its many restored windmills, colonial dwellings, and old sugar refineries.
 * : composed of Terre de Haut and Terre de Bas, one of the most beautiful bays.
 * : there are boats and planes from Grande-Terre to this dry and cliffy island that is home to about 1,600 people
 * : uninhabited and untamed. Shuttle boats leave from Saint-François.

Other destinations
Don't miss the spectacular waterfalls in the jungle of Basse-Terre (Carbet Falls) within Guadeloupe National Park. Some are within 5–10 minutes walking distance from the nearest carpark, some require at least 3–4 hours of hiking (those are, of course less frequented by other tourists and you might find yourself alone at a spectacular waterfall in the middle of nowhere, an amazing experience).

The local rum distilleries offer tours (check for opening times as they may vary from season to season) which are certainly worth the while since rum production is an integral part of Guadeloupe's economy. And sampling the local rums is definitely worth the while.

Even though they might not be the best way to get around the island, a ride on the bus is an experience you should not miss. Cheap, full of locals, conducted by fearless drivers, you can enjoy the beautiful Caribbean panorama to the sound of Guadeloupean zouk music. Some routes are not good for passengers with weak stomachs.

Understand
Guadeloupe has been a French possession since 1635 except for the years 1813-1814 when it came into Swedish possession as a consequence of the Napoleonic Wars.

Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands, including Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desirade, Iles des Saintes (2), Saint-Barthélemy, Iles de la Petite Terre, and Saint-Martin (French part of the island of Saint Martin).

Climate
Subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity.

Terrain
Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin.

Tourist information

 * Guadeloupe Tourism website

Talk

 * See also: French phrasebook

French is the official language, although Guadeloupean Créole (very different from French) is the native language. Everyone speaks French but few people understand English. Most people working in the tourism industry will speak English and sometimes Spanish or German.

Passports and visas
Being an integrated part of France, Guadeloupe is considered as European as Paris politically, so European Union immigration rules apply.

From the Caribbean

 * Air Antilles connects Guadeloupe with Dominica–Canefield, Dominica–Douglas-Charles, Fort-de-France, Saint Barthélemy, St. Maarten (SXM), St. Martin (SFG), San Juan, Santo Domingo–La Isabela, Santo Domingo–Las Américas
 * Air Caraïbes connects Guadeloupe with Fort-de-France, St. Maarten (SXM), St. Martin (SFG), Santo Domingo–Las Américas.
 * Air France connects Guadeloupe with Cayenne, Fort-de-France, Port-au-Prince
 * Servicios Aéreos Profesionales connects Guadeloupe with Punta Cana.
 * Winair connects Guadeloupe with Dominica–Douglas-Charles

From North America

 * Air Canada connects Guadeloupe with Montreal.
 * Air France connects Guadeloupe with Miami and Montreal.
 * American Airlines connects Guadeloupe with Miami.
 * JetBlue has direct flights from New York-JFK.

From South America

 * Air France connects Guadeloupe with Cayenne (Codeshares with Air Antilles Express).

From Europe

 * Air Caraïbes connects Guadeloupe with Paris-Orly
 * Air France connects Guadeloupe with Paris-Orly and Paris-Charles de Gaulle during the peak season.
 * Corsair International connects Guadeloupe with Paris-Orly
 * Level connects Guadeloupe with Paris-Orly

For more information, you can have a look at Guadeloupe Airport website.

From Guadeloupe, to travel in the surrounding places, here is an idea of the prices (roundtrip): Trinidad ~€250, Barbade ~€260, Puerto Rico ~€300, Dominican Republic ~€350, Cuba ~€550

You can obtain information at Agence Penchard, 1 bis rue de la République 97100 Basse-Terre, Tel 0590 812 712 Fax 0590 810 711

By car
From some neighbouring islands, you can travel with your car on ferry companies (See section by boat).

 * Rentacar - One of the largest agencies of car rental in Guadeloupe, agency at the airport and English speaking counter agents. All types of passenger vehicles and several types of contracts possible.
 * Quickly - Agency at the airport of Pole Caraibes, presents 14 years on the islands of Guadeloupe. All types of vehicles.
 * Locacar - Car rental implemented on Grande-Terre, near to the hotels. Shuttle from airport services.

By boat

 * From Martinique, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Marie Galante, and Les Saintes: Express des Iles, Brudey Frères, and Star Ferries.
 * Windward Islands - Windward Islands, one of the worlds largest yacht charter companies, can take care of all charter requirements, from bare boat to crewed in Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St Martin. Operating from its international offices (USA, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Caribbean, Hong Kong, and Dubai).
 * Canadian Sailing Expeditions - Tall Ship Caledonia - Travelers can embark at Pointe-a-Pitre and sail on to various locations such as Deschaies.

By car
Cars can be hired at the airport in Pointe-à-Pitre. The main roads are of the same quality as metropolitan France, but smaller roads are often uneven, pot-holed and frankly dangerous. Prudence is required! Drivers are often undisciplined, but rarely aggressive.

By bus
There is a public bus system. You can find the routes and timings on Karulis. Most routes start from Pointe-à-Pitre and connect with the main locations, such as the Airport. Services are limited on weekends.

By taxi
You will find plenty of taxis. But this is definitely the most expensive way of getting around. Fares are 40% higher from 21:00 to 07:00, as well as all day on Sunday and holidays. It's possible, but expensive (about ~€200/7 hours), to sight see by taxi. You could ask your hotel for help to make the arrangements.

See

Natural beauty is perhaps Guadeloupe's main attraction, and tourists flock to its sandy beaches, azure waters and vast forests. The southern coast of Grande-Terre is the main resort area, where you'll find developed, beautiful beaches and calm waters. It's a good place to kick back and enjoy a cocktail in one of the beach bars or join the many French women bathing in the Caribbean sun. Or, head for one of the many diving schools and explore underwater wildlife. For a fun day trip, hop on a ferry service around the scenic eight islands cluster of Les Saintes, skirting Guadeloupe's southern coast. The gorgeous and rustic island of Marie-Galante makes another perfect trip for a day or even two, as it has lovely scenery, great sands, 19th-century windmills and sugar cane plantations to see.

In contrast to the rolling hills and flat plains landscape of Grande-Terre, Basse-Terre (the western wing of the island) has a rough volcanic relief. Here you'll find the splendid Parc national de la Guadeloupe, a 74,100-acre protected rainforest with plenty of trails for expert and novice hikers. The park is home to the 1467-m-high peak of the La Soufrière volcano}, the highest mountain peak in the Lesser Antilles. On its lower slopes are the grand Carbet Falls, a series of 3 waterfalls on the Carbet River and one of Guadeloupe's main attractions. For wildlife lovers, the Zoological and Botanical Park of Guadeloupe offers a great insight in tropical flora and fauna and its animal collection included rare and endangered species.

Basse-Terre city, the administrative capital of Guadeloupe, is home to a range of colonial buildings. Furthermore, there are the 19th century Cathedral of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, the main square and adjoining Jardin Pichon. In Pointe-à-Pitre, there are museums, a bustling creole market place, an aquarium, and the impressive colonial fort to explore. The Mémorial ACTe is a museum tells the history of slavery and the slave trade from ancient times to modern-day.

Guadeloupe is the filming location for the Franco-British TV series Death in Paradise, with the island doubling as fictional British Overseas Territory "Saint-Marie". The real village of Deshaies doubles for "Honoré", where the characters' police force is based.

Do
Scuba diving and snorkelling. There is an amazing assortment of tropical fish, even in water less than one metre deep. For those who can't swim, glass bottomed boat trips are on offer.

There are many festivals to attend to in Guadeloupe. In Guadeloupe they call them "parties on the street". They use colourful ribbons and tie them round their wrists to resemble the colours of all the nations. Their parties last all through the night until the early morning. They sometimes call them "swatson".

At the Distillerie Damoiseau on Grande-Terre, you can find out how rum is made, and enjoy a tasting session.

The Zoo de Guadeloupe in Basse-Terre has about 85 species of animals in this popular garden and nature reserve. Hiking trails and hanging bridges will give you the feel that you are in the jungle.

Money
Like the rest of France, the official currency is the euro ("€", ISO currency code: EUR). It is divided into 100 cents.

Shopping

 * Characteristic of the Antilles is the colourful tiled Madras fabric.
 * The local made rum is also distinctive and very cheap to buy. Certainly worth sampling (during an evening at one of the beautiful beaches or at home when showing holiday pictures to friends and family to warm everyone up to Caribbean temperature)

Restaurants
Most restaurants in Guadeloupe offer local Creole cuisine. These restaurants are often found on or in close proximity to a beach, on a shore or in a marina, and on a national highway.

There are also a few restaurants with fine French cuisine.

International cuisine and fast food are also represented in Guadeloupe.

Local specialties
Not to be missed, the plate Colombo (chicken, rice, curry), imported from India, has become the typical regional plate. The expected cost for a restaurant meal is from €5-40.
 * Boudin créole (or Boudin for short). A black pudding spicy with Creole ingredients.
 * Féroce d'avocat. A variation of guacamole. You never know how hot the seasoning will be until you taste it.
 * Bananas. The "dessert banana" tastes pure or flambéed with rum and is the ideal ingredient for countless recipes, whether as jam, cake, tart, ice cream, fruit salad, punch or smoothie. A staple of Antillean cuisine, the plantain can be fried, grilled, boiled or made into chips.
 * Accras. The very popular Accras are small fritters traditionally made with cod. But some also contain other fish or shrimp or vegetables. According to tradition, donuts with vegetables are prepared on Good Friday. Every August, on the Saturday closest to Saint Lawrence Day, there is a parade in which Guadeloupe chefs dress in traditional costumes and parade through the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre, showing the Accras and other Creole dishes to try.
 * Sorbet coco. Prepared by beach vendors in traditional wooden sorbet vats, this refreshing treat is an ideal snack after a swim in the sea or after a little siesta on the beach.
 * Rhum agricole. The agriculturally produced rum made from sugar cane juice. The number of distilleries in Guadeloupe has drastically decreased over time and less is produced as a result. However, Guadeloupe still has nine very famous distilleries.
 * Ti Punch (Rhum, Lime, Cane Sugar). Traditionally served in many venues by placing a glass, a slice of lime, cane sugar and a whole bottle of rhum on the table for the guest to mix their own ti punch. Be careful with the dosage: the rum has at least 50% by volume. A local saying goes: "Tue-toi toi-même!" ("Kill yourself!")
 * Planteur. Rum with fruit juices.
 * Rhum au coco. Rum with coconut water.
 * Gratin de christophine (or Cristophine for short). The chayote, called "Christophine" in Guadeloupe, is a large green or white berry in the shape of a pear, with a taste reminiscent of zucchini or potatoes. It is a fruit of the gourd family and has health-promoting properties.
 * Colombo. Colombo, a blend of spices, is an indispensable ingredient in Guadeloupe's cuisine. Traditionally, it consists of turmeric, coriander seeds, cumin, fenugreek, mustard seeds and black pepper. Milder than curry, this flavourful concoction is a wonderful addition to vegetables, as well as chicken, shrimp, pork, swordfish and crayfish dishes. By the way, the famous and delicious Colombo with chicken is one of the most iconic dishes in Guadeloupe. Every year at the end of July, the municipality of Saint-François participates in the Colombo festival.
 * Chicken boucané. The famous smoked chicken, popular for its spicy and succulent taste, is made with meat that has been previously marinated in onions, garlic, spring onions, chilli, lemon juice, thyme, oil, salt and pepper and then grilled very slowly cooked over a mild, moist heat and without a flame.
 * Sauce chien. This seasoning sauce traditionally consists of scallions, onion, garlic, parsley, chilli, lemon juice, oil, warm water, salt and pepper. It is served with grilled chicken, meat and fish.
 * Jams. Contrary to what one might think, Creole jams are not made to be stored, but are served with dessert and it is not uncommon to find them in a local cake. Some of the most popular jams include those made with banana, coconut, guava, mango, pineapple, and papaya.
 * Blanc-manger coco. To make this dessert, in addition to coconut milk, you need sweet condensed milk, gelatin leaves, vanilla, cinnamon, and grated lime zest.
 * Fricassee de ouassous. A large freshwater shrimp very popular in Guadeloupe, the Ouassou can be prepared in a number of ways: grilled, flambéed with rum, or fricassee to be served as a main course. In a beautiful green setting, the Pointe-Noire Aquaculture Park offers guided tours of the shrimp tanks.
 * Blaff de poisson (or Blaff for short). Traditionally, this stew is prepared with snapper, tuna or mackerel. This stew's name comes from the sound the fish makes when it falls into the pot of boiling hot water. Sometimes this dish is offered as court bouillon. It then contains a little less fish

Drink
The local drink is white rum. Do try the "'Ti Punch" (petit punch/small punch) made with rum, lime, and sugar cane/brown sugar. Packs a wallop, so be prepared to melt into the island way of life.

Work
For European people coming from an EU country, working in Guadeloupe is allowed without problem. If you're from outside the EU, you will probably need a work permit - check with the French Embassy in your country. Do not forget, though. that the unemployment rate is around 28%. But if you work in the health sector (doctor, nurse), it will be much easier. Otherwise, you could find a job in bars, restaurants, and/or nightclubs.It's best to have a precise idea of what you want to do, inform yourself, and prospect before going there.

Stay safe
The main tourist areas (city centre of Point-à-Pitre, Le Gosier, St. Anne, St. Felix...) are pretty safe, especially by day. When it gets dark, you should avoid walking around in Point-à-Pitre alone and stay on the main roads and plazas and be aware of smaller side streets. Always try to keep a low profile as a tourist to avoid attracting unwanted attention.

Stay healthy
There are no particular diseases to worry about, but you should protect yourself from the sun. Sanitary and medical facilities in Guadeloupe are good. Health care in Guadeloupe is controlled by a state-owned organisation (Sécurité Sociale). Doctors are available in almost every village. Tap water is usually safe for consumption. Public sources of water are unsafe if labeled with "Eau non potable" (no drinking water). Visitors from European Union should bring their European Health Insurance Card with them. Ask details at your local health care organisation.

Emergency phone numbers

 * emergency services: 112 (which can be called from any mobile phone, even if not connected to a GSM network);
 * fire brigade: 18;
 * police station: 17;
 * specialised emergency medical service (called SAMU): 15.

Respect
While it is a part of France, the country does not have a very Europeanised way of life; life in the Caribbean has a much slower pace. Buses run very infrequently, taxis are hard to find, smaller stores open or close not always on time, queuing in stores is sometimes very time consuming. Try to get into the local pace and do not complain about minor annoyances, as Guadeloupeans will see that as an offence to their way of life. And they are proud of the distinction between Caribbean and metropolitan (French) lifestyle.

Phones
Country code: 590

Dialing within Guadeloupe: all numbers have 10 digits. Landlines begin by 0590 and mobile phones by 0690.

Dialing to Guadeloupe: international prefix + 590 + phone number without the first 0 (this leads to dial twice 590 which is normal). If you dial from France, just use the 10 digits number.

Dialing from Guadeloupe: the international prefix is 00.

Calling to a mobile phone is more expensive than to a landline. Number beginning by 0800 are free phone. Number beginning by 089 are premium-rate.

Few foreign mobile phone companies offer international roaming to Guadeloupe so double-check before leaving. Your company should provide specific roaming to Guadeloupe since it has deferent mobile phone companies than in mainland France.

Alternatively, you should be able to get a Pay-as-you-go SIM card from various locations. There is one company offering wireless services: Orange Caraïbe.

Post
Post offices are found in all cities. Letter boxes are colored in yellow.

Rates
Less than 20 g (postcard, letter with one or two pages in a regular envelope) :
 * France (including Oversea Territories DOM-TOM): €0.53
 * area 2 (rest of the world) : €0.90

The basic stamp for regular mail is red with the head of "Marianne" (the Republic logo). It does not carry its value and can therefore be used even after a price increase. It is sold in all Post Offices, Bureaux de Tabacs (Tobacco sellers identified by a red lozenge) and postcard vendors. The latter may also carry other common stamps.

In most Post Offices you will find an automatic machine (yellow) with a scale and a screen. Just put your mail on the scale, tell the machine (French or English) the destination, pay the indicated amount and the machine will deliver a printed stamp.

title: Guadeloupe


text:
Guajará-Mirim

Guajará-Mirim (pop. 29.000, 2004) is in the western part of the state of Rondônia in Brazil. It is separated from Bolivia by the Mamoré River.

It is the southern terminus of former railroad Estrada de Ferro Madeira-Mamoré.

Get in
Buses go to Porto Velho, 5-7 hours away (333 km to the north).

Small boats take you on the five minute trip across the river into the Bolivian border town of Guayaramerín.

Get around
The town is small enough to reach most places by foot.

Go next

 * Guaporé Nature Reserve
 * The 18th-century fort of Príncipe da Beira is three days by boat from Guajará-Mirim. It can also be reached by road. Take BR-364 to AM-429, which goes to the town of Costa Marques.

title: Guajará-Mirim


text:
Gualala

Gualala is a city in the North Coast region of California, population 1,900.

Understand
Gualala (formerly, Guadala, Walhalla, and Wallala) is an unincorporated community in Mendocino County in the U.S. state of California. It is located on the Pacific coast at the mouth of the Gualala River, on State Route 1. It serves as a commercial center for the surrounding area. Gualala was once a logging town, but tourism is now its central economic activity.

Get in
Follow US 101 North to Petaluma, then take scenic Highway 1.

title: Gualala