Which place is cheaper, Grande-Terre or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Grande-Terre?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Grande-Terre? 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: Playa del Carmen or Grande-Terre?
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Playa del Carmen Prices
Mexico PricesGrande-Terre Prices
Guadeloupe Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $95Grande-Terre $209
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $95, while the average daily cost in Grande-Terre is $209. 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 Playa del Carmen and Grande-Terre in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $38Grande-Terre $95
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $76Grande-Terre $190
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Grande-Terre
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Grande-Terre? 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: Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices and Grande-Terre Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $23Grande-Terre $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- ATV (Shared) Express & Cenote with Transfer from Riviera Maya: $139
- Access to Xel-Há Park with Transfer: $145
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $83
- CUN Airport One-Way/Round-Trip Transfers to Playa del Carmen: $115
- Cancún Airport Transfer to Playa del Carmen One Way: $127
- Cancún: Cozumel 2-Tank Diving Tour with Lunch & Transfers: $327
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Playa Paraiso, Playa del Carmen, Playacar: $28
- Cancun Airport Private One-Way Transfer to Riviera Maya Hotels: $99
- Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen Roundtrip Private Transfer: $167
- Cancun Airport: Private Transfers From/To Akumal Half Moon Bay: $97
- Cenote Azul with Private Roundtrip Transfer: $120
- Chetumal Airport (CTM) to Chetumal - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grande-Terre
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Grande-Terre:
- Airport Transfer Guadeloupe: $77
- Arrival Private Transfer Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Pointe a Pitre by SUV: $41
- Arrival Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport to Pointe a Pitre: $76
- Arrival Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport to Sainte-Anne: $131
- Departure Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $49
- Departure Transfer from Pointe a Pitre to Pointe a Pitre Airport: $76
- Departure Transfer from Saint-Francois to Pointe a Pitre Airport: $213
- Departure Transfer from Sainte-Anne to Pointe a Pitre Airport: $131
- Guadeloupe to Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) - Private Transfer: $70
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $140
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island hotel-Arrival Private Transfer: $70
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre Arrival Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Grande-Terre?
Prices for flights to both Grande-Terre and Playa del Carmen 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $39Grande-Terre $96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
- Dinner and Show at the Mayan Planetarium of Chichen: $39
- Flavors of Playa del Carmen, Mexican Food Tour: $63
- Playa del Carmen Food Tour with 8+ Authentic Yucatan Dishes: $81
- local walking food tour Inlakech Playa del Carmen: $83
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $84
- VIP Private Mystery Dinner Murder in the Jungle: $85
- Riviera Maya Luxury Sunset Sailing plus Light Dinner and Open Bar: $89
- Mayan Ceremony in Tulum. Temazcal, Dinner and pick up included.: $92
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $109
- Mayan Cooking Class: Chicken Pibil in Secret Cenote: $114
- Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $16Grande-Terre $52
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bus Ticket connecting Cancun Central and Playa del Carmen: $6.43
- Tulum Legends: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Ancient Mayan City: $6.99
- 4 ADVENTURES 1 DAY Tulum Coba Cenote and Playa del Carmen: $16
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2025: $19
- YAL-KU Park in Riviera Maya Admission Ticket: $22
- Adrenaline ATV Cenote and Zip Lines Experience at Tulum: $25
- Chichen Itza and Cenote Full Day Tour from Playa del Carmen: $28
- Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera: $29
- Chichen Itza Tour Options with Cenote Swim from Playa del Carmen: $31
- ATV Tour, Ziplines, Mayan Cenote, Tacos, Tequila and Transport: $35
- Full Day Chichen Itza Historical Tour: $36
- Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to/from Cozumel: $36
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: $17
- Stand Up Paddle Adventure in Guadeloupe: $48
- Guided tour by electric tuk-tuk: $53
- *Cruise Stopover* - CASCADE WITH CRAYFISH- Sainte-Anne Beach: $65
- Pointe à Pitre City Tour, Island Stopover, and Beach Breaks: $101
- Cruise to the Grand Ass DE Sac in an open air aquarium: $131
- Full Day Tour of Guadeloupe: $172
- Private Ultralight Seaplane Experience in Guadeloupe: $185
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $20Grande-Terre $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Playa del Carmen:
- Tour to the Brewery with Tasting and Fifth Avenue: $107
Sample the Local Flavors in Grande-Terre
Also in Grande-Terre, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Local Market, Crayfish Waterfall and Rum Distillery with Tasting: $232
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Grande-Terre, we can see that Grande-Terre is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North America and Grande-Terre is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Grande-Terre Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Grande-Terre?
Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen or Grande-Terre in the Summer?
Both Grande-Terre and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Grande-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Grande-Terre. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and Grande-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Grande-Terre. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Grande-Terre during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Grande-Terre receives 245 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Grande-Terre. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)Grande-Terre 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Grande-Terre in the Autumn?
Both Grande-Terre and Playa del Carmen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Grande-Terre in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Grande-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In Grande-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Grande-Terre. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grande-Terre receives 217 hours of full sun.
Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in October than Grande-Terre. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPlaya del Carmen 26°C (79°F)Grande-Terre 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Grande-Terre in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Grande-Terre. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Grande-Terre. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Grande-Terre averages at about 24°C (76°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Grande-Terre this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Grande-Terre during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Grande-Terre receives 236 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Grande-Terre. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)Grande-Terre 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Grande-Terre in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Grande-Terre. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grande-Terre throughout the year.
In April, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Grande-Terre. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and Grande-Terre fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Grande-Terre. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grande-Terre receives 240 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Grande-Terre. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Grande-Terre. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPlaya del Carmen 27°C (81°F)Grande-Terre 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Grande-Terre and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | Grande-Terre | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.