At a glance

• Three nights of reggae, dancehall, zouk, kompa, soca and Afro-Caribbean fusion on an open-air seaside site in the Pointe-à-Pitre/Le Gosier area — under the trade winds and Caribbean stars
• Lineup announced closer to the dates; past editions and the festival’s DNA spotlight Jamaican headliners, Guadeloupe heavyweights, Haitian kompa bands, Martinican dancehall stars, and rising Afrobeat acts
• Multiple zones: a Main Stage for the anthems, a Sound System Yard where selectors and MCs ride riddims, and a Creole Village with food stalls, local artisans, and rum tastings
• Unique cultural moments: twilight gwoka drum ensembles, carnival-influenced dance flair, and sound system culture presented Caribbean-style
• Easy access from hotels in Le Gosier and downtown Pointe-à-Pitre; airport and marina are a short drive away

Key dates

• Wednesday, February 11, 2026 — Opening Night: Gates 17:00; live music 18:30–01:30; Sound System Yard from 22:00; VIP early entry at 16:30
• Thursday, February 12, 2026 — Roots & Dancehall Marathon: Daytime cultural moments and meetups 14:00–17:00; main concerts 18:30–01:30; special gwoka showcase at sunset
• Friday, February 13, 2026 — Grand Finale: Main stage 18:30–02:00; all-star collabs and closing salute after midnight; vendor village open from 17:00
• Pre-festival warm-ups (Tuesday evening, February 10, 2026): Partner venues around Marina Bas-du-Fort/Le Gosier often host welcome parties (TBA on official channels)
• VIP/Experiences: Fast-track entry from 16:30, dedicated lounge, premium viewing areas, and artist talks/pop-ups announced closer to the festival

How to get there

From Europe: The simplest route is Paris to Guadeloupe Pôle Caraïbes Airport (PTP). Direct flights run from Paris Orly with Air France, Air Caraïbes, and Corsair. Flight time averages 8.5–9 hours nonstop. From London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid, or Rome, connect via Paris; many itineraries require a transfer between Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY), so allow at least 3–4 hours between flights or book a single-ticket itinerary that stays at Orly.

Airlines and typical timings: Air France, Air Caraïbes, and Corsair operate daily or near-daily service from Paris Orly to PTP, with evening departures in Europe and same-day arrivals in Guadeloupe. From other European cities, expect total journey times of 11–15 hours depending on connection windows.

Arrival & transfers: Land at Guadeloupe Pôle Caraïbes (PTP), about 10–20 minutes by car from Pointe-à-Pitre and Le Gosier. Taxis line up outside arrivals; expect roughly €20–€35 to Le Gosier and €15–€25 to central Pointe-à-Pitre (evening surcharges may apply). Car hire desks (major international brands and local agencies) operate at the airport and are popular for festival-goers who want beach-and-gig flexibility. The local Karulis bus network links the airport area with Pointe-à-Pitre and Le Gosier by day; late-night services are limited.

Regional access: Travelers already in the Caribbean can connect to PTP from Martinique (FDF), St. Martin/Sint Maarten (SFG/SXM), or Cayenne via regional carriers; ferry links also operate to Dominica and Martinique from Pointe-à-Pitre. Check schedules if building a multi-island trip around the festival.

Where to stay

Stay close to the music: Base yourself in Le Gosier or Pointe-à-Pitre for the fastest festival commutes and a lively food-and-nightlife scene between sets.

Seafront resorts (Le Gosier): La Créole Beach Hotel & Spa and the neighboring Mahogany Hotel Residence & Spa are perennial favorites with easy beach access, pools to cool off before showtime, and quick taxi rides to the festival area. Arawak Beach Resort and Canella Beach offer similar comfort with balconies and breezy views — ideal for a slow breakfast before night two.

Midrange & boutique: Karaibes Hotel (Le Gosier) is a budget-friendly base near restaurants; in Pointe-à-Pitre, Hôtel Saint John Perse puts you steps from the market and waterfront. Guesthouses and apart’hotels across Le Gosier and Bas-du-Fort marina offer kitchenettes and good value for groups.

On a budget: Look for studios and chambres d’hôtes on reputable platforms in Le Gosier, Le Raizet, or Baie-Mahault. Book early — February is high season.

Camping: There is no official festival camping. If you crave that outdoor vibe, choose a beachfront hotel or apartment and treat the sea as your morning reset.

Getting from your stay to the festival: Taxis and rides pre-booked through your hotel are reliable at night. If you rent a car, designate a sober driver and arrive early for parking. Some editions run hotel shuttles from Le Gosier/Pointe-à-Pitre — watch official channels for details.

Festival experience

Karukera One Love feels like a giant open-air sound system hugging the shoreline. You’ll step onto the site to the smell of sizzling bokit and accras, a low rumble from the bass bins, and that instant sense of Caribbean camaraderie — strangers become crew by the second chorus. The Main Stage delivers the anthems and singalongs; the Sound System Yard is where selectors flip dubplates, MCs toast, and dancers trade moves in the golden hour breeze. Between sets, the Creole Village keeps you fueled with local plates and rum agricole tastings while artisans sell hand-printed tees and jewelry.

Tickets: Sales typically open months ahead with limited early-bird passes, then regular tiers for single-day and 3-day access. VIP packages usually include fast-track entry, premium viewing, lounge access, and dedicated bars. Buy via the official site and announced ticketing partners (commonly regional platforms such as Bizouk) — prices rise as tiers sell out, so lock yours early.

Planning your nights: Music tends to run from early evening to after midnight. Arrive near gate time if you want easy merch, first dibs on the food stalls, and a rail spot at the Main Stage. If you live for selectors and clashes, plan a detour through the Sound System Yard after 22:00 when the pressure really builds. Check the daily schedule on the app/site the week of the festival — Caribbean festivals love surprise guests and late-breaking collabs.

VIP vs. General Admission: GA gets you into every stage and the Creole Village; if you want breathing room and shorter bar lines during peak sets, VIP’s elevated viewing and lounge are worth it. Either way, the sound is big and the vibe is communal.

First-timer tips: Eat before the headliner — lines swell around 21:00. Bring a reusable water bottle and refill often; the trade winds feel cool, but you’ll sweat while dancing. Wear supportive shoes for standing on grass or hardpack, and carry a light rain poncho for passing showers. Cashless payments are increasingly common, but it’s smart to keep some Euros for smaller vendors.

Food & drink: Go local: bokit (stuffed fried-bread sandwiches), colombo chicken, grilled lobster, accras de morue, and sorbet coco churned by hand. Bar menus showcase rhum agricole from distilleries like Damoiseau and Bologne — pace yourself and sip plenty of water between ti’ punch and planteur.

What to bring: Photo ID matching your ticket, festival-ready bag, portable battery, sunscreen (reef-safe), hat, sunglasses, earplugs for the Sound System Yard, light jacket for breezy nights, and a small towel — you’re in the tropics, and the music won’t let you stand still.

Budget

Book flights 2–4 months ahead for the best nonstops from Paris; flexible dates can trim €100–€250. If you’re outside France, price out separate legs to Paris plus a Paris–PTP ticket, but be mindful of cross-airport transfers between CDG and Orly.

Share a rental car with friends to split costs and unlock beaches, rum distilleries, and waterfalls by day. If you plan to taxi, cluster your hotel, meals, and late-night hangouts in Le Gosier or the marina area to keep fares down.

Early-bird passes sell out fast. Grab your 3-day pass first, then layer in accommodation — beachfront rooms go early for February. Bring a reusable bottle and snack between sets to avoid impulse spending during peak lines.

Guadeloupe uses the Euro and contactless payment is common. ATMs are available in Le Gosier and Pointe-à-Pitre; smaller food stalls may prefer cash. Keep a small stash for taxis after midnight.

Getting around & connectivity

On foot and by taxi: Within Le Gosier and Marina Bas-du-Fort, walking is pleasant before dusk; for festival nights, pre-book taxis via your hotel or a trusted dispatcher. Ridesharing apps like Uber do not operate here.

Public buses: The Karulis network connects Pointe-à-Pitre with Le Gosier and surrounding districts, but evening and Sunday schedules are limited. Use buses for daytime errands and beaches; switch to taxis/car at night.

Driving & parking: Renting a car gives you freedom for daytime excursions and late returns. Arrive early for festival parking and follow marshals’ guidance. Designate a sober driver — police checks are routine.

Shuttles: Some editions run hotel shuttles from Le Gosier/Pointe-à-Pitre. Watch the festival’s website and social feeds the month prior for route maps and hours.

Climate & packing

Weather: February sits in Guadeloupe’s dry season — warm days around 26–29°C, nights 22–24°C, with steady trade winds and only brief passing showers. Humidity is moderate compared to summer, but you’ll still feel it when dancing near the stacks.

What to pack for the vibe: Breathable clothes, supportive sneakers or cushioned sandals (you’ll stand for hours on grass/hardpack), a light rain poncho, and a thin layer for breezy nights. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and insect repellent for coastal evenings. A compact towel, portable battery, and reusable water bottle are festival gold.

Local pickups: Forgot something? Pharmacies and supermarkets in Le Gosier and Pointe-à-Pitre stock essentials; beach kiosks sell hats and shades. If you want a wearable souvenir, the vendor village has original tees and artisan jewelry.

Sample plan

1. Tuesday (February 10) — Arrival & Warm-Up: Touch down at PTP, check into Le Gosier. Stroll the marina for bokit and a planteur, then slip into a partner-hosted pre-party (TBA) to meet the island’s music crowd before the big kick-off.
2. Wednesday (February 11) — Opening Night: Beach dip by noon, nap, then hit the grounds by 17:30 to scope the Creole Village. Local openers light the fuse before the first headliner lands around 21:00. Post-set, drift to the Sound System Yard — selectors turn dusk into a dancing breeze.
3. Thursday (February 12) — Roots to Dancehall: Morning rum tour at Damoiseau or Bologne, lunch on accras, and back for sunset gwoka. Expect reggae royalty, dancehall heat after 22:00, and a late after-party near Marina Bas-du-Fort if your legs still have spring.
4. Friday (February 13) — Grand Finale: Chase waterfalls at Carbet or lounge at Plage de la Datcha, then suit up for the last push. The final run stacks anthems and surprise collabs, a roaring singalong around midnight, and a closing riddim that sends you into the night smiling.
5. Saturday — Recovery & Island Glow: Sleep in, snorkel around Îlet du Gosier, and cap it with a slow Creole lunch. If you’re flying late, swing by the Pointe-à-Pitre market for spices to bring the island home.

Official links & useful resources

• Karukera One Love — Official Website
• Karukera One Love on Instagram
• Karukera One Love on Facebook
• Bizouk — Caribbean Ticketing Platform
• Guadeloupe Islands — Official Tourism Board
• Guadeloupe Pôle Caraïbes Airport (PTP)
• Air Caraïbes — Flights to Guadeloupe
• Corsair — Flights to Guadeloupe
• Air France — Flights to Guadeloupe
• Karulis — Bus Network (Pointe-à-Pitre/Le Gosier)
• UNESCO — Gwoka Music & Cultural Practice
• Guadeloupe La 1ère — Local News & Culture