Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona?
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 Kailua-Kona can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Kailua-Kona?
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.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona, often simply called Kona, is a vibrant seaside town located on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere, Kona offers travelers an appealing mix of natural beauty and Hawaiian culture. The town is famous for its historic waterfront, local coffee farms, and as the gateway to many of the island’s unique adventures. Despite its popularity, Kailua-Kona remains more relaxed and less crowded than some of Hawaii’s other tourist hubs. Beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and foodies will all find plenty to enjoy here. With a mix of affordable accommodations, local eateries, and free or inexpensive attractions, it’s a great destination for budget travelers. The nearby volcanic landscapes, snorkeling spots, and lively marketplaces make it an excellent base for exploring the west side of the Big Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Havana Prices
Cuba PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $74Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $274. 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 Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $42Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $84Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Havana and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Havana or Kailua-Kona? 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: Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19Kailua-Kona $45
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona 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 $18Kailua-Kona $100
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
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11Kailua-Kona $40
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 Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona: Volcano & Waterfall Tour, Small Group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76Kailua-Kona $15
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 Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Kailua-Kona?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Kailua-Kona, 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 Kailua-Kona?
Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Kailua-Kona. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
In the summer, Havana is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Havana in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (25°C).
In July, Havana usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Havana or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as Kailua-Kona. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Havana is generally around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 25°C (77°F), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
Havana usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Havana or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
Havana is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the winter. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. In January, Havana usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Havana or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona 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 around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Havana in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (24°C).
Havana usually gets less rain in April than Kailua-Kona. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Havana
| Havana | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.