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

Should you visit Grande-Terre or Wilmington?

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

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Wilmington? 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 Wilmington?

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.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a port city in southeastern North Carolina. It's a great city to visit for it's nearby beaches, large historic district, and quaint atmosphere. The city has a population of about 115,000 and it's the eighth largest city in the state.

Wilmington is also home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as well as the EUE Screen Gems Studios. This is the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside of California. The studio, which opened in 1984, helped grow Wilmington into a major base for film and television production. The city has been the backdrop for many movies and tv shows including Iron Man 3, Sleepy Hollow, One Tree Hill, and Revolution.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Wilmington 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 Wilmington is $204. 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 Wilmington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grande-Terre $87
    Wilmington $120
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grande-Terre $174
    Wilmington $240
Compare Hotels in Grande-Terre and Wilmington

Looking for a hotel in Grande-Terre or Wilmington? 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 Wilmington


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 Wilmington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grande-Terre $9.64
    Wilmington $47

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: $80
  • 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 : $55
  • 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: $42
  • Arrival Private Transfer Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Pointe a Pitre by SUV: $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Grande-Terre or Wilmington?

Prices for flights to both Wilmington 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
    Wilmington $56

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grande-Terre $48
    Wilmington $17

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

Tours and Activities in Wilmington

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

  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Wilmington Pirate Walking Tour: $20
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Wilmington by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Eagles Island 50 minute Narrated Boat Cruise: $21
  • History and Architecture Walking Tour : $25
  • Wilmington History and Architecture Tour: $25
  • Ghosts of the Port City Haunted Walking Tour: $26
  • Craft Beer and History Crawl Shared Experience in Wilmington: $30
  • Wilmington Ghosts: Phantoms of Pirates and Patriots Tour: $33
  • Black Water Adventure Cruise: $33
  • Trolley Pub Public Tour: $49
  • Island Hopper Cruise in Wrightsville Beach: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grande-Terre $13
    Wilmington $39

Sample the Local Flavors in Wilmington

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Wilmington:

  • 2-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Bar Crawl: $55
  • 2-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Bar Crawl: $55


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



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

Wilmington 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 Wilmington in the Summer?

Both Wilmington 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. Also, many visitors come to Wilmington in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Grande-Terre is generally around the same temperature as Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 27°C (81°F), and Wilmington fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Grande-Terre. In the summer, Grande-Terre often gets less sunshine than Wilmington. Grande-Terre gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 283 hours of full sun.

Wilmington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually gets less rain in July than Wilmington. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grande-Terre 27°C (81°F) 
    Wilmington 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Wilmington in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and Wilmington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round. Also, most visitors come to Wilmington for the shopping scene during these months.

Grande-Terre is a little warmer than Wilmington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Wilmington fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In Grande-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. Grande-Terre usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wilmington during autumn. Grande-Terre gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 227 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 Wilmington. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Grande-Terre 27°C (80°F) 
    Wilmington 65°F (18°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Wilmington in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as Wilmington. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Grande-Terre is much warmer than Wilmington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grande-Terre in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Wilmington averages at about 45°F (7°C).

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 Wilmington. Grande-Terre gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Grande-Terre usually gets less rain in January than Wilmington. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grande-Terre 24°C (76°F) 
    Wilmington 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Wilmington in the Spring?

Both Wilmington 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. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.

In April, Grande-Terre is generally a little warmer than Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 26°C (78°F), and Wilmington fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Wilmington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually receives less sunshine than Wilmington during spring. Grande-Terre gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Grande-Terre. In April, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Wilmington. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grande-Terre 26°C (78°F) 
    Wilmington 63°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Wilmington and Grande-Terre

Grande-Terre Wilmington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 47°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 55°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 63°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 70°F (21°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 77°F (25°C) 6 inches (152 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 81°F (27°C) 8.1 inches (207 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 80°F (27°C) 6.9 inches (176 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 75°F (24°C) 5 inches (128 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 65°F (18°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 56°F (14°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 49°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)