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

Should you visit Mar del Plata or Havana?

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 Mar del Plata and Havana can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Havana?

Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.

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 Argentina, and The Best Budget Tours to Argentina.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mar del Plata and Havana, we can see that Havana is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mar del Plata is in South America and Havana is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Mar del Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mar del Plata 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 Havana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Havana than you might in Mar del Plata.

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

Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Havana?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Mar del Plata. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata or Havana?

Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata or Havana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Havana. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.

In January, Mar del Plata is generally cooler than Havanain July. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 20°C (69°F), and Havana fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in January than Havanain July. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Havana in the Autumn?

Both Havana and Mar del Plata are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Mar del Plata is much colder than Havana in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Havana fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in October.

In April, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Havanain October. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Havana in the Winter?

Both Havana and Mar del Plata during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.

In the winter, Mar del Plata is much colder than Havana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mar del Plata in July average around 9°C (47°F), and Havana averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.

Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in July than Havanain January. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Havana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Havana. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Mar del Plata is generally much colder than Havanain April. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 13°C (56°F), and Havana fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In October, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Havanain April. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Havana and Mar del Plata