A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Grand-Bourg vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Grand-Bourg or Columbia River Gorge?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Grand-Bourg and Columbia River Gorge can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Grand-Bourg or Columbia River Gorge?

Grand-Bourg

Marie-Galante is an island of the Guadeloupe archipelago, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean. Sometimes called the "Big Pancake" for its circular shape and flat terrain, the island is a prime location for sugar fields which provide the ingredients for Marie Galante's famous cane juice rum. The island is also known for its many windmills, beaches, and historic plantations.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.

The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand-Bourg and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Grand-Bourg is more expensive. And not only is Columbia River Gorge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand-Bourg is in Caribbean Islands and Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia River Gorge 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 Grand-Bourg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grand-Bourg than you might in Columbia River Gorge.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Grand-Bourg Expensive? and Is Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Grand-Bourg or Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Grand-Bourg. When comparing the sizes of Grand-Bourg and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Grand-Bourg or Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Grand-Bourg experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand-Bourg and Columbia River Gorge. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand-Bourg year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Grand-Bourg is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Grand-Bourg average around 27°C (81°F), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia River Gorge this time of the year. In Grand-Bourg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Grand-Bourg usually receives less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during summer. Grand-Bourg gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

Grand-Bourg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand-Bourg usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Grand-Bourg gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grand-Bourg as well as Columbia River Gorge. Grand-Bourg attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

Grand-Bourg is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand-Bourg averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Grand-Bourg this time of the year. In the autumn, Grand-Bourg often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Grand-Bourg gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun.

Grand-Bourg receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand-Bourg usually gets more rain in October than Columbia River Gorge. Grand-Bourg gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Grand-Bourg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand-Bourg throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Columbia River Gorge. In the winter, Grand-Bourg is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand-Bourg in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 40°F (4°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grand-Bourg. Grand-Bourg usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during winter. Grand-Bourg gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. In January, Grand-Bourg usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Grand-Bourg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Grand-Bourg during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand-Bourg because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Grand-Bourg is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Grand-Bourg average around 26°C (78°F), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In Columbia River Gorge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Grand-Bourg. In the spring, Grand-Bourg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia River Gorge. Grand-Bourg gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand-Bourg. Grand-Bourg usually gets more rain in April than Columbia River Gorge. Grand-Bourg gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Grand-Bourg