Which place is cheaper, Havana or Vang Vieng?
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 Vang Vieng or Havana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng or Havana?
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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 Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesHavana Prices
Cuba Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $18Havana $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $18, while the average daily cost in Havana is $82. 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 Vang Vieng and Havana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.09Havana $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.18Havana $92
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Havana
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.00Havana $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
- Vang Vieng Private Transfer: Hotel - Railway Station - Vientiane: $11
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$0.75
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Havana?
Prices for flights to both Havana and Vang Vieng 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 dayVang Vieng $10Havana $20
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$0.04
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.59Havana $12
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Nam Song River Kayak Tour: $18
- Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $24
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Vang Vieng Nam Xay Top View, Blue Lagoon and Cave Tour: $36
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $38
- Vang Vieng Jung Cave, Blue Lagoon 2 and 3 Guided Tour: $45
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng: $50
- Vang Vieng Zipline & Kayaking Cave Adventure: $50
- Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
- Vang Vieng Day Tour: Zipline, Water Cave, Kayak & Blue Lagoon 3: $52
- Vang Vieng Discovery Tour 4 Caves and 2 Villages: $53
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.07Havana $6.37
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$0.17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Havana, we can see that Havana is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vang Vieng is in Asia 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 Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Havana?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng or Havana?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Havana in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Havana. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
Vang Vieng usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Havana. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Havana in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Havana fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Havana 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Havana in the Autumn?
Both Havana and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Havana. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Havana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Havana averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Havana 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Havana in the Winter?
Both Havana and Vang Vieng during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in January than Havana. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Vang Vieng is generally a little warmer than Havana. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Havana 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Havana in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Havana. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Vang Vieng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Havana. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Havana in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Havana fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Havana 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Havana and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Havana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.