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

Should you visit Havana or Cocoa Beach?

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 Cocoa Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Cocoa Beach?

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.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach, Florida has long been a favorite vacation spot for travelers looking for sun, sand, and waves. The location was also made famous as the setting for the 1960's television show, "I Dream of Jeannie". The town of just over 11,000 is located in Brevard County along the Atlantic coast. Many people visit the area because of its excellent surfing. There are many surfing festivals and competitions held here yearly and the famous Ron Jon's surf shop receives about 2 million visitors a year. The city is also home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Cocoa Beach or Havana?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $65, while the average daily cost in Cocoa Beach is $145. 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 Cocoa Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $40
    Cocoa Beach $85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $80
    Cocoa Beach $170
Compare Hotels in Havana and Cocoa Beach

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Cocoa Beach? 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 Havana


Hotels in Cocoa Beach


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: Cocoa Beach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Cocoa Beach $26
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 Cocoa Beach

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

  • Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral Hotel transfers : $47
  • Private Transfer from Cocoa to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $277
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $279
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $293

Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Cocoa Beach?

Prices for flights to both Cocoa Beach 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 day
    Havana $10
    Cocoa Beach $43
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 Cocoa Beach

For Cocoa Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Guided Walking Food Tour in Cocoa Beach: $79
  • 3-Hour Indian River Queen Cruise with Dinner: $79
  • Guided Walking Food Tour in Cocoa Beach: $79
  • Village Food Tours Lunch & History Tour: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    Cocoa Beach $16

Tours and Activities in Cocoa Beach

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

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Palm Bay by 3Quest Challenge: $10
  • 1 Hour Historic Riverboat Shared Cruise in Cocoa City: $25
  • Banana River Sunset Cruise w/ Dolphin Watching: $40
  • Sunset Cruise on the Beautiful Banana River: $40
  • Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours on the Banana River: $40
  • Thousand Islands Banana River Boat Cruise: $40
  • Dolphin Tours along and near the beautiful Indian River Lagoon : $40
  • Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour: $45
  • Dolphin Tour with Local Expert: $45
  • 2 hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Melbourne Florida : $45
  • Wildlife Refuge Dolphin, Manatee & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!: $48
  • Wildlife Refuge Manatee, Dolphin & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!: $48

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Cocoa Beach $20
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 Cocoa Beach

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cocoa Beach:

  • Waterfront Happy Hour Bar Crawl: $39


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Cocoa Beach, we can see that Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Havana or Cocoa Beach?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Cocoa Beach, 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.


When is the best time to visit Havana or Cocoa Beach?

Cocoa Beach has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Havana or Cocoa Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Havana as well as Cocoa Beach. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Havana is around the same temperature as Cocoa Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. Havana usually gets less rain in July than Cocoa Beach. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Havana or Cocoa Beach in the Autumn?

Both Cocoa Beach and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Havana is around the same temperature as Cocoa Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Cocoa Beach averages at about 77°F (25°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cocoa Beach. In October, Havana usually receives less rain than Cocoa Beach. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Havana or Cocoa Beach in the Winter?

Both Cocoa Beach and Havana during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year.

In January, Havana is generally a little warmer than Cocoa Beach. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in January than Cocoa Beach. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Havana or Cocoa Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Cocoa Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches.

Havana is around the same temperature as Cocoa Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In April, Havana usually receives less rain than Cocoa Beach. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Havana 24°C (75°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Cocoa Beach and Havana

Havana Cocoa Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 63°F (17°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 67°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 77°F (25°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 80°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 81°F (27°C) 6.7 inches (171 mm)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 81°F (27°C) 7.2 inches (183 mm)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 77°F (25°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 69°F (21°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 64°F (18°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)