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

Should you visit Cabarete or Havana?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cabarete or Havana, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Cabarete or Havana?

Cabarete

Nestled on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Cabarete is a vibrant beach town known for its stunning coastline, world-class water sports, and lively nightlife. Originally a small fishing village, Cabarete has transformed into a hub for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation.

Traveling to Cabarete on a budget is entirely feasible with a bit of planning. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to affordable hotels and guesthouses. Eating on a budget is easy in Cabarete, with numerous local eateries and street vendors serving delicious Dominican dishes at reasonable prices. Look for "comedores," small local restaurants where you can enjoy meals like "la bandera" (rice, beans, and meat) for under $5. Public transportation in Cabarete is both affordable and convenient. The local "guaguas" (minibuses) and "motoconchos" (motorcycle taxis) are inexpensive ways to get around.

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 Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Havana or Cabarete?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cabarete is $170, while the average daily cost in Havana is $74. 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 Cabarete and Havana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cabarete $70
    Havana $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cabarete $140
    Havana $84
Compare Hotels in Cabarete and Havana

Looking for a hotel in Cabarete 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 Cabarete


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cabarete Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cabarete $39
    Havana $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabarete

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

  • Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata -Arrival Private Transfer: $23
  • Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata Roundtrip Private Transfer: $45
  • Transfers from Cabarete to Santiago Airport: $50
  • Transfers from Jarabacoa to cabarete, sosua: $75
  • Transfers from Samana Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250

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 Cabarete or Havana?

Prices for flights to both Havana and Cabarete 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
    Cabarete $68
    Havana $18

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.
    Cabarete $50
    Havana $11

Tours and Activities in Cabarete

For Cabarete, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Deep Caves in Cabarete with Guided Tour and Swimming: $60
  • 27 Waterfalls Damajagua Tour from Cabarete Sosua & Puerto Plata: $79
  • Snorkeling Tour & Sosua Beach Day: $81
  • Full-Day Tour to Punta Rucia and Cayo Arena with Snorkeling: $89
  • Monkeyland and Zipline Adventure from Puerto Plata: $90
  • Paradise Island Cruise Snorkeling Excursion: $95
  • 4-Wheel Adventure: $102
  • Puerto Plata Triple Adventure: $120
  • 4 Wheel Adventure: $128
  • 10-Hour Guided Tour of Samana and Bacardi Island Los Haitises: $130
  • Super Buggy Tour in Puerto Plata Shore/hotel + Lunch: $161
  • Scuba Diving tour in puerto plata Hotel/Cruise: $189

Tours and Activities in Havana

Here are a few actual costs in Havana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private: City Tour with Lunch, Rum, and Chocolate: $2,000

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cabarete $16
    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 Cabarete and Havana, we can see that Cabarete is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Cabarete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabarete 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 Cabarete Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cabarete or Havana?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 530 times larger than the population of Cabarete. When comparing the sizes of Cabarete 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.