Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Havana or Santa Cruz?
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 Santa Cruz can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Santa Cruz?
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.
Santa Cruz
On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $65Santa Cruz $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $65, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz is $126. 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 Santa Cruz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $40Santa Cruz $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $80Santa Cruz $122
Compare Hotels in Havana and Santa Cruz
Looking for a hotel in Havana or Santa Cruz? 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: Santa Cruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19Santa Cruz $40
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Santa Cruz?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz 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 $10Santa Cruz $41
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11Santa Cruz $18
Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Cruz are as follows:
- Santa Cruz Must Sees: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $3.99
- Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories : $20
- Santa Cruz:City Scavenger Hunt Tour with Remote Guide: $25
- Capitola Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $30
- Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz: $35
- Santa Cruz Guided E-Bike Ride & Most Fun Ebike Tour: $120
- Santa Cruz Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour: $120
- Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided E-bike Tour for Small Groups: $120
- Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot: $190
- Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience: $297
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76Santa Cruz $8.57
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 Santa Cruz
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Santa Cruz:
- Sidecar Wine Tour with Guide and Wine Tasting: $199
- Private Brewery Tour: $500
- Private Custom Wine Tour with Hotel Pickup: $750
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Santa Cruz, we can see that Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Santa Cruz?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Santa Cruz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Havana is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Havana in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).
In July, Havana usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)Santa Cruz 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Havana or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as Santa Cruz. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.
In October, Havana is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 25°C (77°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Havana usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)Santa Cruz 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Havana or Santa Cruz in the Winter?
Both Santa Cruz and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Havana is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).
In January, Havana usually receives less rain than Santa Cruz. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)Santa Cruz 51°F (10°C)
Should I visit Havana or Santa Cruz in the Spring?
Both Santa Cruz and Havana during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the spring for the beaches.
In the spring, Havana is much warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Havana in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).
Havana usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)Santa Cruz 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Havana
| Havana | Santa Cruz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 65°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.1 inches (53 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.