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

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas 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.

  • Grande-Terre Prices
    Guadeloupe Prices
    Punta Arenas Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Grande-Terre 179
    Punta Arenas 67

The average daily cost (per person) in Grande-Terre is €179, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is €67. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grande-Terre 82
    Punta Arenas 27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grande-Terre 164
    Punta Arenas 54
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.

Hotels in Grande-Terre


Hotels in Punta Arenas


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grande-Terre 9.00
    Punta Arenas 1.53

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: $141
  • Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $93
  • Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport to Deshaies or Trois Riviers by SUV: $91
  • PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Cruise Port : $75
  • PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Cruise Port to Airport (PTP) : $75
  • Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Port to Pointe-à-Pitre: $75
  • Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre to Pointe-à-Pitre Port: $75
  • Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island hotel-Arrival Private Transfer: $71
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Le Gosier by SUV: $50
  • Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre Arrival Transfer: $47
  • Arrival Private Transfer Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Pointe a Pitre by SUV: $41
  • Transfer Guadeloupe Airport to Cruise Port: $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas

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

  • Oneway Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Airport to Punta Arenas: $37
  • Private Transfer - Punta Arenas Airport(PUQ) to Punta Arenas Port: $78
  • Private Transfer - Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas Airport(PUQ): $78
  • Private Transfer from Punta Arenas hotels to Punta Arenas Port: $43
  • Punta Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $57
  • Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
  • Punta Arenas Airport PUQ to Punta Arenas Arrival Private Transfer: $38
  • Punta Arenas Airport Private Transfer: $33
  • Punta Arenas Airport Transfer: $29
  • Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) - Departure Transfer: $35
  • Transfer Airport Punta Arenas : $30

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Grande-Terre 82
    Punta Arenas 31

Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:


  • Donut
    0.89
  • Dinner
    22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grande-Terre 45
    Punta Arenas 5.48

Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.

  • Fort Bulnes Historical Tour: $39
  • Punta Arenas Hop On Hop Off Experience for Cruise Passengers: $40
  • City Tour: $60
  • City Tour Shore Excursion for Cruisers: $60
  • Punta Arenas City Tour Shore Excursion: $60
  • Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
  • Cruises Shore Excursions : City tour Cruises Regular: $70
  • Fuerte Bulnes Shore Tour for Cruisers: $70
  • Punta Arenas Sightseeing Tour: $70
  • Fuerte Bulnes Shore Tour for Cruisers in Punta Arenas: $80
  • Full-Day Torres del Paine Tour: $88
  • Monte Tarn Trekking Tour with Guide: $129

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grande-Terre 12
    Punta Arenas 4.13

Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:


  • Alcohol
    6.24


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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Grande-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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Grande-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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Grande-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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Grande-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)