A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Havana vs. San Pedro La Laguna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Havana or San Pedro La Laguna?

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 Pedro La Laguna can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or San Pedro La Laguna?

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 Pedro La Laguna

Located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is a beautiful volcanic lake ringed by small towns and villages that are highly frequented by backpackers. Panajachal is one of the best known of the towns, as well as the main entry point of the region, while others like San Pedro La Laguna are quieter and more off the beaten path. Lake Atitlan and its villages attract visitors for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and Mayan culture nearby.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, and The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, San Pedro La Laguna or Havana?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Havana Prices
    Cuba Prices
    San Pedro La Laguna Prices
    Guatemala Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Havana $74
    San Pedro La Laguna $44

The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in San Pedro La Laguna is $44. 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 Pedro La Laguna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $42
    San Pedro La Laguna $8.31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $84
    San Pedro La Laguna $17
Compare Hotels in Havana and San Pedro La Laguna

Looking for a hotel in Havana or San Pedro La Laguna? 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 San Pedro La Laguna


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    San Pedro La Laguna $13
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 San Pedro La Laguna

Also for San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or San Pedro La Laguna?

Prices for flights to both San Pedro La Laguna 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 $18
    San Pedro La Laguna $19
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 San Pedro La Laguna

For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lemonade
    $2.08
  • Cake
    $1.30
  • Ice cream
    $0.39
  • Hot Cocoa & Banana Bread
    $2.99

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro La Laguna

For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Temazcal sauna and dinner, cultural sharing experience: $44
  • Maya Cooking Class from Panajachel: $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    San Pedro La Laguna $22

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro La Laguna

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro La Laguna's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Canopy Tour (for 2)
    $39
  • Kayaking (for 2)
    $1.95
  • Coffee Tour (for 2)
    $7.01

Tours and Activities in San Pedro La Laguna

For San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Beading Class and tour a Non-profit vocational training center a Fun cultural sharing experience: $28
  • Tour a NGO non profit Vocational Training Center Amigos de Santa Cruz and explore the Mayan village: $33
  • Lake Atitlan Guided Tour by Boat from Panajachel: $33
  • Day of the Dead Giant Kite Festival Cultural Experience: $35
  • Coffee Tour in Lake Atitlán: $36
  • Biking tour through the towns of Santa Catarina and San Antonio: $46
  • 5-Hour Private Birdwatching Experience in San Juan La Laguna: $50
  • Private Tour of Lake Atitlán by Mototaxi: $50
  • Sololá Colourful Market Day Tour: $50
  • Tour in the Atitlan Nature Reserve : $50
  • Get fun with an Adventure Tour - Zip Line (Canopy): $51
  • Lake Atitlan Lower Mayan Trail Hiking Tour from Panajachel: $51

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    San Pedro La Laguna $5.63
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

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


  • Mojito
    $0.15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and San Pedro La Laguna, we can see that Havana is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro La Laguna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands and San Pedro La Laguna is in Central 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 San Pedro La Laguna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro La Laguna 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 Havana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Havana than you might in San Pedro La Laguna.

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 Pedro La Laguna Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Havana or San Pedro La Laguna?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of San Pedro La Laguna. When comparing the sizes of Havana and San Pedro La Laguna, 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.