Which place is cheaper, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Grande-Terre?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Grande-Terre or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Carmel-by-the-Sea? 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?
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.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.
Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.
If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.
If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.
Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Grande-Terre Prices
Guadeloupe PricesCarmel-by-the-Sea Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrande-Terre $210Carmel-by-the-Sea $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Grande-Terre is $210, while the average daily cost in Carmel-by-the-Sea is $0.00. 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 Grande-Terre and Carmel-by-the-Sea in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrande-Terre $96Carmel-by-the-Sea -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrande-Terre $192Carmel-by-the-Sea $0.00
Compare Hotels in Grande-Terre and Carmel-by-the-Sea
Looking for a hotel in Grande-Terre or Carmel-by-the-Sea? 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.
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: Grande-Terre Hotel Prices and Carmel-by-the-Sea Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grande-Terre $11Carmel-by-the-Sea $125
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grande-Terre
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Grande-Terre:
- Transfer Guadeloupe Airport to Cruise Port: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Pointe a Pitre by SUV: $41
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre Arrival Transfer: $47
- Arrival Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Le Gosier by SUV: $50
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island hotel-Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Cruise Port to Airport (PTP) : $75
- PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Cruise Port : $75
- Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Port to Pointe-à-Pitre: $75
- Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre to Pointe-à-Pitre Port: $75
- Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport to Deshaies or Trois Riviers by SUV: $91
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $93
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
Is it cheaper to fly into Grande-Terre or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Prices for flights to both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Grande-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
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Food Meals for one dayGrande-Terre $96Carmel-by-the-Sea $264
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
- Old Monterey Walking Food Tour: $164
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grande-Terre $52Carmel-by-the-Sea -
Tours and Activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Carmel-by-the-Sea are as follows:
- Carmel-by-the-Sea's Fairytale Houses: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $7.99
- Carmel Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Carmel-by-the-Sea Mission Areas: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Carmel on Foot Audio Tour: Courtyards, Artists & Ocean Views: $9.99
- Off the Beaten Path in A Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Scenic Path A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey: $12
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour of 17 Mile Drive Monterey: $14
- Driving the California Coast: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel: $15
- Point Lobos - A Private Charming Ocean Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrande-Terre $14Carmel-by-the-Sea -
Sample the Local Flavors in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Carmel-by-the-Sea:
- Carmel Valley Village: Wine Tasting Tours in a 1970 VW bus.: $139
- Wine Tasting Tours in a Vintage VW Bus: $139
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea: $159
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea: $159
- Morning Half Day Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour : $236
- Carmel Valley Wine Tour's Premium Package: $245
- Afternoon Half-day Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour: $249
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grande-Terre and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Grande-Terre is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grande-Terre is in Caribbean Islands and Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.
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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Grande-Terre or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Grande-Terre is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grande-Terre in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 63°F (17°C).
Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrande-Terre 27°C (81°F)Carmel-by-the-Sea 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Grande-Terre is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 27°C (80°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrande-Terre 27°C (80°F)Carmel-by-the-Sea 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?
Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Grande-Terre are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grande-Terre throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.
Grande-Terre is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
In January, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrande-Terre 24°C (76°F)Carmel-by-the-Sea 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?
Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Grande-Terre during the spring 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Grande-Terre is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grande-Terre in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 56°F (13°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrande-Terre 26°C (78°F)Carmel-by-the-Sea 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Grande-Terre
| Grande-Terre | Carmel-by-the-Sea | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.