Which place is cheaper, Santa Monica 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 Monica?
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 Monica can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Santa Monica?
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 Monica
When it comes to visiting Los Angeles, Santa Monica is high on the must-see-and-do list. Chances are you'll recognize the iconic ferris wheel from Pacific Park in films and TV shows, and nothing beats the relaxed yet bustling vibe of this laid-back city.
Santa Monica is a popular and diverse beach town, cultural hub, fitness venue, shopping district, and neighborhood full of unique and trendy restaurants, all rolled into one. Visited by more than 6 million people a year, it's no wonder you'll always find a crowd there.
So whether you're up for a high-end shopping spree, bicycling down the waterfront, an eclectic food crawl or simply a stroll down the promenade, Santa Monica is sure to have something in store for you.
The weather in Santa Monica is moderate, with average summer highs in the low to mid 70s and winter climate that rests comfortably around the low 50s. Though flip flops and sandals are considered year-round footwear in Los Angeles, bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing galleries, malls, and boutiques. Santa Monica is the perfect place to break out your California-casual wardrobe.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.
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Havana Prices
Cuba PricesSanta Monica Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $74Santa Monica $248
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in Santa Monica is $248. 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 Monica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $42Santa Monica $123
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $84Santa Monica $246
Compare Hotels in Havana and Santa Monica
Looking for a hotel in Havana or Santa Monica? 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 Monica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19Santa Monica $50
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 Santa Monica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $191
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Santa Monica?
Prices for flights to both Santa Monica 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 Monica $91
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 Santa Monica
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Monica.
- City Cruises Los Angeles Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $132
- Romantic-Surprise Dinner-Wine & Cheese or Sushi Boat Cruise: $149
- Gourmet Santa Monica Walking Food Tour with Delicious Dish: $159
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11Santa Monica $38
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 Monica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:
- Santa Monica Superhero Exploration Game and Tour: $5.96
- Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Santa Monica Sinister Sins & Sorrow Ghost Tour: $26
- Santa Monica Art Museum: General Admission Ticket: $28
- LA & Self-Guided Aerospace Legacy Audio Tour: $30
- Highway 1 Pacific Coast Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $30
- Santa Monica Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Home Tour: $49
- 3 ½-Hour Sea to the Stars Hollywood Hopper Tour: $55
- Hollywood Tour with Walk of Fame Stop: $55
- Venice Beach and Santa Monica eBike Tour : $56
- Best of LA Tour with 3 Iconic Stops: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76Santa Monica $21
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Monica
Also in Santa Monica, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Santa Monica Bar Crawl: $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Monica 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 Monica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Monica 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 Monica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Santa Monica?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Santa Monica, 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 Monica?
Santa Monica 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 Monica in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Santa Monica. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Havana is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
In July, Havana usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)Santa Monica 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Havana or Santa Monica in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as Santa Monica. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.
Havana is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).
Havana usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)Santa Monica 67°F (20°C)
Should I visit Havana or Santa Monica in the Winter?
Both Santa Monica 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 Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Havana is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Havana in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Santa Monica averages at about 57°F (14°C).
In January, Havana usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)Santa Monica 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Havana or Santa Monica in the Spring?
Both Santa Monica 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. Also, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the spring for the beaches.
In April, Havana is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 24°C (75°F), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
Havana usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)Santa Monica 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Havana
| Havana | Santa Monica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.6 inches (15 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.