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

Should you visit Havana or Punta Arenas?

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 Punta Arenas can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Punta Arenas?

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.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas is $63. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $40
    Punta Arenas $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $80
    Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Havana and Punta Arenas

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Punta Arenas? 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 Punta Arenas


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: Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Punta Arenas $1.80
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 Punta Arenas

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

  • Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
  • Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas hotels: $64
  • Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
  • Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267

Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Punta Arenas?

Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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
    Punta Arenas $21
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 Punta Arenas

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:


  • Donut
    $1.05
  • Dinner
    $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    Punta Arenas $6.44

Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas

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

  • City Sightseeing and Monuments Guided Tour: $52
  • Regular city cruise tour: $65
  • Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
  • Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
  • Punta Arenas Sightseeing Tour: $72
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
  • Punta Arenas Private City Tour Shore Excursion: $155
  • Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
  • Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
  • Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Punta Arenas $4.86
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 Punta Arenas

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


  • Alcohol
    $7.34


When comparing the travel costs between Havana and Punta Arenas, we can see that Havana is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Havana is in Caribbean Islands and Punta Arenas is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Havana or Punta Arenas?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?

Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas in the Summer?

Both Punta Arenas 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.

Havana is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in January.

Havana usually gets more rain in July than Punta Arenasin January. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Havana or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Punta Arenas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.

In the autumn, Havana is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F)in April.

In October, Havana usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin April. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Havana or Punta Arenas in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Punta Arenas. In January, Havana is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin July. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

Havana usually gets less rain in January than Punta Arenasin July. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Havana or Punta Arenas in the Spring?

Both Punta Arenas and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.

Havana is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in October.

In April, Havana usually receives around the same amount of rain as Punta Arenasin October. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Havana 24°C (75°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Havana

Havana Punta Arenas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 4°C (39°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 2°C (35°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 1°C (35°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 3°C (37°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 5°C (40°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)