Which place is cheaper, Lima or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Havana or Lima?
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 Lima can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Havana Prices
Cuba PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $74Lima $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in Lima is $95. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $42Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $84Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Havana and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Havana or Lima? 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: Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19Lima $6.06
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Short Taxi Ride$4.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Assistance - Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel & Viceversa: $40
- Deluxe Car Lima Transfer - Private Service: $29
- Direct Private Transfer From Lima to Paracas, English Speaking Driver: $269
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer : $22
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores city - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer: $25
- Lima Airport Transfers by SUV/Van: $43
- Lima Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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
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Food Meals for one dayHavana $18Lima $32
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.59
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Ice cream$3.73
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Coffee$3.15
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Donut$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
- Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
- #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
- Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
- 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11Lima $9.15
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 Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.44
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Lima City Tour with Baby Alpaca Class and Pisco Tasting: $16
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Bike Tour Lima: $19
- Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus: $20
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- Bohemian and artistic ravine walking tour: $22
- Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups): $24
- Pisco Sour experience with mini causitas at República del Pisco: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76Lima $5.95
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.71
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Beer$4.30
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Cocktail$3.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
- Local Wine Tour : $55
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Lima, we can see that Lima 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 Lima is in South 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima 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 Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Havana. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Lima, 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 Lima?
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 Lima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Havana usually receives more rain than Lima. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Havana is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Havana in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Havana or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as Lima. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Havana usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Havana is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 25°C (77°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Havana or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Havana usually receives more rain than Lima. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Havana is around the same temperature as Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Havana or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
Havana usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Havana is around the same temperature as Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Havana in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Havana
| Havana | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.