Comparison · Cartagena vs Havana · Colombia / Cuba
Cartagena vs Havana
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sgonzalezb, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Cartagena for Walled colonial city and Castillo San Felipe; choose Havana for Old Havana and Malecón. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 1,593 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,593 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Cartagena
- February–April
- Best time for Havana
- November–April
Side by side
| Cartagena | Havana | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Colombia | Cuba |
| Known for | Walled colonial city, Castillo San Felipe and Colourful balconies | Old Havana, Malecón and Classic American cars |
| Best time to visit | February–April | November–April |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $110–$200 | $110–$220 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | April, 32°C (90°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 31°C (88°F) | January, 26°C (79°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | Playa Blanca, Barú | Santa María del Mar |
| Airports | CTG | HAV |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cartagena for…
Walled colonial city and Castillo San Felipe. Cartagena de Indias was one of Spain's main ports in the Americas, and its old town is still enclosed by about 11 km of stone walls. Inside, the El Centro and San Diego quarters are a grid of bougainvillea-draped balconies, churches and plazas, while…
Choose Havana for…
Old Havana and Malecón. Havana, Cuba's capital, spreads west from a sheltered harbour along the Caribbean coast. Old Havana (Habana Vieja), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its fortifications, holds four restored colonial plazas, baroque churches and pastel mansions; Centro…
Top sights compared
| # | Cartagena | Havana |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The walled city | Plaza de la Catedral and Havana Cathedral |
| 2 | City walls and bastions | Plaza de Armas |
| 3 | Castillo San Felipe de Barajas | Plaza Vieja |
| 4 | Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad | Plaza de San Francisco de Asís |
| 5 | Plaza Santo Domingo | El Capitolio |
Food compared
| Cartagena | Havana |
|---|---|
| Arepa de huevo | Ropa vieja |
| Carimañola | Moros y cristianos |
| Fried fish with coconut rice | Lechón asado |
| Cazuela de mariscos | Yuca con mojo |
Which is cheaper?
Cartagena and Havana cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $110–$200 in Cartagena and $110–$220 in Havana (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cartagena on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,593 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 10 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cartagena or Havana cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $110–$200 in Cartagena and $110–$220 in Havana (estimates).
+Is Cartagena or Havana better for a first trip?
Pick Cartagena for Walled colonial city and Castillo San Felipe, or Havana for Old Havana and Malecón.
+How far is Cartagena from Havana?
About 1,593 km in a straight line.