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

Should you visit Havana or Shenandoah National Park?

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 Shenandoah National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Shenandoah National Park?

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.

Shenandoah National Park

One of the most visited destinations in the eastern part of the United States, Shenandoah National Park attracts over a million people each year for its beautiful mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, and vibrant colors in the autumn months. Established in 1935, it is the largest fully protected area in the mid-Appalachian region.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Havana or Shenandoah National Park?

Shenandoah National Park 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 Shenandoah National Park in the Summer?

Both Shenandoah National Park 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Shenandoah National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Havana is around the same temperature as Shenandoah National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Shenandoah National Park fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

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

Should I visit Havana or Shenandoah National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Shenandoah National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Shenandoah National Park for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Havana is much warmer than Shenandoah National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Shenandoah National Park averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In October, Havana usually receives around the same amount of rain as Shenandoah National Park. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Havana or Shenandoah National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Havana as well as Shenandoah National Park. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Shenandoah National Park because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Shenandoah National Park can be very cold. In January, Havana is generally much warmer than Shenandoah National Park. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Shenandoah National Park fluctuates around 32°F (-0°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in January than Shenandoah National Park. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Havana or Shenandoah National Park in the Spring?

Both Shenandoah National Park 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, the natural beauty are the main draw to Shenandoah National Park this time of year.

Havana is much warmer than Shenandoah National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Shenandoah National Park fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In April, Havana usually receives less rain than Shenandoah National Park. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Shenandoah National Park receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Shenandoah National Park and Havana