Located on the south-east coast of the island of Basse-Terre, between Goyave and Trois-Rivières, Capesterre-Belle-Eau owes its name to the word "capesterre", meaning the coast exposed to trade winds. The addition of "Belle-Eau" ("beautiful water") comes from the many rivers running across the municipality. Renowned for being one of the most important banana-growing sites in Guadeloupe, it is only natural that fans of this famous fruit should treat themselves to a tour of the Grand Café plantation which, contrary to what its name might imply, is not a coffee plantation but a substantial banana plantation!
To the north of the municipality is the charming little village of Sainte-Marie, where a column stands displaying a bust of Christopher Columbus. The village is famous for being the place in Guadeloupe where the celebrated navigator landed in 1493. For a relaxing break, head for Roseau beach, south of Sainte-Marie. It is very lively at the weekend, and very pleasant with its grey sand; it features carbets (traditional huts) and numerous almond and coconut trees, their shade being appreciated by families stopping for a picnic. Not far from there is the Longueteau distillery, the oldest distillery in Guadeloupe still active today, where you can go round the plant and find out about the rum production process, not forgetting to have a little taste at the end of your visit, of course! Towards the centre of Capesterre is a religious site of importance to the Indian community: the Hindu Temple of Changy, embellished with many multi-coloured statues. While it is closed to visitors, you can nonetheless admire it from the roadside.
Before setting off to see the unmissable Carbet falls, tucked into the verdant heights of the municipality, don't forget to pop over to the famous Allée Dumanoir, which is lined with royal palm trees, and to make a stop at the magnificent Cantamerle garden, where a guided tour will enable you to see a great number of plant species.
