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

Should you visit Grande-Terre or Bar Harbor?

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

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Bar Harbor? 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 Bar Harbor?

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.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a seafront town located on Mount Desert Island just off the coast of Maine. The Wabanaki Indians who seasonally fished, hunted and gathered berries, clams, and other shellfish in the area, called it the ‘clam-gathering' or ‘clambake' place. Eventually the area was settled by Europeans who established industries in fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding, and agriculture. Its maritime scenery even attracted artists of the Hudson River School like Thomas Cole, and the area soon became a seasonal resort for the affluent, comparable to that of Newport, Rhode Island.

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


Which place is cheaper, Bar Harbor or Grande-Terre?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Grande-Terre is $155, while the average daily cost in Bar Harbor is $202. 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 Bar Harbor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grande-Terre $87
    Bar Harbor $117
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grande-Terre $174
    Bar Harbor $234
Compare Hotels in Grande-Terre and Bar Harbor

Looking for a hotel in Grande-Terre or Bar Harbor? 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 Bar Harbor


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 Bar Harbor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grande-Terre $9.64
    Bar Harbor $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grande-Terre

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Grande-Terre:

  • 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
  • PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Cruise Port : $26
  • PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Cruise Port to Airport (PTP) : $26
  • Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre City Hotels to Cruise Port: $26
  • Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Cruise Port to City Hotels: $26
  • Transfer Guadeloupe Airport to Cruise Port: $38
  • Arrival Private Transfer Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Pointe a Pitre by SUV: $41
  • Departure Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $42
  • Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Le Gosier by SUV: $50
  • Departure Private Transfer from Le Gosier to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $51

Is it cheaper to fly into Grande-Terre or Bar Harbor?

Prices for flights to both Bar Harbor 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 $51
    Bar Harbor $57

Typical Food Prices in Bar Harbor

Some typical examples of dining costs in Bar Harbor are as follows:


  • West Street Cafe (for 4)
    $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grande-Terre $48
    Bar Harbor $39

Tours and Activities in Grande-Terre

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

  • Cruise stopover - Plage du Gosier Round trip: $15
  • Cruise Stopover at Village Sainte Anne and its Beach: $32
  • Guided tour by electric tuk-tuk: $49
  • Stand Up Paddle Adventure in Guadeloupe: $49
  • Stopover Cruise - Valombreuse Botanical Garden + Sainte-Anne Beach: $49
  • *Cruise Stopover* - Tropical Forest - Sainte-Anne Beach: $60
  • Private Surf Lessons Tour in Guadeloupe: $97
  • Photoshoot + Drone on a Caribbean paradise beach or day tour : $101
  • Full Day Tour of Guadeloupe: $158
  • Private Ultralight Seaplane Experience in Guadeloupe: $170
  • Full Day Private Boat Tour to the Lagoon of Guadeloupe: $231

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bar Harbor

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bar Harbor are as follows:


  • Acadia National Park Entrance Fee
    $25
  • Sunset Cruise (for 4)
    $96

Tours and Activities in Bar Harbor

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

  • Self Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour Acadia NP From Hulls Cove VC: $7.60
  • Ocean Path: Acadia Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $12
  • Historic Self-Guided Audio Guide Tour: $13
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park: $13
  • Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
  • Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
  • Acadia's Ocean Path Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
  • Historic Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour Guide: $15
  • Ultimate Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
  • Acadia NP & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tour: $21
  • Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $25
  • 90-minute Ghost Walking Tour in Bar Harbor: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grande-Terre $13
    Bar Harbor $30


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grande-Terre and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor Expensive?.



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

Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and Bar Harbor. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Grande-Terre is generally a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 27°C (81°F), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grande-Terre 27°C (81°F) 
    Bar Harbor 69°F (21°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as Bar Harbor. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Grande-Terre is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in October than Bar Harbor. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grande-Terre 27°C (80°F) 
    Bar Harbor 48°F (9°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor 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 shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bar Harbor in the winter. In the winter, Grande-Terre is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grande-Terre in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Bar Harbor averages at about 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grande-Terre 24°C (76°F) 
    Bar Harbor 18°F (-8°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor 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, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Grande-Terre is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 26°C (78°F), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in April than Bar Harbor. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grande-Terre 26°C (78°F) 
    Bar Harbor 43°F (6°C)

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Grande-Terre

Grande-Terre Bar Harbor
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 18°F (-8°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 20°F (-6°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 31°F (-1°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 54°F (12°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 69°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 67°F (20°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 59°F (15°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 37°F (3°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 24°F (-5°C) 4 inches (100 mm)