A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Havana vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Havana or Columbia River Gorge?

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 Columbia River Gorge can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Columbia River Gorge?

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.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.

The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Havana or Columbia River Gorge?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Columbia River Gorge. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Also, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Havana is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the summer temperatures in Havana in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In July, Havana usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Havana or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as Columbia River Gorge. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Havana is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 25°C (77°F), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

Havana usually gets more rain in October than Columbia River Gorge. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Havana or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

Both Columbia River Gorge 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, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Columbia River Gorge can be very cold during winter. Havana is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the winter. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. In January, Havana usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Havana or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge 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 spring months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Havana is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the spring temperatures in Havana in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in April than Columbia River Gorge. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Havana