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

Should you visit Havana or Koh Pha Ngan?

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 Koh Pha Ngan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Koh Pha Ngan?

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.

Koh Pha Ngan

Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Havana?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Havana Prices
    Cuba Prices
    Koh Pha Ngan Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Havana $74
    Koh Pha Ngan $61

The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $61. 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 Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $42
    Koh Pha Ngan $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $84
    Koh Pha Ngan $54
Compare Hotels in Havana and Koh Pha Ngan

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan


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: Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Koh Pha Ngan $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.68

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $9.42
  • Ferry Ride
    $16
  • Gas for Scooter
    $3.45

Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Koh Pha Ngan?

Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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 $18
    Koh Pha Ngan $20
Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    $0.03

Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:


  • Noodle Lunch (for One)
    $1.26
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $12
  • Smoothies (for Two)
    $1.26
  • Ice Cream
    $0.63
  • Juice
    $1.88
  • 3 Spring Rolls
    $0.94
  • 2 Pancakes
    $1.88

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    Koh Pha Ngan $19

Tours and Activities in Havana

Here are a few actual costs in Havana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private: City Tour with Lunch, Rum, and Chocolate: $2,000

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Koh Pha Ngan $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

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


  • Mojito
    $0.15

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)
    $8.16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Havana is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands and Koh Pha Ngan is in Asia, 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 Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Havana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Havana than you might in Koh Pha Ngan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Havana Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Havana or Koh Pha Ngan?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Koh Pha Ngan?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Havana or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Pha Ngan. In July, Havana usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In the summer, Havana is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Havana in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Havana or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Havana during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

December to March is the dry season in Koh Pha Ngan. October and November is the rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Havana usually gets less rain in October than Koh Pha Ngan. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Havana is generally around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Havana or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Koh Pha Ngan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. In January, Havana usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Havana is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan in the winter. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Havana or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Havana as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

Havana usually gets less rain in April than Koh Pha Ngan. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Havana is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Havana in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Havana 24°C (75°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Havana

Havana Koh Pha Ngan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 24°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 24°C (76°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (76°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 25°C (76°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 240 mm (9.5 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 23°C (74°F) 335 mm (13.2 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)