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

Should you visit Havana or Tampa?

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 Tampa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Tampa?

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.

Tampa

On the north shore of Tampa Bay, across the water from Saint Peterburg, is the city of Tampa. The city has a population of almost 350,000. The metropolitan area includes Tampa, St. Peterburg, and Clearwater. It has about 2.9 million residents and is the second largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is a popular destination for outdoor activities and in 2008 it was ranked the 5th best outdoor city by Forbes.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Tampa 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 Tampa is $179. 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 Tampa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $40
    Tampa $85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $80
    Tampa $170
Compare Hotels in Havana and Tampa

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Tampa? 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 Tampa


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: Tampa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Tampa $69
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 Tampa

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

  • Arrival Private Transfer: Tampa Airport TPA to Tampa City in Business Car: $72
  • Departure Private Transfer: Tampa City to Tampa Airport TPA in Business Car: $72
  • Private Arrival Transfer - from Tampa Airport (TPA): $36
  • Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach: $187
  • Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg Accommodation: $187
  • Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address : $187
  • Private Transfer from Tampa Airport TPA to Lakeland/Winter Haven: $187
  • Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Clearwater: $120
  • Private transfer from Tampa airport To Zephyrhills, FL: $155
  • Private transfer: From Tampa to airport and vice versa : $18
  • Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $175
  • Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland / Winter Haven - Arrival Private Transfer: $54

Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Tampa?

Prices for flights to both Tampa 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
    Tampa $53
Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    $0.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampa

For Tampa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class near Disney in Tampa Florida: $88
  • Ybor City Food Tour On Sundays: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    Tampa $20

Tours and Activities in Tampa

For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Ybor City Immigrant influence Smart Phone guided App (GPS) walking tour: $6.50
  • Tampa Riverwalk: A Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.31
  • Smartphone Audio Private Walking Tour in Tampa Riverwalk: $7.99
  • Tampa Terrors Ghost Tour: $26
  • Tampa Terrors Ghost Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
  • Shared Ybor City Historic Walking Tour: $30
  • Downtown Tampa Historic Walking Tour: $30
  • The Official Downtown Tampa Ghost Tour: $30
  • 1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa: $31
  • Tampa Celebrity Homes Boat Tour: $31
  • Tampa History Cruise: $31
  • The Florida Aquarium Ticket: $33

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Tampa $26
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

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


  • Mojito
    $0.15

Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:

  • Tampa Bar Crawl on a 2023 Street Legal Golf Cart: $40
  • Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
  • Ybor City Private Brewery Tour by Custom Golf Cart: $200


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Tampa, we can see that Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa 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 Tampa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Havana or Tampa?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Tampa, 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 Tampa?

Tampa 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 Tampa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Havana as well as Tampa. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Havana is around the same temperature as Tampa in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Tampa fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite rainy in Tampa. Havana usually gets less rain in July than Tampa. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tampa receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Tampa 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Havana or Tampa in the Autumn?

Both Tampa and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year.

In the autumn, Havana is around the same temperature as Tampa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Tampa averages at about 75°F (24°C).

In October, Havana usually receives more rain than Tampa. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Tampa 75°F (24°C)

Should I visit Havana or Tampa in the Winter?

Both Tampa and Havana during the winter 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 travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine.

In January, Havana is generally a little warmer than Tampa. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Tampa fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in January than Tampa. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Tampa 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Havana or Tampa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Tampa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Also, many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Havana is around the same temperature as Tampa in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Tampa fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In April, Havana usually receives less rain than Tampa. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Havana 24°C (75°F) 
    Tampa 71°F (22°C)

Typical Weather for Tampa and Havana

Havana Tampa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 60°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 61°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 67°F (19°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 71°F (22°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 77°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 81°F (27°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 75°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 68°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)