Which place is cheaper, Havana or Cape Town?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Cape Town 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.
Picture your travel bucket list. Is Cape Town on it? Yes, most people dream of visiting the "Mother City" of South Africa. As one of the most iconic places in the world, Cape Town is a world-class cosmopolitan city full of bustling nightlife, historical backdrops and a large gay community.
Cape Town is the most southern city in Africa with seasons turned upside down. In the southern hemisphere they experience the summer from December to February. During these months days can be hot and dry so be sure to gather in the shade and wear plenty of sunscreen. The winter from June to August is full of rainy days and cold nights.
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 Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Town is $98, 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 Cape Town and Havana in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Cape Town 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.
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.
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
Prices for flights to both Havana and Cape Town 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.
For Cape Town, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also in Cape Town, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Town and Havana, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cape Town is in Africa 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 Cape Town would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Town 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 Cape Town Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Havana. When comparing the sizes of Cape Town 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.
Cape Town has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Both Havana and Cape Town during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
In the summer, Cape Town is cooler than Havana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cape Town in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Havana averages at about 27°C (81°F)in July.
Cape Town usually gets less rain in January than Havanain July. Cape Town gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Town and Havana. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Cape Town is generally cooler than Havanain October. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 18°C (64°F), and Havana fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In April, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Havanain October. Cape Town gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Cape Town as well as Havana. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
Cape Town is much colder than Havana in the winter. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
Cape Town usually gets more rain in July than Havanain January. Cape Town gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Havana and Cape Town are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Cape Town is cooler than Havana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cape Town in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Havana averages at about 24°C (75°F)in April.
In October, Cape Town usually receives more rain than Havanain April. Cape Town gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Cape Town | Havana | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Apr | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
May | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Jun | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
Nov | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |