Top 5 best scooter rentals in Basse-Terre

Guadeloupe rewards anyone willing to cover ground under their own power. Ride out to Pointe des Châteaux at sunrise, when the light hits the cliffs and the cross at the tip glows over the Atlantic, or wind along the coast to Grande Anse in Deshaies for an afternoon on the sand under the palms. A scooter turns these into a single easy loop instead of two separate trips, and lets you slip down side roads toward Sainte-Anne that a rental car would struggle to park near.

Grande-Terre's roads are short, flat and built for exactly this kind of exploring — town centres like Saint-François and Sainte-Anne have limited parking, and the beaches and viewpoints sit close enough together that a car feels oversized while walking is simply too far. Basse-Terre is a different story: the climb toward La Soufrière and the Route de la Traversée through the rainforest are steeper and twistier, so take them at a relaxed pace, but they reward the effort with some of the best scenery on the island.

Top 10 things to see in Pointe-à-Pitre by scooter

1. Pointe des Châteaux — dramatic eastern headland with cliffs, a cross, and views toward La Désirade; the classic ride to the tip of Grande-Terre.
2. Plage de la Caravelle — calm, white-sand beach near Sainte-Anne, an easy ride from town.
3. Pointe de la Grande Vigie — the northernmost tip of Grande-Terre, with high limestone cliffs and open Atlantic views.
4. Porte d'Enfer — a narrow, dramatic inlet between cliffs near Anse-Bertrand, a great short detour on the north-coast loop.
5. Chutes du Carbet — Guadeloupe's famous waterfalls, reached via a scenic mountain road through the rainforest.
6. La Soufrière — the active volcano and highest point in the Lesser Antilles, with a signature ride up toward Savane à Mulets.
7. Route de la Traversée — the cross-island road through Parc National de la Guadeloupe, linking Basse-Terre's two coasts.
8. Plage de Grande Anse — a long, palm-fringed beach near Deshaies, a favourite scooter destination on the northwest coast.
9. Fort Napoléon — a hilltop fort on Terre-de-Haut with panoramic views over the Îles des Saintes bay, best reached with a scooter rented locally after the ferry crossing.
10. Plage de Bois Jolan — a quiet, family-friendly beach near Sainte-Anne, easy to pair with a coastal loop.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Pointe-à-Pitre?

For scooters up to 50cc you'll need an AM licence, or simply a full car licence, since anyone holding one — or born before 1 January 1988 — is entitled to ride. For 125cc models you'll need an A1 motorcycle licence, or a car licence held for at least two years plus a short compulsory training course. Rental companies here commonly set their own higher minimum age, so expect to be 18 or older in practice. A deposit is standard, usually held as a credit-card pre-authorisation and released on undamaged return — confirm the exact amount with your chosen operator. Visitors from outside the EU should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Pointe-à-Pitre?

Expect around 15-25 EUR per day in low season and 30-45 EUR per day in high season, with premium models running 40-60 EUR per day.

• Prices climb in December-January and again in July-August, when island-wide demand peaks.
• September-November tends to be the cheapest stretch, once the quieter part of hurricane season has passed and before winter visitors arrive.

When to book a rental scooter in Pointe-à-Pitre?

If you're travelling over Christmas, New Year or the French summer holidays in July-August, book well ahead — these are the busiest and priciest weeks, and the best machines go first. Aim for September through November instead if your dates are flexible; the weather is still warm, the island is quieter, and rates are noticeably lower.

Local traffic rules in Pointe-à-Pitre

Guadeloupe follows French law and drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for every rider and passenger on a scooter, and CE-approved gloves are a legal requirement too — worth packing even if it feels unusual for a Caribbean holiday. Dipped headlights stay on at all times. Speed limits are 50 km/h in town and 80 km/h on most two-way rural roads, dropping further on some stretches, so watch the signage as you head out toward the coast. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, tightening to effectively zero for riders still in their first three years of licence. If you want to rent a scooter in Pointe-à-Pitre, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!