First post dealt with restaurants. This one deals with travel and attractions on Basse Terre. You can get by without knowing French if you bring some phrasebooks, but you will have to speak French most of the time. In general, attractions do not have any signs, brochures, or maps in English or English-speaking guides. While many people speak a little English, they usually won't start in English. It helps if you try to use your phrasebook and speak in French first and then most will try to help you out. Only 1 person was rude to us. We found the Berlitz phrasebook to be more helpful than our DK Eyewitness one.

Getting to Guadeloupe: Unfortunately Delta canceled their direct flights between Atlanta and PTP. We had to fly back to Miami on Air France. They don't publicize it much, but you have to stop in Haiti for ~1 hour and despite their assurances that you can stay on the plane, you have to go to the airport during the layover. We happened to land while food riots were going on in the capital, but the airport was calm.

Car Rental: While Budget at the airport has English speaking people at the counter, customer service is awful. Both times we rode the shuttle, several people had to sit on the floor. It took 50 minutes to return my car so leave extra time. Nobody at the lot speaks English. Make sure you do your own inspection. While they noted lots of scratches they "overlooked" a big dent. There's a self-service gas station near the rental car lots, but it would not accept our Amex, Mastercard, or Visa even though it said it would and there are no other convenient nearby gas stations.

Lodging: See my separate review of Caraib'Bay Hotel.

Parc des Mammelles: OK zoo of local animals. Real highlight is the rainforest canopy walk. You climb in harnesses, attach cables to a lifeline, and walk along swinging walkways high in the trees. Can be a bit scary for those afraid of heights and kids. There is a fully enclosed walkway for young children.

Credit cards. Very little English on the signs.

Nautilus in Plage de Malendure: Glass bottom boat tour to Pigeon Island followed by snorkeling. Kids liked a lot. Person speaks English at main counter, but no one else does. Credit cards.

Zodiac boat tour (Bleu Blanc Vert) at Ste-Rose: Zodiac boat tour to mangrove island, down a mangrove filled river, exploring animals on the reef, snorkeling near barrier reef, drink rum on sandy island. This was our family's favorite thing we did. The lady at the booth speaks English and the main guide speaks a little. If you have not operated an outboard motor, try to get a 1-on-1 instruction from main guide in English. Be very careful about wakes from boats when you are at the mangrove island or the barnacles on roots can pop a hole in boat (happened to us first time we tried this). Lasts 4 hours. cash only.

Acomat: It's worth scrambling down the steep trail to this waterfall and deep swimming hole south of Pointe Noire. There are lots of rocks to climb and dive off. Our kids were thrilled when some locals showed up and starting sliding and diving off the nearby high cliffs.

Le Maison du Cafe: Don't bother visiting this historic coffee plantation if you don't speak French. because they won't even let you tag along on the tour and it's all in French. They just tell you to wander without a map. There's a nice river with boulders you can climb below the plantation. Wouldn't accept any of our credit cards.

Cascae aux Ecrevisses: Short hike to waterfall with swimming hole.

Maison de le Foret: Loop trail fair, but longer traverse trail had few views.

Grande Anse: Gorgeous, sandy beach near Deshaies with small crowds. Sunsets are very pretty. Older kids will enjoy jumping the waves, but the waves were usually too strong for younger kids to play in. No bathrooms or changing rooms (like most beaches on Basse Terre).

Les Chutes du Carbet (2nd): Pretty waterfall on very nice trail, but you can't cross the bridge anymore to see the base. There's an OK view at the end. The snack truck in the parking lot sells a tasty chicken sandwich.

Grand Etang: A little muddy, but the loop around the lake was a nice hike with bamboo, banyons, and other cool vegetation. Insects were surprisingly not an issue. There's a bird watching deck.

Le Jardin Botanique (S of Deshaies): This was a surprisingly good and large botanical garden considering Lonely Planet didn't even mention it. The kids loved the parrots, feeding the birds and koi, and seeing the exotic plants. I would not wear nice clothes because there's one spot where birds climb on your head, shoulders, and arms and sometimes go to the bathroom on you. The snack bar had good paninis and the restaurant looked nice overlooking the waterfall. Takes credit cards. All in French. Bring some 20 cent pieces to get food for animals.