Which place is cheaper, Havana or Zanzibar?
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 Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar 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: Zanzibar or Havana?
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
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 Eco Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesHavana Prices
Cuba Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Havana $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, 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 Zanzibar and Havana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Havana $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Havana $84
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Havana
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Havana $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport Pick-Up & Hotel Transfer in Zanzibar: $20
- AirPort & Sea Ferry Transfer Zone: $47
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $15
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport/port Transfer: $70
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Nungwi Beach Zanzibar: $40
- Half Day Zanzibar City Tour with Airport Transfer: $30
- Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $90
- Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
- Private Airport transfers to any hotel in Zanzibar (Arrivals): $30
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 Zanzibar or Havana?
Prices for flights to both Havana and Zanzibar 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 dayZanzibar $28Havana $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- Zanzibar Full-Day Tour Jozani Forest and Swahili Cooking Class: $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $140
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.Zanzibar $13Havana $11
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Zanzibar Unveiled From Slaves to Sultans Audio Tour: $7.08
- Nyange Sandbank & Snorkelling tour with BBQ lunch: $12
- Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $13
- Private Stone Town Cultural & Historical Walking Tour - Zanzibar: $16
- Private Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Tour: $16
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour Experience: $18
- Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Stone Town Guided Walking Tour: Shopping, Culture & History: $18
- Stone Town tour: $18
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $19
- Zanzibar Green Tour Spice Farm and Butterfly Centre: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Havana $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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Havana, we can see that Havana is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa 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 Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Havana?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar or Havana in the Summer?
Both Havana and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Havana. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Havana in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Havana fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Havana 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Havana in the Autumn?
Both Havana and Zanzibar during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Havana. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Havana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Havana averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Havana 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Havana in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Havana. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Havana. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Havana. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Havana 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Havana in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Havana. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Havana. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than Havana in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Havana fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Havana 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Havana and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Havana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.