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

Should you visit Havana or Montanita?

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

Where Should I go: Havana or Montanita?

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.

Montanita

Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.

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

When is the best time to visit Havana or Montanita?

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 Montanita in the Summer?

Both Montanita 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 Montanita year-round.

Havana usually gets more rain in July than Montanita. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Should I visit Havana or Montanita in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Montanita. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Havana usually receives more rain than Montanita. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In the autumn, Havana is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Montanita averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Should I visit Havana or Montanita in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Havana as well as Montanita. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.

Havana usually gets less rain in January than Montanita. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In January, Havana is generally cooler than Montanita. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Havana or Montanita in the Spring?

Both Montanita 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 Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Havana usually receives less rain than Montanita. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Havana is cooler than Montanita in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Typical Weather for Montanita and Havana