Basse-Terre Weather in January

January weather

January feels warm and humid, with daytime highs around 27°C and little change after dark. Showers visit on about 13 days, but there's still plenty of sunshine. It's a good month for swimming around Malendure or exploring Basse-Terre town between showers.

The rain can make forest paths slippery, so don't treat a hike up La Soufrière as an easy stroll. Check local conditions before setting out, and leave room to change plans. December is wetter; February is drier.

Carnival starts

January brings the start of Guadeloupe's Carnival season, with groups practising and parades building towards the main celebrations before Lent. You may catch music and dancing in Basse-Terre or Pointe-à-Pitre, though the biggest events often come later. New Year's Day is a public holiday, so some shops and services may close.

If you hate crowds, avoid the busiest parade spots and enjoy the island's quieter beaches instead.

Crowds and local tips

January is part of the popular dry-season stretch, so expect more visitors and firmer accommodation prices than in wetter months. It's still a comfortable time for sightseeing, but New Year can bring extra demand.

For La Soufrière, take the route from Bains Jaunes, the hot-spring area near the trailhead. Rain and cloud can hide the summit, even when the coast looks sunny, so ask locally about trail conditions before you go. Afterward, a bowl of court-bouillon de poisson, a local fish stew, makes a warming stop in Basse-Terre town.