Which place is cheaper, Grande-Terre or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Grande-Terre?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Grande-Terre can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Grande-Terre?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Grande-Terre $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in Grande-Terre is $157. 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 Tulum and Grande-Terre in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Grande-Terre $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Grande-Terre $176
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Grande-Terre
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and Grande-Terre Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Grande-Terre $9.75
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $210
- Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
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 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
- PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Cruise Port : $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: $41
- 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 Tulum or Grande-Terre?
Prices for flights to both Grande-Terre and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34Grande-Terre $51
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Grande-Terre $48
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Audioguide Tulum, Audioguide-App Mayastadt Tulum, Tour Tulum Archaeological Site: $4.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coba Ruins: The trail of the Mayas: $10
- Tulum Archeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $12
- Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
- Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
- Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
- Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Tulum Mural Tours: $36
- Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $41
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $42
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: $31
- 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 : $100
- Full Day Tour of Guadeloupe: $157
- Private Ultralight Seaplane Experience in Guadeloupe: $169
- Full Day Private Boat Tour to the Lagoon of Guadeloupe: $232
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Grande-Terre $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Grande-Terre, we can see that Grande-Terre is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum 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 Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Tulum.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Grande-Terre Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Tulum or Grande-Terre?
Tulum 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 Tulum or Grande-Terre in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Grande-Terre. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Tulum is around the same temperature as Grande-Terre. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Grande-Terre averages at about 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Grande-Terre this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Grande-Terre during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Grande-Terre receives 245 hours of full sun in the summer.
Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tulum usually receives around the same amount of rain as Grande-Terre. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 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 JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)Grande-Terre 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Grande-Terre in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Grande-Terre. Many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grande-Terre throughout the year.
In October, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Grande-Terre. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Grande-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the autumn, Tulum often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Grande-Terre. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grande-Terre receives 217 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Grande-Terre. Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum usually gets less rain in October than Grande-Terre. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Grande-Terre 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Grande-Terre in the Winter?
Both Grande-Terre and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Grande-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Tulum is around the same temperature as Grande-Terre in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Grande-Terre fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
It's quite sunny in Grande-Terre. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Grande-Terre during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Grande-Terre receives 236 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than Grande-Terre. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 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 JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)Grande-Terre 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Grande-Terre in the Spring?
Both Grande-Terre and Tulum during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round.
In the spring, Tulum is around the same temperature as Grande-Terre. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Grande-Terre averages at about 26°C (78°F).
In Grande-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the spring, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Grande-Terre. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grande-Terre receives 240 hours of full sun.
Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Grande-Terre. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Grande-Terre receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Grande-Terre 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Grande-Terre and Tulum
| Tulum | Grande-Terre | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.