A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Grande-Terre vs. Big Sur for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Grande-Terre or Big Sur?

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

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Big Sur? 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: Grande-Terre or Big Sur?

Grande-Terre

Grande Terre is an island that makes up the eastern half of the Guadeloupe 'mainland.' It is divided from the other half of the main Guadeloupe island, Basse Terre, by a narrow channel called Rivière Salee (or the Salt River). The island itself is characterized by rolling hills, white sand beaches, and cliffs, and its indented coastline is surrounded by coral reefs. It is home to most of Guadeloupe's farmlands and tourist resorts.

Big Sur

Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.

However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.

While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Grande-Terre or Big Sur?

Big Sur has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Grande-Terre experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Big Sur in the Summer?

Both Big Sur and Grande-Terre during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grande-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Grande-Terre is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grande-Terre in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Big Sur averages at about 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Big Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and Big Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Grande-Terre is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 27°C (80°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Big Sur in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as Big Sur. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.

Grande-Terre is much warmer than Big Sur in the winter. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in January than Big Sur. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Big Sur in the Spring?

Both Big Sur and Grande-Terre are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grande-Terre throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Grande-Terre is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grande-Terre in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Big Sur averages at about 56°F (13°C).

It's quite rainy in Grande-Terre. In April, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Big Sur and Grande-Terre