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

Should you visit Basse-Terre or Santa Cruz?

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

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Santa Cruz? 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 Santa Cruz?

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.

Santa Cruz

On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

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 Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Basse-Terre or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Basse-Terre. When comparing the sizes of Basse-Terre and Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz 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, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

Basse-Terre is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Basse-Terre averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite rainy in Basse-Terre. In July, Basse-Terre usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Basse-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz 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. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Basse-Terre is much warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basse-Terre in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. Basse-Terre usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Basse-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Basse-Terre and Santa Cruz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Basse-Terre year-round. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Basse-Terre is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Basse-Terre average around 24°C (76°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In January, Basse-Terre usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Basse-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Basse-Terre as well as Santa Cruz. Basse-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.

Basse-Terre is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Basse-Terre averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Basse-Terre receives a lot of rain in the spring. Basse-Terre usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Basse-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Basse-Terre