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

Should you visit Grande-Terre or Columbia River Gorge?

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

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Columbia River Gorge? 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 Columbia River Gorge?

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.

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 comparing the travel costs between Grande-Terre and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Columbia River Gorge is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Grande-Terre is in Caribbean Islands and Columbia River Gorge is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Grande-Terre or Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and Columbia River Gorge. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Grande-Terre is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. Grande-Terre usually receives less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during summer. Grande-Terre gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as Columbia River Gorge. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Grande-Terre is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre this time of the year. In the autumn, Grande-Terre often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Grande-Terre gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun.

Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in October than Columbia River Gorge. Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

Both Columbia River Gorge 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 winter months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Columbia River Gorge can be very cold. In the winter, Grande-Terre is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during winter. Grande-Terre 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, Grande-Terre usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge 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, the natural beauty are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

In April, Grande-Terre is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre. In the spring, Grande-Terre often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia River Gorge. Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in April than Columbia River Gorge. Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre