A rental car is the most practical way to explore Grande-Terre. The island is small enough that most destinations are within an hour's drive of Pointe-à-Pitre, roads are generally good, and parking is available at beaches and attractions. Agencies operate from the airport and from Pointe-à-Pitre; booking ahead in high season is advisable.
Public buses (called "cars") serve the main routes between Pointe-à-Pitre and the south coast towns including Le Gosier, Sainte-Anne, and Saint-François. They run frequently during the day but service drops off sharply in the evening. The bus terminal in Pointe-à-Pitre is on the waterfront near the market. Fares are cheap but the schedules are not always clearly posted.
Taxis are plentiful at the airport and at the major tourist centres. They are metered but rates are controlled and clearly displayed. Negotiate a fare for longer journeys or for airport transfers booked in advance.
Cycling is possible on the flat terrain of Grande-Terre, and some visitors use bikes to get between the south coast beach towns. Rental shops operate in Sainte-Anne and Saint-François. The main coastal road (RN4) carries fast-moving traffic, so back roads and the occasional designated path are more pleasant.
Pointe-à-Pitre itself is best navigated on foot in the centre. The streets are narrow, parking is difficult, and the market, Mémorial ACTe, and waterfront are all within comfortable walking distance of each other.