Should you visit Havana or Freeport?
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 Freeport can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Recently, Cuba has become open to travelers from the U.S., but only through specific travel agencies and tour companies. One of the best ways to get here is to take a cruise to Havana. This way you can have a terrific experience on the boat while also enjoying the culture and history of Havana.
And here's everything you need to know if you're traveling to Cuba as an American.
Freeport
When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.
This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.
Which city is cheaper, Freeport or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $52, while the average daily cost in Freeport is $195. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Havana and Freeport in more detail.
Accommodation
Havana's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $64. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $32.
Travelers usually pay around $226 for a double occupancy room in Freeport If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The price of a meal in Havana can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $8.18 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $3.27 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
In Freeport travelers spend around $51 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Havana $8.18
Freeport $51
Typical Food prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Bahamian Culture and Cooking Lesson Tour:
$71
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A Taste of Bahamas Cultural Food Tour:
$79
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Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience:
$120
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $15 per day to get around in Havana.
Freeport's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $47 per person, per day on transportation in Freeport.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Freeport
Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Bahamas: Round-Trip Airport & Seaport Transfers:
$20
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Freeport Roundtrip Airport Transfers:
$16
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Freeport Shore Excursion: Round-Trip Beach Transfer to Taino Beach:
$18
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Private Airport Transfer: Freeport to Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO):
$50
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Private Airport Transfer: Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO) to Freeport:
$50
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Private Arrival Luxury Transfer: Freeport International Airport (1 - 10):
$294
-
Private Arrival Transfer: Freeport International Airport to Hotels (1 - 2):
$47
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Private Arrival Transfer: Freeport International Airport to Hotels (3 - 4):
$94
-
Private Arrival Transfer: Freeport International Airport to Hotels (5 - 8):
$141
-
Private Departure Luxury Transfer: Freeport International Airport (1 - 10):
$294
-
Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Freeport International Airport (1 - 2):
$47
-
Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Freeport International Airport (3 - 4):
$94
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Freeport?
Prices for flights to both Freeport 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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $8.98 per person, per day in Havana. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Freeport can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $32 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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10 Dive Package
$299
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4 Hr. Kayak Tour
$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip
$75
Tours and Activities in Freeport
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.
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Junkanoo Beach Shuttle from Freeport Cruise Ship Dock:
$15
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Shore Excursion: Freeport Beach and Shopping Tour:
$26
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Freeport 3-Hour City Tour:
$30
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Grum Ma's Cultural Center Admission and Tour:
$38
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Best of the Grand Bahamas Tour:
$50
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Tesla City Tours and MadKap Beach Experience:
$51
-
Freeport 4-Hour Garden of the Groves Tour:
$55
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Freeport Snorkeling Adventure:
$55
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High Rock & New Free Town: Half-Day Tour from Freeport:
$55
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Freeport Reef Snorkeling Adventure with Beach Break and Shopping:
$70
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Cave Tour and Gold Rock Beach:
$75
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Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour:
$76
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Havana may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $4.61 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Freeport, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $24.
Typical Alcohol prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:
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Sands Brewery 1.5-Hour Tour - All You Can Drink:
$26
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Freeport Shore Excursion: Bahamian Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting:
$31
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Freeport Bazaar and Brewery Tour:
$44
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Brewery Tour at Bahamian Brewery:
$65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Freeport, we can see that Freeport 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 Freeport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Freeport than you might in Havana.
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