Which place is cheaper, Havana or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tulum or Havana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Havana can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Havana?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Havana $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in Havana is $65. 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 Tulum and Havana in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Havana $40
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Havana $80
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Havana
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Havana $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
-
Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $210
- Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
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 Tulum or Havana?
Prices for flights to both Havana and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34Havana $10
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
-
Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
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.Tulum $32Havana $11
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Audioguide Tulum, Audioguide-App Mayastadt Tulum, Tour Tulum Archaeological Site: $4.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coba Ruins: The trail of the Mayas: $10
- Tulum Archeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $12
- Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
- Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
- Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
- Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Tulum Mural Tours: $36
- Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $41
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $42
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Havana $5.76
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
-
Mojito$0.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Havana, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North 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 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum 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 Tulum Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Havana?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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 Tulum or Havana?
Tulum 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 Tulum or Havana in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Havana. Many visitors come to Tulum in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Havana. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Havana fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than Havana. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)Havana 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Havana in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Havana. Most visitors come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
Tulum is around the same temperature as Havana in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Havana fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Havana. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Havana 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Havana in the Winter?
Both Havana and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Tulum because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Tulum is a little warmer than Havana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Havana averages at about 21°C (70°F).
In January, Tulum usually receives more rain than Havana. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)Havana 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Havana in the Spring?
Both Havana and Tulum during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
In April, Tulum is generally a little warmer than Havana. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Havana fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Tulum usually gets more rain in April than Havana. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Also, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Havana 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Havana and Tulum
| Tulum | Havana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.