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

Should you visit Christchurch or Basse-Terre?

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

Should I visit Christchurch or Basse-Terre? 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: Christchurch or Basse-Terre?

Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.

The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.

Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Basse-Terre?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Basse-Terre. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch and Basse-Terre, 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 Christchurch or Basse-Terre?

Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Basse-Terre in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Basse-Terre. The summer months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Basse-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Christchurch is generally much colder than Basse-Terrein July. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 18°C (64°F), and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basse-Terre this time of the year. In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than Basse-Terre during summer. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Basse-Terre receives 245 hours of full sun in the summer.

Basse-Terre receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Basse-Terrein July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Christchurch or Basse-Terre in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Basse-Terre. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Basse-Terre throughout the year.

Christchurch is much colder than Basse-Terre in the autumn. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. In the autumn, Christchurch often gets less sunshine than Basse-Terrein October. Christchurch gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basse-Terre receives 217 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Basse-Terre. Christchurch usually gets less rain in April than Basse-Terrein October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Basse-Terre in the Winter?

Both Basse-Terre and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Basse-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Christchurch is much colder than Basse-Terre. Typically, the winter temperatures in Christchurch in July average around 6°C (43°F), and Basse-Terre averages at about 24°C (76°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Basse-Terre. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than Basse-Terre during winter. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Basse-Terre receives 236 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Basse-Terrein January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Christchurch or Basse-Terre in the Spring?

Both Basse-Terre and Christchurch during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Basse-Terre year-round.

In October, Christchurch is generally much colder than Basse-Terrein April. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In Basse-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Christchurch. In the spring, Christchurch often gets less sunshine than Basse-Terrein April. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basse-Terre receives 240 hours of full sun.

Basse-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Christchurch usually gets less rain in October than Basse-Terrein April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Basse-Terre and Christchurch