A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Havana vs. Bar Harbor for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Havana or Bar Harbor?

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 Havana and Bar Harbor can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Bar Harbor?

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.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a seafront town located on Mount Desert Island just off the coast of Maine. The Wabanaki Indians who seasonally fished, hunted and gathered berries, clams, and other shellfish in the area, called it the ‘clam-gathering' or ‘clambake' place. Eventually the area was settled by Europeans who established industries in fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding, and agriculture. Its maritime scenery even attracted artists of the Hudson River School like Thomas Cole, and the area soon became a seasonal resort for the affluent, comparable to that of Newport, Rhode Island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Bar Harbor or Havana?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Havana Prices
    Cuba Prices
    Bar Harbor Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Havana $74
    Bar Harbor $243

The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in Bar Harbor is $243. 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 Havana and Bar Harbor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $42
    Bar Harbor $117
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $84
    Bar Harbor $234
Compare Hotels in Havana and Bar Harbor

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Bar Harbor? 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.

Hotels in Havana


Hotels in Bar Harbor


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: Bar Harbor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Bar Harbor $35
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 Havana or Bar Harbor?

Prices for flights to both Bar Harbor and Havana 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 day
    Havana $18
    Bar Harbor $98
Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    $0.03

Typical Food Prices in Bar Harbor

Some typical examples of dining costs in Bar Harbor are as follows:


  • West Street Cafe (for 4)
    $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    Bar Harbor $39

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bar Harbor

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bar Harbor are as follows:


  • Acadia National Park Entrance Fee
    $25
  • Sunset Cruise (for 4)
    $96

Tours and Activities in Bar Harbor

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bar Harbor are as follows:

  • Self Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour Acadia NP From Hulls Cove VC: $9.50
  • Acadia's Ocean Path Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Historic Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour Guide: $13
  • Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
  • Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
  • Ultimate Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
  • Cape Cod Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park: $20
  • Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $25
  • Haunted Ghost Walking Tour: $30
  • Bar Harbor Walking Tour: $30
  • 90-minute Ghost Walking Tour in Bar Harbor: $33

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Bar Harbor $30
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 Havana and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands and Bar Harbor is in North America, 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 Bar Harbor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bar Harbor 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 Havana Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Havana or Bar Harbor?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 360 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Bar Harbor, 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 Havana or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor 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 Havana or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Bar Harbor. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Havana is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Havana in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

In July, Havana usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Bar Harbor 69°F (21°C)

Should I visit Havana or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as Bar Harbor. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Havana is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 25°C (77°F), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in October than Bar Harbor. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Bar Harbor 48°F (9°C)

Should I visit Havana or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Bar Harbor can be very cold. Havana is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Havana usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Bar Harbor 18°F (-8°C)

Should I visit Havana or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and Havana during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

In the spring, Havana is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Havana in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in April than Bar Harbor. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Havana 24°C (75°F) 
    Bar Harbor 43°F (6°C)

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Havana

Havana Bar Harbor
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 18°F (-8°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 20°F (-6°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 31°F (-1°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 54°F (12°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 69°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 67°F (20°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 59°F (15°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 37°F (3°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 24°F (-5°C) 4 inches (100 mm)