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

Should you visit Grande-Terre or Santa Barbara?

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

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Santa Barbara? 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 Santa Barbara?

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.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is located in California, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles. It sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a stunning backdrop. The town has a population of just 90,000 but it still offers visitors many cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences that surpass many large cities. There are wide beaches along a beautiful coastline, impressive wineries, and many top rated restaurants. Many people see Santa Barbara as a hangout for the rich and famous, but with a university and diverse population, the city is much more relatable than you might expect, although travel prices here are still somewhat high.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Barbara 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
    Santa Barbara Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Grande-Terre $210
    Santa Barbara $196

The average daily cost (per person) in Grande-Terre is $210, while the average daily cost in Santa Barbara is $196. 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 Santa Barbara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grande-Terre $96
    Santa Barbara $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grande-Terre $192
    Santa Barbara $176
Compare Hotels in Grande-Terre and Santa Barbara

Looking for a hotel in Grande-Terre or Santa Barbara? 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 Santa Barbara


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 Santa Barbara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grande-Terre $11
    Santa Barbara $42

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 Santa Barbara?

Prices for flights to both Santa Barbara 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
    Santa Barbara $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grande-Terre $52
    Santa Barbara $27

Tours and Activities in Santa Barbara

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Barbara are as follows:

  • Santa Barbara Downtown Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Goleta Isla Vista CA: $15
  • Santa Barbara Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Santa Barbara Trolley Tour: $28
  • Sanctum Sacrifice of Santa Barbara Ghost Tours: $32
  • Santa Barbara Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara: $40
  • Santa Barbara Narrated Coastal Yacht Experience: $42
  • Santa Barbara Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • High Ropes Adventure Course near Santa Barbara: $45
  • Santa Barbara Ghost Tours "Dead of the Night" History, Mystery!: $55
  • Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours): $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grande-Terre $14
    Santa Barbara $12

Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Barbara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Santa Barbara:


  • Camping
    $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Barbara

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Barbara:

  • Santa Barbara Craft Brewery and History Crawl: $140
  • Private Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting: $150
  • Santa Ynez Valley Biking and Wine Tasting Tour: $175
  • Solvang Santa Ynez Valley Small Group All-Inclusive Wine Tour : $180
  • Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country: $235
  • Santa Barbara Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Estates & Wineries: $235
  • Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations in Santa Barbara : $235
  • Santa Ynez Wine Tour (All-Inclusive): $239
  • Santa Ynez Cupcake & Wine Tour (All-Inclusive): $259
  • Santa Barbara Wine Tour Experience - Authentic and Boutique : $265


When comparing the travel costs between Grande-Terre and Santa Barbara, we can see that Grande-Terre 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Grande-Terre or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and Santa Barbara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

In the summer, Grande-Terre is a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grande-Terre in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 65°F (19°C).

Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grande-Terre 27°C (81°F) 
    Santa Barbara 65°F (19°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as Santa Barbara. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Grande-Terre is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 27°C (80°F), and Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grande-Terre 27°C (80°F) 
    Santa Barbara 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

Both Santa Barbara 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, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Grande-Terre is much warmer than Santa Barbara in the winter. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Grande-Terre usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Barbara. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grande-Terre 24°C (76°F) 
    Santa Barbara 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

Both Santa Barbara 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, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Grande-Terre is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grande-Terre in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 57°F (14°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grande-Terre 26°C (78°F) 
    Santa Barbara 57°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Grande-Terre

Grande-Terre Santa Barbara
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 52°F (11°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 54°F (12°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 55°F (13°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 57°F (14°C) 1.1 inches (27 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 (17°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 65°F (19°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 67°F (19°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 66°F (19°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 62°F (17°C) 0.5 inches (13 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 52°F (11°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)