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

Should you visit Havana or Big Sur?

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 Big Sur can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Big Sur?

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.

Big Sur

Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.

However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.

While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Big Sur, we can see that Havana is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands and Big Sur 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 Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Big Sur.

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

When is the best time to visit Havana or Big Sur?

Big Sur 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 Big Sur in the Summer?

Both Big Sur and Havana during the summer 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 hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.

Havana is much warmer than Big Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Havana usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Havana or Big Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Big Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Big Sur for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Havana is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Big Sur averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Havana usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Havana or Big Sur in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Havana as well as Big Sur. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Big Sur in the winter for the cuisine.

In January, Havana is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in January than Big Sur. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Havana or Big Sur in the Spring?

Both Big Sur and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Big Sur for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Havana is much warmer than Big Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Havana usually receives around the same amount of rain as Big Sur. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Big Sur and Havana