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

Should you visit Havana or Victoria?

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

Where Should I go: Havana or Victoria?

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.

Victoria

The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Havana?

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

  • Havana Prices
    Cuba Prices
    Victoria Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Havana $74
    Victoria $201

The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $201. 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 Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $42
    Victoria $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $84
    Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Havana and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Victoria? 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 Victoria


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: Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Victoria $37
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 Victoria

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

  • Private Transfer from Victoria City Hotels to Nanaimo Cruise Port: $130
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $77
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $91
  • Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $75
  • Victoria to Vancouver Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way: $289
  • Private Cruise Transfer with City Sightseeing Tour: $682

Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria 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
    Victoria $47
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 Victoria

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

  • Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $86
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $88
  • Vistas and Views Food Tour with 3-Course Meal: $100
  • Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $144
  • Gourmet Dinner Tour Including Local Beer, Wine and City Highlights: $219

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    Victoria $45

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 Victoria

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

  • Tips-Based City Highlights Walking Tour | 2.5-Hour: $5.02
  • Butterfly Gardens Admission Ticket: $15
  • Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $15
  • Iconic & Obscure Victoria Walking Tour: $16
  • Walking Tour through History and Heritage: $17
  • Ghost Tour of Old Town and Bastion Square: $17
  • Halloween Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $17
  • Royal B.C. Museum in Full-Day Admission Ticket: $21
  • Axe Throwing Experience: $24
  • Heritage Horse-Drawn Carriage Experience in Victoria: $26
  • Malahat SkyWalk Tickets: $32
  • Upper Gorge Waterway Paddle Boarding Tour: $36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Victoria $16
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 Victoria

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

  • Victoria BC: Tour & Tasting Around Award Winning Distillery: $21
  • Pickle Pub Crawl: Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $52
  • Local Brewery Tour with a Guide: $86
  • Victoria, BC: Food & Wine Tour to the Cowichan Valley: $118
  • 6-Hour Victoria to Cowichan Wine Tour: $126
  • Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $132
  • Private Saanich Peninsula Wine Tour : $143
  • Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $474


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


Which is Bigger, Havana or Victoria?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Victoria. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Victoria, 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 Victoria?

Victoria 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 Victoria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Havana as well as Victoria. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Victoria for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Havana is much warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Havana usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Havana or Victoria in the Autumn?

Both Victoria 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 autumn months attract visitors to Victoria because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Havana is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In October, Havana usually receives more rain than Victoria. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Havana or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria 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, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.

It's quite cold in Victoria in the winter. In January, Havana is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Victoria gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Havana usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Havana or Victoria in the Spring?

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

Havana is much warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Havana usually receives less rain than Victoria. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Havana 24°C (75°F) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Havana

Havana Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)