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

Should you visit Grande-Terre or Santiago?

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

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Santiago? 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 Santiago?

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.

Santiago

Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.

Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Grande-Terre is €179, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €128. 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 Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grande-Terre 82
    Santiago 93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grande-Terre 164
    Santiago 186
Compare Hotels in Grande-Terre and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Grande-Terre or Santiago? 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 Santiago


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 Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grande-Terre 9.00
    Santiago 4.60

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 Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    0.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
  • Airport Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $87
  • Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
  • Arrival Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago de Chile: $80
  • City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
  • Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $87
  • From Viña Santa Rita Tour w/Transfer: $120
  • Luxury Airport Private Transfer SCL: $90
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
  • Private Round Trip Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago: $96
  • Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $68
  • Private Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300

Is it cheaper to fly into Grande-Terre or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago 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 82
    Santiago 19

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    1.60
  • Hamburger
    2.13
  • Dinner
    22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.

  • Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
  • Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
  • 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
  • Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
  • Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130
  • Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
  • Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grande-Terre 45
    Santiago 40

Tours and Activities in Santiago

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

  • Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $9.00
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
  • A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
  • Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
  • Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
  • Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
  • Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grande-Terre 12
    Santiago 7.15

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $70
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $79
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
  • Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
  • Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $89
  • Kross Brewery Tour: A Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $93


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grande-Terre and Santiago, we can see that Grande-Terre is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grande-Terre is in Caribbean Islands and Santiago is in South 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 Santiago would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago 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 Santiago.

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 Santiago Expensive?.



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

Santiago 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 Santiago in the Summer?

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

Grande-Terre is a little warmer than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.

Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Grande-Terre 27°C (81°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Santiago in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Grande-Terre is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grande-Terre in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.

Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Grande-Terre 27°C (80°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Santiago in the Winter?

Both Santiago 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 January, Grande-Terre is generally much warmer than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 24°C (76°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Grande-Terre usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santiagoin July. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Grande-Terre 24°C (76°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago 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.

Grande-Terre is much warmer than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Grande-Terre 26°C (78°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Grande-Terre

Grande-Terre Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)