A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Buzios vs. Havana for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Buzios or Havana?

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

Should I visit Buzios or Havana? 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: Buzios or Havana?

Buzios

Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Havana or Buzios?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $77, while the average daily cost in Havana is $65. 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 Buzios and Havana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buzios $37
    Havana $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buzios $74
    Havana $80
Compare Hotels in Buzios and Havana

Looking for a hotel in Buzios or Havana? 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 Buzios


Hotels in Havana


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buzios $19
    Havana $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios

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

  • Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $52
  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Departure Transfer : $28
  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $25
  • Departure Private Transfer Arraial do Cabo to GIG or SDU Airport by Sedan Car: $241
  • Departure Transfer from Buzios or to Rio Airports by Minivan: $219
  • Departure Transfer from Buzios to Rio Airports by Sedan Car: $129
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Buzios: $98
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 4 pax to Buzios: $108
  • Private Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Cabo Frio city hotels: $36
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Rio de Janeiro hotels: $28
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Rio de Janeiro hotels: $32

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.68

Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or Havana?

Prices for flights to both Havana and Buzios 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
    Buzios $24
    Havana $10

Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    $0.03

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buzios $27
    Havana $11

Tours and Activities in Buzios

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

  • Tour of the most beautiful beaches and islands of Buzios by Buziana Tour: $12
  • Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $16
  • Tour of Bugre in Arraial (Buggy): $21
  • Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $24
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $24
  • Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches: $29
  • Buzios Trolley City Tour: $29
  • Buggy Tour in Arraial do Cabo by Arraial Viagens: $32
  • 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $33
  • 7 Beaches In Búzios With Photos On A Private Tour!: $35
  • Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios: $37
  • From Buzios To Arraial With Photos On A Private Tour!: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buzios $17
    Havana $5.76

Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

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


  • Mojito
    $0.15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buzios and Havana, we can see that Buzios is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Buzios is in South America and Havana 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Buzios would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Buzios than you might in Havana.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Buzios Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Buzios or Havana?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Buzios. When comparing the sizes of Buzios and Havana, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.