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

Should you visit Havana or Ottawa?

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

Where Should I go: Havana or Ottawa?

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.

Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River. A city of many ethnic populations, Ottawa is uniquely bilingual with English as the first language of the population's majority and French as a close second.  It is best known as the nation's capital, which is centered on Parliament Hill, an architectural landmark as well as the seat of government.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Havana?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $134. 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 Ottawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $42
    Ottawa $18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $84
    Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Havana and Ottawa

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Ottawa? 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.

Hotels in Havana


Hotels in Ottawa


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: Ottawa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Ottawa $7.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa

Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ottawa Airport YOW Private Transfer to Ottawa/University/Chelsea: $42
  • Ottawa Parc Omega Private Tour with Hotel Transfer: $218
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Ottawa?

Prices for flights to both Ottawa 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Havana $18
    Ottawa $29
Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    $0.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ottawa

For Ottawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Ottawa Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $77
  • Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $78
  • Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $104
  • Evening Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $104
  • Guided ByWard Market Food Tour: $107
  • A Taste of Canada Food Tour: $108
  • Taste of Canada Food Tour with Guide: $113

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    Ottawa $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

Tours and Activities in Ottawa

For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Ottawa City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $5.00
  • Rockcliffe Exploration Game and Tour: $7.20
  • Street Art Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour in Ottawa: $7.20
  • Ottawa Downtown Historic Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Ottawa Mystery Quest: Self-Guided Detective Adventure: $8.40
  • A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $8.99
  • Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $9.61
  • Ottawa Valleyview Little Animal Farm Tour: $10
  • Ottawa's Original Historical Highlights Public Walking Tour: $18
  • Ottawa : Historic Tour of the Ottawa Jail Hostel: $18
  • Aqua Taxi Hop-on and Hop-Off Tour: $18
  • Ottawa Senators Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Ottawa $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:


  • Mojito
    $0.15

Sample the Local Flavors in Ottawa

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ottawa:

  • Chelsea: Guided tour of the Square Distillery: $25


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


Which is Bigger, Havana or Ottawa?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Ottawa, 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 Ottawa?

Ottawa 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 Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Havana as well as Ottawa. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the family-friendly experiences.

Havana is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

Havana usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Ottawa 21°C (71°F)

Should I visit Havana or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

In the autumn, Havana is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In October, Havana usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Ottawa 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Havana or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Havana during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ottawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ottawa. In January, Havana is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Havana usually gets less rain in January than Ottawa. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Ottawa -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit Havana or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Ottawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.

Havana is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In April, Havana usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Havana 24°C (75°F) 
    Ottawa 6°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Havana

Havana Ottawa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) -10°C (14°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) -9°C (16°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -2°C (28°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 13°C (56°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 21°C (71°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 2°C (36°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) -7°C (20°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)