Should you visit Havana or Saint Thomas?
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 Saint Thomas can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Recently, Cuba has become open to travelers from the U.S., but only through specific travel agencies and tour companies. One of the best ways to get here is to take a cruise to Havana. This way you can have a terrific experience on the boat while also enjoying the culture and history of Havana.
And here's everything you need to know if you're traveling to Cuba as an American.
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
Which city is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $53, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $175. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Havana and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
Havana's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $66. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $33.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $210 in Saint Thomas For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The price of a meal in Havana can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $8.18 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $3.27 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
The price of a meal in Saint Thomas can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $43 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $17 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Havana $8.18
Saint Thomas $43
Typical Food prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $15 per day to get around in Havana.
To get around in Saint Thomas, the average visitor spends $29 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
Typical Local Transportation prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental
$65
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Taxi Ride
$5.00
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $8.98 per person, per day in Havana. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
In Saint Thomas, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $48 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
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Snorkel St. John Tour from Sapphire & Margaritaville:
$135
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Havana may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $4.61 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Saint Thomas, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $22.
Typical Alcohol prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas than you might in Havana.
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