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

Should you visit Ilha Grande or Havana?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Ilha Grande or Havana? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Ilha Grande or Havana?

Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande is a large, beautiful, island located off the southeast coast of Brazil. The island has few inhabitants, resulting in mostly unadulterated beaches and landscapes. There are over a dozen trails and beaches to explore, some of which have been called the best beaches in Brazil. Due to the limited number of inhabitants, ATMs are sparse on the island, so be sure to have cash with you before getting there.

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.

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


Which place is cheaper, Havana or Ilha Grande?

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

  • Ilha Grande Prices
    Brazil Prices
    Havana Prices
    Cuba Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Ilha Grande $80
    Havana $74

The average daily cost (per person) in Ilha Grande is $80, while the average daily cost in Havana is $74. 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 Ilha Grande and Havana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ilha Grande $35
    Havana $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ilha Grande $70
    Havana $84
Compare Hotels in Ilha Grande and Havana

Looking for a hotel in Ilha Grande or Havana? 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 Ilha Grande


Hotels in Havana


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.
    Ilha Grande $17
    Havana $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ilha Grande

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

  • From Angra dos Reis: Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $46
  • Private Transfer Angra dos Reis to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Private Transfer from Angra dos Reis to Airport GIG in Rio : $182
  • Private Transfer from GIG to anywhere in the City Angra dos Reis: $182
  • Regular Transfer Angra dos Reis x Rio de Janeiro and Airports: $36

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 Ilha Grande or Havana?

Prices for flights to both Havana and Ilha Grande 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
    Ilha Grande $35
    Havana $18

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.
    Ilha Grande $6.36
    Havana $11

Tours and Activities in Ilha Grande

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

  • Regular Schooner Ride - Ilha Grande Tour: $12
  • Speedboat Tour Paradise Lagoons of Ilha Grande: $13
  • Boat Tour To The Beaches Of Angra Dos Reis: $18
  • Ilha Grande - From Abrãao: Lopes Mendes beach tour & trekking: $25
  • Shared Speedboat Tour - Paradise Island Tour: $32
  • Tour Of The Motorboat The Paradisiac Islands Of Angra Dos Reis: $42
  • Half-Day Ilha Grande Schooner Tour: $42
  • Six hour speedboat tour of Ilha Grande. Be amazed by the Blue and Green Lagoons: $55
  • Schooner Cruise with Caipirinha drinks by the Blue Lagoon: $56
  • Ilha Grande - Private Historical Walking Tour with Natural Pool.: $60
  • Full-Day Ilha Grande Northern Coast Speedboat Tour: $63
  • From Ilha Grande - Paradise Island 7 h - Speedboat tour: $65

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ilha Grande $10
    Havana $5.76

Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

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


  • Mojito
    $0.15


When comparing the travel costs between Ilha Grande and Havana, we can see that Ilha Grande is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Ilha Grande is in South America and Havana is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ilha Grande Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.