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

Should you visit Riga or Basse-Terre?

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

Should I visit Riga 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: Riga or Basse-Terre?

Riga

Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Basse-Terre or Riga?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Basse-Terre is €151. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Riga and Basse-Terre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Riga 53
    Basse-Terre 90
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Riga 106
    Basse-Terre 180
Compare Hotels in Riga and Basse-Terre

Looking for a hotel in Riga or Basse-Terre? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Riga


Hotels in Basse-Terre


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Riga Hotel Prices and Basse-Terre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Riga 15
    Basse-Terre 8.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:

  • Private Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Cruise Port: $26
  • Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $27
  • Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
  • Riga Airport Transfer: $33
  • Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
  • Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
  • Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $53
  • Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $53
  • Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $54
  • Riga Airport to City Center Private Transfers: $59
  • Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga City: $71
  • Paintball Adventure: Expert Guide & Transfers Included!: $81

Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Basse-Terre?

Prices for flights to both Basse-Terre and Riga change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Riga 33
    Basse-Terre 46
Typical Food Prices in Riga

Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:


  • Fast Food Lunch
    5.77

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.

  • Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $42
  • Unique Food Tour: $52
  • Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $97
  • Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
  • Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
  • Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $139
  • Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $140
  • Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $153

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Riga 21
    Basse-Terre 47

Tours and Activities in Riga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $7.00
  • Riga Old Town Legends Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.39
  • Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $7.53
  • Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.50
  • Boat tour in Canal and Daugava: $9.69
  • Discover Riga's Art Nouveau Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Riga Nightlife Ticket: $11
  • Canal Boat Sightseeing Tour: $13

Tours and Activities in Basse-Terre

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basse-Terre are as follows:

  • Full day tour: the best of the island w/photos drone sunset: $215

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Riga 20
    Basse-Terre 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Riga

Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $25
  • Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
  • Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
  • Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $38
  • Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
  • Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
  • Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
  • Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $97
  • Riga Wine Tasting Session: $103
  • Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $526
  • Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,341


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

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


Which is Bigger, Riga or Basse-Terre?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Basse-Terre. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga or Basse-Terre?

Riga 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 Riga or Basse-Terre in the Summer?

Both Basse-Terre and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Basse-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. In July, Riga usually receives less rain than Basse-Terre. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Riga 17°C (63°F) 
    Basse-Terre 27°C (81°F)

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

Both Basse-Terre and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Basse-Terre year-round.

Riga is much colder than Basse-Terre in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Basse-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Riga usually gets less rain in October than Basse-Terre. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Riga 7°C (45°F) 
    Basse-Terre 27°C (80°F)

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Basse-Terre. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Basse-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Basse-Terre. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Basse-Terre averages at about 24°C (76°F).

In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Basse-Terre. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Riga -5°C (23°F) 
    Basse-Terre 24°C (76°F)

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

The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Basse-Terre. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Basse-Terre throughout the year.

In April, Riga is generally much colder than Basse-Terre. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite rainy in Basse-Terre. Riga usually gets less rain in April than Basse-Terre. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Riga 5°C (42°F) 
    Basse-Terre 26°C (78°F)

Typical Weather for Basse-Terre and Riga

Riga Basse-Terre
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)