stbartshopper
Senior Insider
We realize these are a lot of questions. Friends and first time visitors have asked us some of these regarding the island and we do not know the answers. Would appreciate Forum help on these and anything else legal or local policies/customs/regulations that might be germane to us visitors and those locals that are interested.
We are guessing some of the answers are probably the same as French law but we do not know the French laws. We also know there are some regulations that differ from those of France such as the 5% Tourist Rental tax.
Without just putting a link or a copied document on the site, what are the laws/regulations and understood customs on the island that visitors and locals should be aware of; which of these are enforced/practiced and consequences?
For example is there a seatbelt law and what is it?
Is there a curfew and what is it? By age, type of establishment?
Do infants have to have car seats and if so age requirements and location in car such as back seat?
Is there a drinking age and what is it?
What are the ages for purchasing tobacco products, if any? In other words, if my grandson wanted to wander in and buy a Cuban cigar, god forbid, what happens?
What are rules, if any, regarding children in night clubs, bars etc?
On occasion, we smell those funny smokes on the beaches and occasionally in the nightlife locales- what are the rules on substances, if any?
Speed limits anywhere?
What are rules/laws on pets (dogs) accompanying anywhere inside or out such as supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, bakeries stores and so on?
Can any age drive a Seadoo or a boat if not what is the age?
What is the driving age?
Are random breathalyzers performed and if so what is the blood alcohol limit? For boats, cars?
We have seen police randomly stopping cars. What are they doing?
What happens if you are stopped and have had too much?
Is there such a thing as reckless driving and if so what is it? For boats? For cars? Motos?
Where if any are there no wake zones for boats such as in the Grande Cul De Sac and the Gustavia Harbor or is it just understood as common courtesy?
What are rules if any on bars/restaurants over serving?
Realizing it is Europe, not the US, what happens when there is an accident- what liability potential is there for personal injury?
I don't believe there is a court on the island but know there is a jail.
Is anybody ever placed in jail and for what? How do they get out? Who can one call for help locally?
Do court cases take place in Guadeloupe or where?
Besides real estate and business, what else do lawyers earning their living on the island practice in their occupations?
What beaches are off limits, if any, because they are private property, if any? May we go to sunbathe on any beach on the island assuming we have some type of access by water or land?
We have read that nude bathing is not allowed but it is overlooked in some locales like Saline and Gouverneur. Ares there laws/regulations regarding nudity and is it/are they ever enforced? What are the penalties if any?
Please list any other items germane to this thread and thank you in advance for your help on these subjects.
We are guessing some of the answers are probably the same as French law but we do not know the French laws. We also know there are some regulations that differ from those of France such as the 5% Tourist Rental tax.
Without just putting a link or a copied document on the site, what are the laws/regulations and understood customs on the island that visitors and locals should be aware of; which of these are enforced/practiced and consequences?
For example is there a seatbelt law and what is it?
Is there a curfew and what is it? By age, type of establishment?
Do infants have to have car seats and if so age requirements and location in car such as back seat?
Is there a drinking age and what is it?
What are the ages for purchasing tobacco products, if any? In other words, if my grandson wanted to wander in and buy a Cuban cigar, god forbid, what happens?
What are rules, if any, regarding children in night clubs, bars etc?
On occasion, we smell those funny smokes on the beaches and occasionally in the nightlife locales- what are the rules on substances, if any?
Speed limits anywhere?
What are rules/laws on pets (dogs) accompanying anywhere inside or out such as supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, bakeries stores and so on?
Can any age drive a Seadoo or a boat if not what is the age?
What is the driving age?
Are random breathalyzers performed and if so what is the blood alcohol limit? For boats, cars?
We have seen police randomly stopping cars. What are they doing?
What happens if you are stopped and have had too much?
Is there such a thing as reckless driving and if so what is it? For boats? For cars? Motos?
Where if any are there no wake zones for boats such as in the Grande Cul De Sac and the Gustavia Harbor or is it just understood as common courtesy?
What are rules if any on bars/restaurants over serving?
Realizing it is Europe, not the US, what happens when there is an accident- what liability potential is there for personal injury?
I don't believe there is a court on the island but know there is a jail.
Is anybody ever placed in jail and for what? How do they get out? Who can one call for help locally?
Do court cases take place in Guadeloupe or where?
Besides real estate and business, what else do lawyers earning their living on the island practice in their occupations?
What beaches are off limits, if any, because they are private property, if any? May we go to sunbathe on any beach on the island assuming we have some type of access by water or land?
We have read that nude bathing is not allowed but it is overlooked in some locales like Saline and Gouverneur. Ares there laws/regulations regarding nudity and is it/are they ever enforced? What are the penalties if any?
Please list any other items germane to this thread and thank you in advance for your help on these subjects.