Which place is cheaper, San Diego 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 San Diego?
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 San Diego can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or San Diego?
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.
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Havana Prices
Cuba PricesSan Diego Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $74San Diego $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $233. 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 San Diego in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $42San Diego $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $84San Diego $230
Compare Hotels in Havana and San Diego
Looking for a hotel in Havana or San Diego? 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: San Diego Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19San Diego $23
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to Carlsbad, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- Departure Private Transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Business Car: $113
- Private Arrival Transfer - from San Diego Airport (SAN) by SUV: $89
- Private Transfer Airport Tijuana/Valle de Guadalupe (Ensenada) or back.: $165
- Private Transfer from San Diego (SAN) Airport to San Diego City: $88
- Private Transfer from San Diego City Hotels to San Diego Port : $71
- Private Transfer from San Diego City to San Diego (SAN) Airport: $88
- Private Transfer from Tijuana Airport (TIJ): $39
- Private Transfer from Tijuana to Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe: $140
- Private Transfer to Tijuana Airport (TIJ): $39
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Tijuana Airport (TIJ): $77
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to Hot Springs/Ocotillo, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego 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 $18San Diego $77
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 San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
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Mexican Lunch for Two$27
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Breakfast at Starbucks$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 2-Hour Ravioli Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- 2 Hour Ravioli Cooking Class With Local Chef in San Diego : $75
- 2-Hour Pasta Cooking Class at a Local Brewery: $75
- Pizza and Ice Cream Walking Tour: $80
- Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $84
- San Diego Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $85
- North Park San Diego Walking Food Tour: $85
- Vegan Food Tour: $89
- Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour: $89
- Little Italy Food and Drink Walking Tour: Pizza, Pasta & Piazzas: $90
- Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $95
- Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11San Diego $48
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 San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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San Diego Zoo$15
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Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- Self-guided Bike Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
- Self-Guided San Diego Walking or Bicycle Tour App: $5.00
- Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA: $7.99
- Tijuana Downtown Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- A Seaside Stroll: La Jolla's Hidden Treasures Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Discover San Diego’s Little Italy on a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Sights of San Diego Harbor: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $11
- San Diego Natural History Museum Ticket: $12
- Whaley House Museum Self-Guided Tour: $14
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in San Diego by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Private Walking Tour and Gaslamp Adventure in San Diego: $20
- Ultimate La Jolla Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour Bundle: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76San Diego $21
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
Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Downtown Bar Crawl Party Pass: $25
- History Tour Pub Crawl of Famous Gaslamp Quarter: $30
- Hillcrest: LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl with Local Drag Queen: $35
- Hillcrest Drag Queen 5 Bar Crawl with Shots: $45
- Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
- $99 Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tours - DayTrip to baja from San Diego: $123
- Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours : $149
- Baja Tour Guide wine tour: $169
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tour: $249
- Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour to Guadalupe Valley from San Diego: $269
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and San Diego, we can see that San Diego 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 San Diego is in North 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego 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 San Diego Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or San Diego?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of San Diego. When comparing the sizes of Havana and San Diego, 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 San Diego?
San Diego 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 San Diego in the Summer?
Both San Diego 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Havana is generally a little warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 27°C (81°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
Havana usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)San Diego 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Havana or San Diego in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and San Diego. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to San Diego because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Havana is a little warmer than San Diego in the autumn. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
In October, Havana usually receives more rain than San Diego. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)San Diego 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Havana or San Diego in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Havana as well as San Diego. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.
In the winter, Havana is a little warmer than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Havana in January average around 21°C (70°F), and San Diego averages at about 57°F (14°C).
Havana usually gets less rain in January than San Diego. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)San Diego 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Havana or San Diego in the Spring?
Both San Diego and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Havana is generally a little warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 24°C (75°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
In April, Havana usually receives more rain than San Diego. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)San Diego 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for San Diego and Havana
| Havana | San Diego | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
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.