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

Should you visit Grande-Terre or Santa Cruz?

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

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Santa Cruz? 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 Santa Cruz?

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.

Santa Cruz

On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz is $126. 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 Santa Cruz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grande-Terre $87
    Santa Cruz $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grande-Terre $174
    Santa Cruz $122
Compare Hotels in Grande-Terre and Santa Cruz

Looking for a hotel in Grande-Terre or Santa Cruz? 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 Santa Cruz


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 Santa Cruz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grande-Terre $9.64
    Santa Cruz $40

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 Santa Cruz?

Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz 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
    Santa Cruz $41

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grande-Terre $48
    Santa Cruz $18

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

Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Cruz are as follows:

  • Santa Cruz Must Sees: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $3.99
  • Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories : $20
  • Santa Cruz:City Scavenger Hunt Tour with Remote Guide: $25
  • Capitola Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $30
  • Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz: $35
  • Santa Cruz Guided E-Bike Ride & Most Fun Ebike Tour: $120
  • Santa Cruz Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour: $120
  • Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided E-bike Tour for Small Groups: $120
  • Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot: $190
  • Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience: $297

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grande-Terre $13
    Santa Cruz $8.57

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Cruz

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Santa Cruz:

  • Sidecar Wine Tour with Guide and Wine Tasting: $199
  • Private Brewery Tour: $500
  • Private Custom Wine Tour with Hotel Pickup: $750


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

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 Santa Cruz Expensive?.



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

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and Santa Cruz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In July, Grande-Terre is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grande-Terre 27°C (81°F) 
    Santa Cruz 67°F (19°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as Santa Cruz. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Grande-Terre is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grande-Terre 27°C (80°F) 
    Santa Cruz 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz 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, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Grande-Terre is much warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grande-Terre in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).

In January, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grande-Terre 24°C (76°F) 
    Santa Cruz 51°F (10°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.

In April, Grande-Terre is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grande-Terre 26°C (78°F) 
    Santa Cruz 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Grande-Terre

Grande-Terre Santa Cruz
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 51°F (10°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 54°F (12°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 55°F (13°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 58°F (14°C) 1 inches (26 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 62°F (16°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 65°F (19°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 67°F (19°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 67°F (20°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 67°F (19°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 63°F (17°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 51°F (10°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)