A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Basse-Terre vs. Isla de Ometepe for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Basse-Terre or Isla de Ometepe?

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

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Isla de Ometepe? 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 Isla de Ometepe?

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.

Isla de Ometepe

Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Basse-Terre and Isla de Ometepe, we can see that Basse-Terre is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Basse-Terre is in Caribbean Islands and Isla de Ometepe is in Central 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 Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe.

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 Isla de Ometepe Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Basse-Terre or Isla de Ometepe?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Isla de Ometepe in the Summer?

Both Isla de Ometepe 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. Plenty of visitors come to Isla de Ometepe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Isla de Ometepe. It's quite rainy in Basse-Terre. In July, Basse-Terre usually receives around the same amount of rain as Isla de Ometepe. Basse-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. Basse-Terre usually receives more sunshine than Isla de Ometepe during summer. Basse-Terre gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Isla de Ometepe receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.

Basse-Terre is around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe in the summer. The daily temperature in Basse-Terre averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Isla de Ometepe in the Autumn?

Both Isla de Ometepe 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round.

Isla de Ometepe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. Basse-Terre usually gets more rain in October than Isla de Ometepe. Basse-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Basse-Terre. In the autumn, Basse-Terre often gets more sunshine than Isla de Ometepe. Basse-Terre gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isla de Ometepe receives 195 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Basse-Terre is around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basse-Terre in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Isla de Ometepe averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Isla de Ometepe in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Basse-Terre and Isla de Ometepe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Basse-Terre year-round. Isla de Ometepe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Basse-Terre usually receives more rain than Isla de Ometepe. Basse-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Isla de Ometepe this time of the year. In Basse-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. Basse-Terre usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Isla de Ometepe during winter. Basse-Terre gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Isla de Ometepe receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basse-Terre is generally around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe. Daily temperatures in Basse-Terre average around 24°C (76°F), and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Isla de Ometepe in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Basse-Terre as well as Isla de Ometepe. Basse-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Isla de Ometepe throughout the year.

Basse-Terre receives a lot of rain in the spring. Basse-Terre usually gets more rain in April than Isla de Ometepe. Basse-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Isla de Ometepe. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basse-Terre this time of the year. In the spring, Basse-Terre often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Isla de Ometepe. Basse-Terre gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isla de Ometepe receives 242 hours of full sun.

Basse-Terre is cooler than Isla de Ometepe in the spring. The daily temperature in Basse-Terre averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Isla de Ometepe and Basse-Terre