Which place is cheaper, Hilo or Havana?
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 Havana or Hilo?
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 Hilo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Hilo?
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.
Hilo
Hilo is a town on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is also the county seat and largest city in Hawaii County, so many people use it as the starting point to explore the eastern half of the island. The town has a population of just over 40,000 people. It looks out over Hilo Bay and most of the town's development is between Hilo Bay and Waiakea-Uka near the active volcano of Mauna Loa. Hilo is where you will find the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corportation and Hilo International Airport.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.
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Havana Prices
Cuba PricesHilo Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $74Hilo $222
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in Hilo is $222. 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 Hilo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $42Hilo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $84Hilo $142
Compare Hotels in Havana and Hilo
Looking for a hotel in Havana or Hilo? 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: Hilo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19Hilo $25
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hilo
Also for Hilo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer: Kona International Airport (KOA) to Hotels - Big Island: $15
- Departure Transfer from Hotels to Kona International Airport: $15
- Kona International Airport (KOA) to Kailua-Kona - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Kona Intl Airport (KOA) to Waikoloa beach hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $98
- Kona Intl. Airport (KOA) to Waikoloa beach hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
- Luxury Airport Transfer in Hawaii: $100
- Private Arrival Transfer from Keahole Kona Airport KOA: $72
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kona International Airport to Big Island Hotels: $204
- Private Departure Transfer: Big Island Hotels to Kona International Airport: $204
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Kailua-Kona to Kona International Airport: $70
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea to Kona International Airport: $85
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea : $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Hilo?
Prices for flights to both Hilo 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
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Food Meals for one dayHavana $18Hilo $121
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hilo
For Hilo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kona Walking Food Tour : $155
- Farm to Table Cooking Class at Kulaniapia Falls: $169
- Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay: $189
- Farm-to-Table Chef's Dinner at Kulaniapia Falls: $249
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11Hilo $32
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
Tours and Activities in Hilo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hilo.
- Kona Coffee Farm Tour from Tree to Tasting Room: $5.00
- Hilo History and Legends (APP) Audio Self Guided Walking Tour: $6.50
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Big Island Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
- Big Island - South Island Coastal Loop Driving Tour: $20
- Big Island Kona Coast Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Big Island North Island Jungle Adventure - Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Island: $20
- Big Island Kohala Coast Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Big Island - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Driving Tour: $23
- Hawaiian Salt Farm Tour in Kona : $27
- Experience Our Honey Farm And Beekeeping Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76Hilo $10
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 Havana and Hilo, we can see that Hilo 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 Hilo 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 Hilo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilo 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 Hilo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Hilo?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Hilo, 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 Hilo?
Hilo 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 Hilo in the Summer?
Both Hilo 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Hilo because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Havana is a little warmer than Hilo in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Havana usually gets less rain in July than Hilo. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)Hilo 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit Havana or Hilo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Hilo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hilo this time of year.
In the autumn, Havana is around the same temperature as Hilo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Hilo averages at about 76°F (24°C).
Hilo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Havana usually receives less rain than Hilo. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)Hilo 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit Havana or Hilo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Havana as well as Hilo. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Hilo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Havana is generally around the same temperature as Hilo. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Hilo fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).
It's quite rainy in Hilo. Havana usually gets less rain in January than Hilo. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Hilo receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)Hilo 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit Havana or Hilo in the Spring?
Both Hilo 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, many visitors come to Hilo in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Havana is around the same temperature as Hilo in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Hilo fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. In April, Havana usually receives less rain than Hilo. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hilo receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)Hilo 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Hilo and Havana
| Havana | Hilo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 8.7 inches (221 mm) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 10.8 inches (274 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 13.6 inches (345 mm) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 15.6 inches (395 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 10.7 inches (272 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 8.5 inches (215 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.8 inches (248 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 14.8 inches (375 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 12.6 inches (321 mm) |
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.