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

Should you visit Havana or Gainesville?

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 Gainesville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Gainesville?

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.

Gainesville

Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Havana or Gainesville?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Gainesville. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Gainesville, 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 Gainesville?

Gainesville 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 Gainesville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Gainesville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Gainesville for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Havana is around the same temperature as Gainesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Havana in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Gainesville averages at about 81°F (27°C).

Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Havana usually receives less rain than Gainesville. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Havana or Gainesville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as Gainesville. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Gainesville in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Havana is generally a little warmer than Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 25°C (77°F), and Gainesville fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Havana usually gets more rain in October than Gainesville. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Havana or Gainesville in the Winter?

Both Gainesville 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 Gainesville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Havana is much warmer than Gainesville in the winter. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Gainesville fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In January, Havana usually receives less rain than Gainesville. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Havana or Gainesville in the Spring?

Both Gainesville 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.

In the spring, Havana is a little warmer than Gainesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Havana in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Gainesville averages at about 69°F (20°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in April than Gainesville. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Typical Weather for Gainesville and Havana