Weather in Basse-Terre

About Basse-Terre

Basse-Terre's Soufrière volcano dominates the landscape—an active peak belching sulfurous steam where hikers climb through rainforest to reach the crater. The town itself is small and authentically Caribbean, serving as the administrative capital while the business district sprawls elsewhere. The island's western coast offers the most dramatic scenery and least tourism.

Country

Guadeloupe

Best months to visit

Year-round

Currency

EUR

Language

French

Things to do in Basse-Terre

La Soufrière volcano hiking and crater exploration Rainforest canopy walks and hummingbird spotting Carbet Falls waterfall hiking and natural pool bathing Diving along volcanic underwater slopes Local market shopping and Creole cooking Botanical gardens exploring tropical plant species

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

26C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

February

26C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

March

26C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

April

27C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

May

28C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

June

28C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

July

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

August

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

September

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

October

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

November

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

December

27C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

Basse-Terre is Guadeloupe's volcanic, rainforest-clad western wing, dominated by the looming bulk of La Soufrière, an active volcano you can hike to the summit of on a clear day. Waterfalls tumble through dense jungle, the Carbet Falls rank among the Caribbean's most impressive, and the coastline alternates between black volcanic sand and the diving mecca of the Cousteau Reserve at Pigeon Island.

Best areas to stay in Basse-Terre

Basse-Terre Town

The historic, sleepy administrative capital of Guadeloupe, with colonial architecture and a fortress overlooking the sea.

Saint-Claude

A hillside town just below La Soufrière, a common starting point for volcano hikes.

Bouillante / Pigeon Island

The coastal area for the Cousteau Marine Reserve, Guadeloupe's top diving and snorkelling destination.

Trois-Rivières

A southern village known for petroglyphs and ferry access to Les Saintes.

Getting to Basse-Terre

✈

Flights

Fly into Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet Airport (PTP) via Paris, then drive around 1-1.5 hours to Basse-Terre.

⏱

From London

~10-12 hours total journey time from London, including connection and transfer

🚕

Getting around

A rental car is strongly recommended for reaching the volcano trails, waterfalls, and dive sites.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Basse-Terre?

January to April is the dry season, best for hiking La Soufrière, which is often shrouded in cloud during wetter months.

What is Basse-Terre famous for?

La Soufrière volcano, the Carbet Falls, and the Cousteau Marine Reserve around Pigeon Island, regarded as one of the best diving spots in the Caribbean.

Can you hike La Soufrière?

Yes — a marked trail leads to the summit, taking around 2-3 hours round trip; weather can change quickly, so check conditions and go with appropriate footwear.

How do I get to Basse-Terre from Pointe-à-Pitre?

It's around a 1-1.5 hour drive by rental car or bus along Guadeloupe's southern or western coastal roads.

What currency and language are used in Basse-Terre?

The Euro (EUR) and French, as Guadeloupe is part of France; some English is spoken in tourist areas but it's more limited than on Grande-Terre.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Hiking La Soufrière was tough but the views from the top, when the clouds cleared, were extraordinary. Carbet Falls afterwards was the perfect cool-off.

Laure D. · February 2024

★★★★★

Diving at the Cousteau Reserve near Pigeon Island was some of the best visibility and marine life I've seen in the Caribbean.

Sam R. · January 2023

★★★★☆

Much greener and wilder than Grande-Terre. Worth a couple of nights here just for the waterfalls and volcano alone.

Elodie V. · March 2024