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

Should you visit Basse-Terre or Key West?

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

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Key West? 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 Key West?

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.

Key West

Key West is both a city and an island as well as the southern most Florida Key. It is also the southern most city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and one mile wide. The total land mass covers just 4.2 square miles. The most famous street in town is Duval Street, which runs just 1.1 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are 14 blocks. The size of the island doubled during the 1950s when many of the salt ponds along the eastern side of the island were filled in.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Key West or Basse-Terre?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Basse-Terre Prices
    Guadeloupe Prices
    Key West Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Basse-Terre $217
    Key West $832

The average daily cost (per person) in Basse-Terre is $217, while the average daily cost in Key West is $832. 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 Basse-Terre and Key West in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Basse-Terre $105
    Key West $132
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Basse-Terre $210
    Key West $264
Compare Hotels in Basse-Terre and Key West

Looking for a hotel in Basse-Terre or Key West? 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 Basse-Terre


Hotels in Key West


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 and Key West Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Basse-Terre $9.39
    Key West $51

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Key West

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:


  • Rental Car for One Day
    $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key West

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:

  • One Way Airport Transfer Service: $54
  • Private Transfer from Key West Airport (EYW) to Key West Port: $113
  • Private Transfer from Key West hotels to Key West Cruise Port: $114
  • Key West Int Airport EYW to Key West Hotels Arrival Transfer: $156
  • Key West hotels to Key West Int Airport (EYW) Departure Transfer: $156
  • Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West - Arrival Private Transfer: $164
  • Key West to Key West Airport (EYW) - Departure Private Transfer: $164

Is it cheaper to fly into Basse-Terre or Key West?

Prices for flights to both Key West and Basse-Terre 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
    Basse-Terre $93
    Key West $667

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Key West

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

  • Sunset Dinner Cruise with Open Bar & Live Music: $74
  • Exploring and Walking Food Tour of Cayo Hueso: $80
  • Key West Cooking Show Chef Demonstration with Meal: $81
  • Cooking Show Chef Demonstration with Meal: $81
  • Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner, Live Music & Drinks Included: $84
  • Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $90
  • Key West Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise with Open Bar and Live Music: $100
  • Secret Walking Food Tour: $115
  • Sunset Sail Full Bar, Live Music & Dinner & Early Morning Snorkeling: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Basse-Terre $55
    Key West $33

Tours and Activities in Key West

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

  • Hemingway's Key West Self Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.00
  • Key West Pirate Exploration Game and Tour: $8.99
  • Key West Smartphone guided Ghost Walking Tour App/GPS/EMF Reader: $9.75
  • Florida Key West Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Key West GPS Audio Tour: From Seaside Village to Micro State: $12
  • Key West’s Old Town Treasures: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Mel Fisher Maritime Museum Admission Ticket: $18
  • Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum Tickets: $19
  • Skip the Line: Mel Fisher Maritime Museum Admission Ticket and Audio Tour: $20
  • Key West Aquarium Tickets: $23
  • Key West Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Truman Little White House Guided Tour Ticket: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Basse-Terre $15
    Key West $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Key West

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

  • Key West Bar Crawl: $15
  • Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour with Free T-Shirt: $32
  • Bone Island Haunted Pub Crawl: $32
  • Key West Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
  • Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
  • 2.5-Hour Duval Street Pub Crawl: $43


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Basse-Terre and Key West, we can see that Key West is more expensive. And not only is Basse-Terre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Basse-Terre is in Caribbean Islands and Key West 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 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West 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 Basse-Terre Expensive? and Is Key West Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Basse-Terre or Key West?

Key West has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Basse-Terre. When comparing the sizes of Basse-Terre and Key West, 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 Key West?

Key West 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 Key West in the Summer?

Both Key West 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, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Key West this time of year.

In the summer, Basse-Terre is around the same temperature as Key West. Typically, the summer temperatures in Basse-Terre in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Key West averages at about 84°F (29°C).

It's quite sunny in Key West. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. Basse-Terre usually receives less sunshine than Key West during summer. Basse-Terre gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 328 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Basse-Terre. In July, Basse-Terre usually receives more rain than Key West. Basse-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Key West receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Basse-Terre 27°C (81°F) 
    Key West 84°F (29°C)

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Key West in the Autumn?

Both Key West 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 Key West for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Basse-Terre is generally around the same temperature as Key West. Daily temperatures in Basse-Terre average around 27°C (80°F), and Key West fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Basse-Terre. In the autumn, Basse-Terre often gets less sunshine than Key West. Basse-Terre gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 258 hours of full sun.

Key West gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. Basse-Terre usually gets more rain in October than Key West. Basse-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Key West receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Key West is the hurricane season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Basse-Terre 27°C (80°F) 
    Key West 80°F (27°C)

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Key West in the Winter?

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

Basse-Terre is a little warmer than Key West in the winter. The daily temperature in Basse-Terre averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Key West fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In Basse-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. Basse-Terre usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Key West during winter. Basse-Terre gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 252 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basse-Terre usually receives more rain than Key West. Basse-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Key West receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Basse-Terre 24°C (76°F) 
    Key West 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Basse-Terre or Key West in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Basse-Terre as well as Key West. Basse-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Key West for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Basse-Terre is around the same temperature as Key West. Typically, the spring temperatures in Basse-Terre in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Key West averages at about 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basse-Terre this time of the year. In the spring, Basse-Terre often gets less sunshine than Key West. Basse-Terre gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 326 hours of full sun.

Basse-Terre receives a lot of rain in the spring. Basse-Terre usually gets more rain in April than Key West. Basse-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Key West receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Key West is June to November.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Basse-Terre 26°C (78°F) 
    Key West 77°F (25°C)

Typical Weather for Key West and Basse-Terre

Basse-Terre Key West
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)