Which place is cheaper, Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara?
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 Santa Barbara can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Santa Barbara?
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.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is located in California, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles. It sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a stunning backdrop. The town has a population of just 90,000 but it still offers visitors many cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences that surpass many large cities. There are wide beaches along a beautiful coastline, impressive wineries, and many top rated restaurants. Many people see Santa Barbara as a hangout for the rich and famous, but with a university and diverse population, the city is much more relatable than you might expect, although travel prices here are still somewhat high.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.
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Havana Prices
Cuba PricesSanta Barbara Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $74Santa Barbara $196
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in Santa Barbara is $196. 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 Santa Barbara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $42Santa Barbara $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $84Santa Barbara $176
Compare Hotels in Havana and Santa Barbara
Looking for a hotel in Havana or Santa Barbara? 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: Santa Barbara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19Santa Barbara $42
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Santa Barbara?
Prices for flights to both Santa Barbara 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 $18Santa Barbara $80
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11Santa Barbara $27
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 Santa Barbara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Barbara are as follows:
- Santa Barbara Downtown Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Goleta Isla Vista CA: $15
- Santa Barbara Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Santa Barbara Trolley Tour: $28
- Sanctum Sacrifice of Santa Barbara Ghost Tours: $32
- Santa Barbara Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara: $40
- Santa Barbara Narrated Coastal Yacht Experience: $42
- Santa Barbara Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- High Ropes Adventure Course near Santa Barbara: $45
- Santa Barbara Ghost Tours "Dead of the Night" History, Mystery!: $55
- Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours): $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76Santa Barbara $12
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Barbara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Santa Barbara:
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Camping$20
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Barbara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Barbara:
- Santa Barbara Craft Brewery and History Crawl: $140
- Private Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting: $150
- Santa Ynez Valley Biking and Wine Tasting Tour: $175
- Solvang Santa Ynez Valley Small Group All-Inclusive Wine Tour : $180
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country: $235
- Santa Barbara Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Estates & Wineries: $235
- Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations in Santa Barbara : $235
- Santa Ynez Wine Tour (All-Inclusive): $239
- Santa Ynez Cupcake & Wine Tour (All-Inclusive): $259
- Santa Barbara Wine Tour Experience - Authentic and Boutique : $265
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Santa Barbara, we can see that Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Santa Barbara?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Santa Barbara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Havana is a little warmer than Santa Barbara in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).
In July, Havana usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)Santa Barbara 65°F (19°C)
Should I visit Havana or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as Santa Barbara. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.
In the autumn, Havana is a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 62°F (17°C).
Havana usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)Santa Barbara 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Havana or Santa Barbara in the Winter?
Both Santa Barbara 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, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Havana is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In January, Havana usually receives less rain than Santa Barbara. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)Santa Barbara 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Havana or Santa Barbara in the Spring?
Both Santa Barbara 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, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Havana is much warmer than Santa Barbara in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
Havana usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)Santa Barbara 57°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Havana
| Havana | Santa Barbara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 65°F (19°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.