Located more than 1,150 feet (350 meters) above sea level, Vanibel is a family-run estate on the island of Guadeloupe dedicated to the production of coffee and vanilla. In addition to coffee plants and vanilla flowers, the estate boasts tropical gardens and the remains of early settlements, including an aqueduct and a mill.
Explore Vanibel as part of a guided tour and learn about the growth and manufacture of the estate’s coffee, vanilla, and bananas. Tours typically demonstrate the step-by-step process of taking coffee from bean to brew and include a coffee tasting. The estate also offers apartments and bungalows to rent, which allow you to enjoy the area at a more relaxed pace than you would on a tour—there’s also a swimming pool and barbecue area on site.
-
Coffee connoisseurs and nature lovers enjoy visiting Domaine de Vanibel.
-
There is a cafe on site.
-
Due to its elevated location and uneven walking paths, the estate is not accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.
Domaine de Vanibel is about a 20-minute drive from Basse-Terre, the capital of Guadeloupe island. Public transport options are limited.
Tours of the coffee and vanilla plantation take place once or twice a day, in the afternoon, depending on the season. The estate closes on Sundays and public holidays and remains shut for the entire month of September.
The city of Basse-Terre is a great place to experience the culture and history of Guadeloupe island. Popular sights include the Distillerie Bologne, where you can learn about the production of rum and sample different styles of the spirit; Fort Delgrès, a hilltop fortress that offer panoramic island views; and the covered Basse-Terre food market, where you can buy fruit and provisions alongside locals.