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

Should you visit Havana or Wilmington?

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

Where Should I go: Havana or Wilmington?

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.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a port city in southeastern North Carolina. It's a great city to visit for it's nearby beaches, large historic district, and quaint atmosphere. The city has a population of about 115,000 and it's the eighth largest city in the state.

Wilmington is also home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as well as the EUE Screen Gems Studios. This is the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside of California. The studio, which opened in 1984, helped grow Wilmington into a major base for film and television production. The city has been the backdrop for many movies and tv shows including Iron Man 3, Sleepy Hollow, One Tree Hill, and Revolution.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Wilmington 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 Wilmington is $204. 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 Wilmington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $40
    Wilmington $120
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $80
    Wilmington $240
Compare Hotels in Havana and Wilmington

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Wilmington? 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 Wilmington


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: Wilmington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Wilmington $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.68

Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Wilmington?

Prices for flights to both Wilmington 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
    Wilmington $56
Typical Food Prices in Havana

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


  • Pizza
    $0.03

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    Wilmington $17

Tours and Activities in Wilmington

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Wilmington.

  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Wilmington Pirate Walking Tour: $20
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Wilmington by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Eagles Island 50 minute Narrated Boat Cruise: $21
  • History and Architecture Walking Tour : $25
  • Wilmington History and Architecture Tour: $25
  • Ghosts of the Port City Haunted Walking Tour: $26
  • Craft Beer and History Crawl Shared Experience in Wilmington: $30
  • Wilmington Ghosts: Phantoms of Pirates and Patriots Tour: $33
  • Black Water Adventure Cruise: $33
  • Trolley Pub Public Tour: $49
  • Island Hopper Cruise in Wrightsville Beach: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Wilmington $39
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 Wilmington

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Wilmington:

  • 2-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Bar Crawl: $55
  • 2-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Bar Crawl: $55


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


Which is Bigger, Havana or Wilmington?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Wilmington, 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 Wilmington?

Wilmington 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 Wilmington in the Summer?

Both Wilmington 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, many travelers come to Wilmington for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Havana is around the same temperature as Wilmington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Havana in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Wilmington averages at about 81°F (27°C).

Wilmington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Havana usually gets less rain in July than Wilmington. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Wilmington 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Havana or Wilmington in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Wilmington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Wilmington in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Havana is generally a little warmer than Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 25°C (77°F), and Wilmington fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

In October, Havana usually receives more rain than Wilmington. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Wilmington 65°F (18°C)

Should I visit Havana or Wilmington in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Havana as well as Wilmington. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Wilmington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Havana is much warmer than Wilmington in the winter. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Wilmington fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in January than Wilmington. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Wilmington 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Havana or Wilmington in the Spring?

Both Wilmington 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, the spring months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the beaches.

In the spring, Havana is a little warmer than Wilmington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Havana in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Wilmington averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In April, Havana usually receives less rain than Wilmington. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Havana 24°C (75°F) 
    Wilmington 63°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Wilmington and Havana

Havana Wilmington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 47°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 55°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 63°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 70°F (21°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 77°F (25°C) 6 inches (152 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 81°F (27°C) 8.1 inches (207 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 80°F (27°C) 6.9 inches (176 mm)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 75°F (24°C) 5 inches (128 mm)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 65°F (18°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 56°F (14°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 49°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)