Which place is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Havana or Cabo San Lucas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Havana and Cabo San Lucas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Cabo San Lucas?
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.
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas ("Cabo") is on the far southern end of the Baja Peninsula. It has countless resorts and activities for visitors. There are world class golf courses, fine dining options, and five star resorts. Prior to the 1980s, Cabo was a quiet fishing village but with the construction of a nearby airport in 1977, the city rapidly grew into one of Mexico's most popular resort vacation spots. Today, Cabo has one of the country's most vibrant nightlife scenes. It also has plenty of water sport activities, and a great beach scene.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
-
Havana Prices
Cuba PricesCabo San Lucas Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $74Cabo San Lucas $169
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in Cabo San Lucas is $169. 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 Havana and Cabo San Lucas in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $42Cabo San Lucas $61
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $84Cabo San Lucas $122
Compare Hotels in Havana and Cabo San Lucas
Looking for a hotel in Havana or Cabo San Lucas? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19Cabo San Lucas $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:
- 1 Way Private Transfer Los Cabos Airport to Todos Santos: $200
- Airport Transfer to Cabo San Lucas & Pacific side Hotels & Villas Round Trip: $179
- Airport Transfer to Cabo San Lucas IDA: $129
- Cabo Airport Transportation (SJD) | Private Transfers: $150
- Cabo San Lucas Affordable Luxury Transfers: $145
- Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas -Arrival Transfer: $78
- Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas Port- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $145
- Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port to Cabo San Lucas- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $145
- Cabo San Lucas Port to Los Cabos Airport (SJD) - Departure Private Transferl: $98
- Cabo San Lucas Port to San Jose Del Cabo hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $280
- Cabo San Lucas hotels to Los Cabos Airport (SJD) - Private Departure Transfer: $98
- Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL)-Departure Transfer: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Cabo San Lucas?
Prices for flights to both Cabo San Lucas and Havana 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 dayHavana $18Cabo San Lucas $84
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
-
Pizza$0.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cabo San Lucas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cabo San Lucas.
- Seafood Galore, Los Cabos Food Tour: $80
- San Jose del Cabo Tacos and Food Tour: $88
- Catch of the day dinner in your private villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose del Cabo: $90
- Sunset Mexican Dinner Cruise and Live Music in Cabo San Lucas: $95
- Cabo San Lucas Sunset Dinner Catamaran Cruise to the Arch: $99
- Jumbo Shrimp Dinner in Your Private Villa or Condo in Cabo or San Jose del Cabo: $99
- Cabo Escape Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Open Bar: $99
- Pirate Ship Sunset Dinner and Show in Los Cabos: $99
- Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music & Open Bar on Cabo Wave: $99
- Cabo Pirate Adventure: Family Sunset Dinner & Show: $99
- Sunset E-bike Beach Ride with Mexican Dinner and Margaritas: $109
- Mexican Beer and Seafood Tour in San Jose del Cabo: $109
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11Cabo San Lucas $41
Tours and Activities in Cabo San Lucas
Here are a few actual costs in Cabo San Lucas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP!: $11
- Cabo Clear Boat Tour to the Arch: Hotel Pickup Available: $15
- Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP!: $15
- ATV Ride & Camel Experience : A Double Adventure: $17
- Cabo San Lucas Arch and Lover's Beach Boat Tour: $19
- Boat Tour with Glass Arc Bottom with Beach Time: $19
- Cabo San Lucas Arch Tour and we go down to Playa del Amor: $20
- Shared Guided Cabo San Lucas Boat Tour: $23
- Cabo San Lucas Arc Transparent Boat Tour: $23
- Cabo Glass Bottom Boat Arch Tour for Cruise Passengers: $25
- Famous Arch tour with Glass Bottom Boat.: $25
- Glass Bottom Boat Sightseeing Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $25
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76Cabo San Lucas $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
-
Mojito$0.15
Sample the Local Flavors in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cabo San Lucas:
- Wine Tasting Sunset Cruise Tour in San Jose del Cabo: $280
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cabo San Lucas is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands and Cabo San Lucas is in North America, 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 Cabo San Lucas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabo San Lucas 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 Havana Expensive? and Is Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Cabo San Lucas?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Cabo San Lucas, 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.
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.