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

Should you visit Havana or Kauai?

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

Where Should I go: Havana or Kauai?

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.

Kauai

Hawaii is certainly a bucket list destination, but what if you want to do it without being surrounded by tourists? You want the adventure of the land of volcanoes and less of the kids in water wings. Then Kaua'i is the island for you.

Kaua'i, or the "garden island," is full of tropical forests, little villages and even more laid back lifestyle – if you can imagine. It's a smaller island at 560 square miles with a population of only 68,000.

With more coastline miles than any other island, Kaua'i is the result of massive erosion forming awe-inspiring sights like the Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. The island experiences more rainfall every year – keeping it lush and green all year.

You'll feel like you've walked into another world in Kaua'i. Because of height restrictions, this island's buildings are no taller than the coconut trees. So if you're looking for an escape from civilization, you'll want to head straight for Kaua'i.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Kauai 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 Kauai is $190. 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 Kauai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $40
    Kauai $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $80
    Kauai $226
Compare Hotels in Havana and Kauai

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Kauai? 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 Kauai


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: Kauai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Kauai $34
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 Kauai

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

  • Lihue Airport: Shared Transfer to Lihue: $19
  • Private Departure Transfer to Kauai Airport (LIH): $80
  • Private SUV Transfer - Kauai Cruise Ship terminal : $199
  • Private SUV Transfer - Lihue Airport to South Shore Kauai Resorts Koloa Poipu: $179
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Kauai Hotels to Kauai International Airport: $13

Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Kauai?

Prices for flights to both Kauai 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
    Kauai $56
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 Kauai

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

  • Allerton Garden and Estate Tour with Sunset Dinner: $106
  • Ahi Uila Fire Show and Dinner: $110
  • Local Tastes Small Group Food Tour: $121
  • Explore Waimea Town on a Walking Food Tour: $129
  • Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Buffet Dinner and Show: $171
  • Luau Ka Hikina Admission Ticket with Dinner and Lei Greeting: $209
  • Napali Coast Sunset Sail with Dinner: $226
  • Napali Sunset Dinner Cruise: $226
  • Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Manor House Dinner & Show: $226
  • VIP 4-Course Dinner and Luau Kalamaku Show: $237
  • Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail: $242

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    Kauai $17

Tours and Activities in Kauai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kauai.

  • Kauai Poipu & Koloa Town Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
  • Kauai Audio Driving Private Tour: $15
  • Ultimate Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Kauai (Na Pali, Waimea), Hawaii: $17
  • Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Driving Tour app: $20
  • North Shore Kauai Audio Driving Tour: $20
  • Wailua Valley & Waterfalls Audio Driving Tour: $20
  • Kauai Tour Bundle: Self-Drive GPS Road Trip: $30
  • Island Highlights Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $40
  • Allerton Garden Guided Group Walking Tour: $64
  • Cruise Ship Excursion: Kauai – Wailua River Cruise & Fern Grotto: $99
  • Princeville Botanical Gardens Tour and Chocolate Tasting Ticket: $99
  • Catamaran Sunset Cruise: $104

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Kauai $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:


  • Mojito
    $0.15


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



When is the best time to visit Havana or Kauai?

Kauai 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 Kauai in the Summer?

Both Kauai and Havana during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Kauai for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Havana is around the same temperature as Kauai in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Kauai fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

Havana usually gets more rain in July than Kauai. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 0.6 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Kauai 78°F (25°C)

Should I visit Havana or Kauai in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Kauai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kauai because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Havana is around the same temperature as Kauai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Kauai averages at about 78°F (25°C).

In October, Havana usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kauai. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Kauai 78°F (25°C)

Should I visit Havana or Kauai in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Havana as well as Kauai. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kauai this time of year.

In January, Havana is generally around the same temperature as Kauai. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Kauai fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in January than Kauai. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Kauai 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Havana or Kauai in the Spring?

Both Kauai and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Kauai for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

In April, Havana usually receives more rain than Kauai. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Kauai and Havana

Havana Kauai
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 71°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 71°F (22°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 73°F (23°C) 2 inches (52 mm)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 73°F (23°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 74°F (24°C) 0.4 inches (10 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 76°F (25°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 78°F (25°C) 0.6 inches (17 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 78°F (26°C) 0.6 inches (16 mm)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 78°F (26°C) 1 inches (26 mm)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 78°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 72°F (22°C) 2.5 inches (62 mm)