Ravine Chaude

Ravine Chaude is a thermal bath complex at Lamentin in the hills of northern Basse-Terre, fed by springs that come out at around thirty degrees carrying dissolved minerals, and it has been used for bathing and treatment since the nineteenth century. The present facility has several pools of different temperatures set among gardens, along with treatment rooms. It is used mainly by Guadeloupeans rather than visitors. The springs rise on the Grande Riviere a Goyaves, the largest river on the island, and the water is drawn from several sources at slightly different temperatures before it reaches the pools.

What you actually see

• The thermal pools - basins of different temperatures fed by the springs.
• The garden setting - the grounds the pools are laid out in.
• The treatment rooms - the spa side of the complex.
• The local use - a facility used mainly by residents rather than tourists.

When to go

December to April is the driest. Weekends are busiest with local families. The complex closes one day a week.

Honest expectations

The facilities are functional rather than luxurious. It is busy with local families at weekends. Opening days should be checked before travelling.

Nearby

Lamentin is nearby, and Sainte-Rose is north.