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

Should you visit Florianopolis or Grande-Terre?

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

Should I visit Florianopolis or Grande-Terre? 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: Florianopolis or Grande-Terre?

Florianopolis

With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.

Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.


Which place is cheaper, Grande-Terre or Florianopolis?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $62, while the average daily cost in Grande-Terre is $157. 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 Florianopolis and Grande-Terre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Florianopolis $26
    Grande-Terre $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Florianopolis $52
    Grande-Terre $176
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and Grande-Terre

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


Hotels in Grande-Terre


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: Florianopolis Hotel Prices and Grande-Terre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Florianopolis $13
    Grande-Terre $9.75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis

Also for Florianopolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Florianópolis Airport Transfer anywhere on the island by Floripa Nativa: $40
  • Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $14
  • One Way Transfer : Florianopolis Airport to or from Florianopolis: $64
  • Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $32
  • Private Transfer Florianopolis Airport to Bal. Camboriu: $96
  • Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú : $84
  • Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $97
  • Roundtrip transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $168
  • Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $35
  • Transfer Florianópolis Airport / Costão do Santinho: $78

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grande-Terre

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Grande-Terre:

  • Transfer Guadeloupe Airport to Cruise Port: $38
  • PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Cruise Port to Airport (PTP) : $26
  • PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Cruise Port : $26
  • Private Transfers (Airport, Port, Hotels) Guadeloupe : $54
  • Private Transfer in Guadeloupe: $71
  • Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Cruise Port to City Hotels: $26
  • Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre City Hotels to Cruise Port: $26
  • Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport to Deshaies or Trois Riviers by SUV: $91
  • Pointe-a-Pitre to Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
  • Pointe-a-Pitre Airport to Pointe-a-Pitre Hotels Arrival Transfer: $23
  • Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
  • Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island hotel-Arrival Private Transfer: $79

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

Prices for flights to both Grande-Terre and Florianopolis 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
    Florianopolis $22
    Grande-Terre $51
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis

For Florianopolis, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Snack
    $0.44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Florianopolis $26
    Grande-Terre $48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Florianopolis's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Internet
    $0.59

Tours and Activities in Florianopolis

For Florianopolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Historic Center Walking Tour in Florianopolis with Local Bar Hop: $14
  • Bombinhas Beach and 4 Islands Tour: $22
  • Shared Shuttle between Florianópolis Airport and Hotel with optional City Tour: $23
  • Florianópolis Full Day City Tour: $25
  • Rafting Adventure in Apuama - Rio Cubatão in Greater Florianópolis: $30
  • Floripa City Tour by Bus - Whole Island - The Most Complete City Tour: $32
  • Balneário Camboriú City Tour from Florianópolis: $35
  • Blumenau City Tour - departing from Florianópolis: $37
  • Tour Balneario Camboriu and Laranjeiras Beach TELEFERICO INCLUDED: $37
  • Blumenau City Tour from Florianópolis: $38
  • Private Tour: The 7 Most Preserved Beaches on the South Island by Floripa Nativa: $39
  • Lagoinha do Leste Hiking and Photography Adventure : $42

Tours and Activities in Grande-Terre

Here are a few actual costs in Grande-Terre for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • *Cruise Stopover* - Tropical Forest - Sainte-Anne Beach: $60
  • Cruise Stopover at Village Sainte Anne and its Beach: $31
  • Cruise stopover - Plage du Gosier Round trip: $15
  • Full Day Private Boat Tour to the Lagoon of Guadeloupe: $232
  • Full Day Tour of Guadeloupe: $157
  • Guided tour by electric tuk-tuk: $49
  • Photoshoot + Drone on a Caribbean paradise beach or day tour : $100
  • Private Surf Lessons Tour in Guadeloupe: $97
  • Private Ultralight Seaplane Experience in Guadeloupe: $169
  • Stand Up Paddle Adventure in Guadeloupe: $49
  • Stopover Cruise - Valombreuse Botanical Garden + Sainte-Anne Beach: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Florianopolis $8.68
    Grande-Terre $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florianopolis from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.59


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Florianopolis Expensive? and Is Grande-Terre Expensive?.



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

Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or Grande-Terre in the Summer?

Both Grande-Terre and Florianopolis during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round.

Florianopolis is cooler than Grande-Terre in the summer. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 25°C (76°F) in January, and Grande-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.

In Grande-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Grande-Terrein July. Florianopolis gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grande-Terre receives 245 hours of full sun.

Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Florianopolis. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in January than Grande-Terrein July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Florianopolis 25°C (76°F) 
    Grande-Terre 27°C (81°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Florianopolis is cooler than Grande-Terre. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Florianopolis in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Grande-Terre averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Grande-Terre this time of the year. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Grande-Terre during autumn. Florianopolis gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while Grande-Terre receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than Grande-Terrein October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Florianopolis 22°C (71°F) 
    Grande-Terre 27°C (80°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Grande-Terre. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grande-Terre throughout the year.

In July, Florianopolis is generally cooler than Grande-Terrein January. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 17°C (62°F), and Grande-Terre fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. In the winter, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Grande-Terrein January. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grande-Terre receives 236 hours of full sun.

Florianopolis usually gets more rain in July than Grande-Terrein January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Florianopolis 17°C (62°F) 
    Grande-Terre 24°C (76°F)

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

Both Grande-Terre and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Grande-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Florianopolis is cooler than Grande-Terre in the spring. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Grande-Terre fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Grande-Terre. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Grande-Terre during spring. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Grande-Terre receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. It's quite rainy in Florianopolis. In October, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than Grande-Terrein April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Florianopolis 20°C (68°F) 
    Grande-Terre 26°C (78°F)

Typical Weather for Grande-Terre and Florianopolis

Florianopolis Grande-Terre
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (76°F) 163 mm (6.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 173 mm (6.8 in) 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 22°C (71°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Aug 17°C (63°F) 95 mm (3.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Nov 22°C (71°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)