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

Should you visit Grande-Terre or Big Pine Key?

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

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Big Pine Key? 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 Big Pine Key?

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.

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key is $144. 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 Big Pine Key in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grande-Terre $87
    Big Pine Key $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grande-Terre $174
    Big Pine Key $128
Compare Hotels in Grande-Terre and Big Pine Key

Looking for a hotel in Grande-Terre or Big Pine Key? 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 Big Pine Key


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grande-Terre $9.64
    Big Pine Key $56

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 : $55
  • 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: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Grande-Terre or Big Pine Key?

Prices for flights to both Big Pine Key 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
    Big Pine Key $42

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grande-Terre $48
    Big Pine Key $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: $32
  • Cruise stopover - Plage du Gosier Round trip: $15
  • Full Day Private Boat Tour to the Lagoon of Guadeloupe: $231
  • Full Day Tour of Guadeloupe: $158
  • Guided tour by electric tuk-tuk: $49
  • Photoshoot + Drone on a Caribbean paradise beach or day tour : $101
  • Private Surf Lessons Tour in Guadeloupe: $97
  • Private Ultralight Seaplane Experience in Guadeloupe: $170
  • Stand Up Paddle Adventure in Guadeloupe: $49
  • Stopover Cruise - Valombreuse Botanical Garden + Sainte-Anne Beach: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grande-Terre $13
    Big Pine Key $9.29


When comparing the travel costs between Grande-Terre and Big Pine Key, 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 Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Grande-Terre or Big Pine Key?

Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as Big Pine Key. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Big Pine Key in the summer. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Grande-Terre this time of the year. In the summer, Grande-Terre often gets less sunshine than Big Pine Key. Grande-Terre gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Pine Key receives 328 hours of full sun.

Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in July than Big Pine Key. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grande-Terre 27°C (81°F) 
    Big Pine Key 84°F (29°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Big Pine Key in the Autumn?

Both Big Pine Key and Grande-Terre are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grande-Terre throughout the year.

In the autumn, Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Big Pine Key. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grande-Terre in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Big Pine Key averages at about 80°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually receives less sunshine than Big Pine Key during autumn. Grande-Terre gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Big Pine Key receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. It's quite rainy in Grande-Terre. In October, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Big Pine Key. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grande-Terre 27°C (80°F) 
    Big Pine Key 80°F (27°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Big Pine Key in the Winter?

Both Big Pine Key and Grande-Terre during the winter 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 January, Grande-Terre is generally a little warmer than Big Pine Key. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 24°C (76°F), and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Grande-Terre. In the winter, Grande-Terre often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Big Pine Key. Grande-Terre gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Pine Key receives 252 hours of full sun.

Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in January than Big Pine Key. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grande-Terre 24°C (76°F) 
    Big Pine Key 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Big Pine Key in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and Big Pine Key. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round.

Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Big Pine Key in the spring. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In Grande-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. Grande-Terre usually receives less sunshine than Big Pine Key during spring. Grande-Terre gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Big Pine Key receives 326 hours of full sun in the spring.

Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Big Pine Key. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grande-Terre 26°C (78°F) 
    Big Pine Key 77°F (25°C)

Typical Weather for Big Pine Key and Grande-Terre

Grande-Terre Big Pine Key
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)