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

Should you visit Basse-Terre or Big Sur?

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

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Big Sur? 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 Big Sur?

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.

Big Sur

Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.

However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.

While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Basse-Terre and Big Sur, we can see that Basse-Terre is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Basse-Terre is in Caribbean Islands and Big Sur 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 Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Basse-Terre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basse-Terre than you might in Big Sur.

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 Big Sur Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Basse-Terre or Big Sur?

Big Sur 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 Big Sur in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Basse-Terre as well as Big Sur. Basse-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Basse-Terre is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Basse-Terre average around 27°C (81°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Basse-Terre receives a lot of rain in the summer. Basse-Terre usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Basse-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Big Sur in the Autumn?

Both Big Sur and Basse-Terre are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Basse-Terre throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Basse-Terre is much warmer than Big Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in Basse-Terre averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Basse-Terre. In October, Basse-Terre usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Basse-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Big Sur in the Winter?

Both Big Sur and Basse-Terre during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Basse-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Basse-Terre is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basse-Terre in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Big Sur averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Basse-Terre usually gets more rain in January than Big Sur. Basse-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Big Sur in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Basse-Terre and Big Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Basse-Terre year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Basse-Terre is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Basse-Terre average around 26°C (78°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Basse-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Basse-Terre usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Basse-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Big Sur and Basse-Terre