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

Should you visit Grande-Terre or Kailua-Kona?

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

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Kailua-Kona? 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 Kailua-Kona?

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.

Kailua-Kona

Kailua-Kona, often simply called Kona, is a vibrant seaside town located on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere, Kona offers travelers an appealing mix of natural beauty and Hawaiian culture. The town is famous for its historic waterfront, local coffee farms, and as the gateway to many of the island’s unique adventures. Despite its popularity, Kailua-Kona remains more relaxed and less crowded than some of Hawaii’s other tourist hubs. Beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and foodies will all find plenty to enjoy here. With a mix of affordable accommodations, local eateries, and free or inexpensive attractions, it’s a great destination for budget travelers. The nearby volcanic landscapes, snorkeling spots, and lively marketplaces make it an excellent base for exploring the west side of the Big Island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona 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.

  • Grande-Terre Prices
    Guadeloupe Prices
    Kailua-Kona Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Grande-Terre $210
    Kailua-Kona $274

The average daily cost (per person) in Grande-Terre is $210, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $274. 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 Kailua-Kona in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grande-Terre $96
    Kailua-Kona $141
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grande-Terre $192
    Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Grande-Terre and Kailua-Kona

Looking for a hotel in Grande-Terre or Kailua-Kona? 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.

Hotels in Grande-Terre


Hotels in Kailua-Kona


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 Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grande-Terre $11
    Kailua-Kona $45

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) : $76
  • PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Cruise Port : $76
  • Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Port to Pointe-à-Pitre: $76
  • Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre to Pointe-à-Pitre Port: $76
  • 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: $94
  • Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:


  • Rental Car for One Day
    $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Grande-Terre or Kailua-Kona?

Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Grande-Terre $96
    Kailua-Kona $100

Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona

Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:


  • Buffet Breakfast for Two
    $53

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grande-Terre $52
    Kailua-Kona $40

Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:


  • Diving with Manta Rays for Two
    $162
  • Body Board Rental (1 Day)
    $12
  • 1 Day Kayak Rental
    $47
  • 2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive
    $115

Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:

  • From Kona: Volcano & Waterfall Tour, Small Group: $295

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grande-Terre $14
    Kailua-Kona $15


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

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 Kailua-Kona Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Grande-Terre or Kailua-Kona?

Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and Kailua-Kona. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round.

In July, Grande-Terre is generally around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 27°C (81°F), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

In Grande-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. Grande-Terre usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. Grande-Terre gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 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 Kailua-Kona. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grande-Terre 27°C (81°F) 
    Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as Kailua-Kona. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°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 Kailua-Kona. Grande-Terre gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.

Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grande-Terre 27°C (80°F) 
    Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?

Both Kailua-Kona 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.

In the winter, Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grande-Terre in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during winter. Grande-Terre gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. In January, Grande-Terre usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grande-Terre 24°C (76°F) 
    Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?

Both Kailua-Kona 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.

In April, Grande-Terre is generally around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 26°C (78°F), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Grande-Terre. In the spring, Grande-Terre often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Grande-Terre gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 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 Kailua-Kona. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grande-Terre 26°C (78°F) 
    Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)

Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Grande-Terre

Grande-Terre Kailua-Kona
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 73°F (23°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 74°F (23°C) 4.4 inches (111 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 74°F (24°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 76°F (24°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 77°F (25°C) 1.8 inches (47 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 78°F (25°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 78°F (26°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 79°F (26°C) 1.1 inches (29 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 78°F (26°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 74°F (24°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)


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