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

Should you visit Havana or Durham?

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 Durham can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Durham?

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.

Durham

Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.

Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.

Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

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

Which is Bigger, Havana or Durham?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Durham. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Durham, 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 Durham?

Durham 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 Durham in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Durham. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Durham this time of year.

Havana is around the same temperature as Durham in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Durham fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

Durham receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Havana usually receives less rain than Durham. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Havana or Durham in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as Durham. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Durham for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Havana is much warmer than Durham. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Durham averages at about 61°F (16°C).

Havana usually gets more rain in October than Durham. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Havana or Durham in the Winter?

Both Durham and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Durham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Durham can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Havana is generally much warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Durham fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In January, Havana usually receives less rain than Durham. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Havana or Durham in the Spring?

Both Durham and Havana during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Havana is much warmer than Durham in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Durham fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in April than Durham. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Durham and Havana