Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Grande-Terre?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grande-Terre or Punta Arenas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Punta Arenas? 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 Punta Arenas?
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.
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrande-Terre €145Punta Arenas €59
The average daily cost (per person) in Grande-Terre is €145, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is €59. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrande-Terre €82Punta Arenas €30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrande-Terre €164Punta Arenas €60
Compare Hotels in Grande-Terre and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Grande-Terre or Punta Arenas? 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.
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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grande-Terre €9.00Punta Arenas €1.69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grande-Terre
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Grande-Terre:
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $159
- Departure Private Transfer from Saint-Francois to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $92
- Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport to Deshaies or Trois Riviers by SUV: $91
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island hotel-Arrival Private Transfer: $79
- Private Transfer in Guadeloupe: $71
- Departure Private Transfer from Sainte-Anne to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $60
- Private Transfers (Airport, Port, Hotels) Guadeloupe : $54
- Departure Private Transfer from Le Gosier to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $51
- Arrival Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Le Gosier by SUV: $50
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Departure Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $41
- Arrival Private Transfer Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Pointe a Pitre by SUV: $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas hotels: $64
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
Is it cheaper to fly into Grande-Terre or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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
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Food Meals for one dayGrande-Terre €48Punta Arenas €20
Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:
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Donut€0.98
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Dinner€24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grande-Terre €45Punta Arenas €6.04
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
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- City Sightseeing and Monuments Guided Tour: $52
- Regular city cruise tour: $65
- Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Punta Arenas Sightseeing Tour: $72
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
- Punta Arenas Private City Tour Shore Excursion: $155
- Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
- Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
- Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrande-Terre €12Punta Arenas €4.55
Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
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Alcohol€6.87
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grande-Terre and Punta Arenas, we can see that Grande-Terre is more expensive. And not only is Punta Arenas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grande-Terre is in Caribbean Islands and Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas.
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 Punta Arenas Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Grande-Terre or Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas in the Summer?
Both Punta Arenas and Grande-Terre during the summer 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 the summer, Grande-Terre is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grande-Terre in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 11°C (52°F)in January.
In Punta Arenas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Grande-Terre. In the summer, Grande-Terre often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin January. Grande-Terre gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in July than Punta Arenasin January. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryGrande-Terre 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and Punta Arenas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round.
In October, Grande-Terre is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin April. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 27°C (80°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In Grande-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. Grande-Terre usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during autumn. Grande-Terre gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin April. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilGrande-Terre 27°C (80°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as Punta Arenas. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Punta Arenas can get quite cold in the winter. Grande-Terre is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the winter. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Grande-Terre this time of the year. In the winter, Grande-Terre often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin July. Grande-Terre gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun.
Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in January than Punta Arenasin July. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyGrande-Terre 24°C (76°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
Both Punta Arenas and Grande-Terre are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grande-Terre throughout the year.
In the spring, Grande-Terre is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grande-Terre in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during spring. Grande-Terre gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Grande-Terre. In April, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin October. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberGrande-Terre 26°C (78°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Grande-Terre
| Grande-Terre | Punta Arenas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.