Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Havana or Koh Tao?
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 Tao can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Koh Tao?
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 Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
-
Havana Prices
Cuba PricesKoh Tao Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $74Koh Tao $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $50. 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 Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $42Koh Tao $16
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $84Koh Tao $32
Compare Hotels in Havana and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Havana or Koh Tao? 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.
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 Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19Koh Tao $9.98
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 Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
-
Motorbike Rental$5.97
-
Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$20
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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 dayHavana $18Koh Tao $18
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 Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
-
Sit Down Lunch (for One)$6.28
-
Breakfast$4.71
-
Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.77
-
Fancy Dinner (for Two)$15
-
Pancake$2.20
-
American Breakfast (for Two)$8.79
-
Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$8.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao : $51
- Memorable Thai Cooking Class with Stunning View from Koh Tao : $55
- Private Thai Cooking Class at Rooftop Kitchen on Koh Tao: $208
- Koh Tao Private Rooftop Thai Cooking Class with Scenic View: $222
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11Koh Tao $30
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Kayak Rental (One Hour)$7.85
-
Snorkel Rental$3.14
-
Kayak and Snorkel (2)$3.14
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $24
- Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $24
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $27
- Snorkelling Trip 5 Island Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nang yuan: $27
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $27
- No Rush Morning & Afternoon 5 Stop Snorkeling tour for Koh Tao: $27
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $27
- Koh Tao Top Crystal Clear Snorkeling Day Tour by Big Boat : $27
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
- Koh Tao's First Light Snorkel Adventure with Oxygen Tours: $32
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $37
- CocoTipAdventures and Snorkel with Meals-BBQs-Cocktail-Sunset: $54
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76Koh Tao $8.22
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 Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
-
Beer$2.04
-
Bottle of Wine$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Koh Tao, we can see that Havana is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands and Koh Tao 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 Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Tao.
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 Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Koh Tao?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 1570 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Koh Tao, 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 Tao?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Havana or Koh Tao in the Summer?
Both Koh Tao 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Havana usually gets less rain in July than Koh Tao. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Havana is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Havana or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao. Koh Tao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Havana usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Havana is around the same temperature as Koh Tao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Havana or Koh Tao in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Havana as well as Koh Tao. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. Havana usually gets less rain in January than Koh Tao. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Havana is around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Havana in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 22°C (72°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Havana or Koh Tao in the Spring?
Both Koh Tao and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Tao is February to June. In April, Havana usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Havana is generally around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 24°C (75°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Havana
| Havana | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.