Which place is cheaper, Havana or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Havana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu 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: Kota Kinabalu or Havana?
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, originally Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, which is on the northern part of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is located just between the western side of the island and Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve. Most of Kota Kinabalu's historic buildings were destroyed by bombing during World War II, so the city had to be rebuilt. KK, as it's commonly called, is a compact, but booming town today, with its new shopping centers, seaside condominiums, and bustling marketplaces.
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 Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesHavana Prices
Cuba Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Havana $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, 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 Kota Kinabalu and Havana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Havana $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Havana $84
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Havana
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu 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.
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: Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Havana $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $13
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
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 Kota Kinabalu or Havana?
Prices for flights to both Havana and Kota Kinabalu 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 dayKota Kinabalu $30Havana $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $45
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Taste Of Borneo Cooking Class: $95
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $138
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
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.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Havana $11
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan Proboscis and Fireflies Cruise Tour: $32
- Sail and Catch Boat fishing Tour of the Coast of Kota Kinabalu: $41
- Night Glow Stand Up Paddle Experience in Kota Kinabalu: $44
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo: $47
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $54
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Pulau Sapi & Manukan Sabah Shared Activity Adventure: $57
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Havana $5.76
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
When comparing the travel costs between Kota Kinabalu and Havana, we can see that Havana 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 Kota Kinabalu is in Asia 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 Kota Kinabalu Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Havana?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Havana, 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 Kota Kinabalu or Havana?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Havana in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Havana. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Havana. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Havana in the summer. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Havana fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Havana 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Havana in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Havana. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Havana. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Havana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Havana averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Havana 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Havana in the Winter?
Both Havana and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Havana. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Kota Kinabalu is generally a little warmer than Havana. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 26°C (79°F), and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Havana 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Havana in the Spring?
Both Havana and Kota Kinabalu during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Havana. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Havana in the spring. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Havana fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Havana 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Havana and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Havana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
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.