A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Basse-Terre vs. Bar Harbor for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Basse-Terre or Bar Harbor?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Bar Harbor? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Basse-Terre or Bar Harbor?

Basse-Terre

In Guadeloupe there is Basse Terre the city and Basse-Terre the island - the city is the capital of Guadeloupe, and the island is Guadeloupe's western half of the main island. As a whole, the place is very green, featuring lush vegetation and a mountainous landscape with a sulfuric volcano.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a seafront town located on Mount Desert Island just off the coast of Maine. The Wabanaki Indians who seasonally fished, hunted and gathered berries, clams, and other shellfish in the area, called it the ‘clam-gathering' or ‘clambake' place. Eventually the area was settled by Europeans who established industries in fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding, and agriculture. Its maritime scenery even attracted artists of the Hudson River School like Thomas Cole, and the area soon became a seasonal resort for the affluent, comparable to that of Newport, Rhode Island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Basse-Terre and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is Basse-Terre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Basse-Terre is in Caribbean Islands and Bar Harbor is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Basse-Terre would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Basse-Terre and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bar Harbor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bar Harbor than you might in Basse-Terre.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Basse-Terre Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Basse-Terre or Bar Harbor?

Basse-Terre has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Basse-Terre and Bar Harbor, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Basse-Terre or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Basse-Terre experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor and Basse-Terre are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Basse-Terre throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Basse-Terre is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in Basse-Terre averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Basse-Terre. In July, Basse-Terre usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Basse-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Basse-Terre during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Basse-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Basse-Terre is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basse-Terre in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. Basse-Terre usually gets more rain in October than Bar Harbor. Basse-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Basse-Terre and Bar Harbor. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Basse-Terre year-round. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bar Harbor in the winter. In January, Basse-Terre is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Basse-Terre average around 24°C (76°F), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Basse-Terre usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Basse-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Basse-Terre as well as Bar Harbor. Basse-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Basse-Terre is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in Basse-Terre averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Basse-Terre receives a lot of rain in the spring. Basse-Terre usually gets more rain in April than Bar Harbor. Basse-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Basse-Terre