A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint John's vs. Basse-Terre for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint John's or Basse-Terre?

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

Should I visit Saint John's 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: Saint John's or Basse-Terre?

Saint John's

If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.

St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the 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.

Which place is cheaper, Basse-Terre or Saint John's?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, while the average daily cost in Basse-Terre is $162. 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 Saint John's and Basse-Terre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Basse-Terre $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Basse-Terre $192
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Basse-Terre

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's 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 Saint Johns


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: Basse-Terre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Basse-Terre $8.57
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:


  • Local Bus
    $1.52
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:

  • Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
  • Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
  • Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
  • Airport Transfer from/to all resorts in Antigua - Water Inc.: $59
  • Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
  • Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
  • VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
  • Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU) to island Private Transfer: $77
  • Island to Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU)- Private Transfer: $77
  • Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Island Hotels: $78
  • Antigua VC Bird Airport to Island Hotels Private Arrival Transfer: $82
  • Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Basse-Terre?

Prices for flights to both Basse-Terre and Saint John's 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
    Saint John's $68
    Basse-Terre $49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.

  • City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
  • Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
  • Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Basse-Terre $50
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's

Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu
    $3.00

Tours and Activities in Saint John's

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Chariot City Tour Antigua: $20
  • City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
  • Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
  • Small-Group Hiking Experience in Antigua: $70
  • Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
  • 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $73
  • Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
  • Kayak Eco Adventures Glass Kayak Nature and Snorkeling Tour: $75
  • Authentic Antiguan Experience: $79
  • TRIPLE ACTIVITY TOUR, Bike Kayak Hike, ANTIGUA : $80
  • Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80

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: $214

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Basse-Terre $14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Basse-Terre, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Basse-Terre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Basse-Terre would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Basse-Terre 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Basse-Terre.

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


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Basse-Terre?

Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Basse-Terre. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's 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 Saint John's or Basse-Terre?

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 Saint John's or Basse-Terre in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Basse-Terre. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Basse-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Basse-Terre receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint John's usually receives around the same amount of rain as Basse-Terre. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basse-Terre this time of the year. In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basse-Terre during summer. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Basse-Terre receives 245 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Basse-Terre. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Basse-Terre 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Saint John's or Basse-Terre in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Basse-Terre. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Basse-Terre throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Basse-Terre. Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Basse-Terre. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint John's often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Basse-Terre. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basse-Terre receives 217 hours of full sun.

Saint John's is around the same temperature as Basse-Terre in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Basse-Terre 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Saint John's or Basse-Terre in the Winter?

Both Basse-Terre and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Basse-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Saint John's usually receives around the same amount of rain as Basse-Terre. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

In the winter, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Basse-Terre. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Basse-Terre averages at about 24°C (76°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Basse-Terre 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Saint John's or Basse-Terre in the Spring?

Both Basse-Terre and Saint John's during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Basse-Terre year-round.

Basse-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Basse-Terre. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

In April, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Basse-Terre. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Basse-Terre 26°C (78°F)

Typical Weather for Basse-Terre and Saint John's

Saint John's Basse-Terre
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)


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