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

Should you visit Basse-Terre or San Juan del Sur?

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

Should I visit Basse-Terre or San Juan del 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 San Juan del 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.

San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur is a popular port destination on the Pacific coast of southwest Nicaragua. The town was once a quaint fishing village but has grown into a tourist town with activities for visitors that include surfing, fishing, and, of course, partying. The town has a population of just over 15,000, most of whom are either fishermen or involved in the tourism industry. There is also a large expat community from the United States, Canada, and Europe.

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 San Juan del Sur, we can see that Basse-Terre is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Basse-Terre is in Caribbean Islands and San Juan del Sur 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 San Juan del Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan del 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 San Juan del 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 San Juan del Sur Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Basse-Terre or San Juan del Sur?

Basse-Terre has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Basse-Terre and San Juan del Sur, 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 San Juan del Sur?

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 San Juan del Sur in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Basse-Terre and San Juan del Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Basse-Terre year-round. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the summer. Basse-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Basse-Terre usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan del Sur. Basse-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In Basse-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. Basse-Terre usually receives more sunshine than San Juan del Sur during summer. Basse-Terre gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 175 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, Basse-Terre is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Basse-Terre in July average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Basse-Terre or San Juan del Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Basse-Terre as well as San Juan del Sur. Basse-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in San Juan del Sur. Basse-Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Basse-Terre usually gets more rain in October than San Juan del Sur. Basse-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basse-Terre this time of the year. In the autumn, Basse-Terre often gets more sunshine than San Juan del Sur. Basse-Terre gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 195 hours of full sun.

In October, Basse-Terre is generally around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in Basse-Terre average around 27°C (80°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Basse-Terre or San Juan del Sur in the Winter?

Both San Juan del Sur and Basse-Terre are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Basse-Terre throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

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

It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. Basse-Terre usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur during winter. Basse-Terre gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 244 hours of full sun in the winter.

Basse-Terre is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the winter. The daily temperature in Basse-Terre averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Basse-Terre or San Juan del Sur in the Spring?

Both San Juan del Sur and Basse-Terre during the spring 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 San Juan del Sur year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. Basse-Terre usually gets more rain in April than San Juan del Sur. Basse-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In San Juan del Sur, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Basse-Terre. In the spring, Basse-Terre often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur. Basse-Terre gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 242 hours of full sun.

In the spring, Basse-Terre is cooler than San Juan del Sur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Basse-Terre in April average around 26°C (78°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and Basse-Terre