Comparison · Havana vs Key West · Cuba / United States
Havana vs Key West
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: RenaatPeeters, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Havana for Old Havana, Malecón, lower day-to-day costs and free sights; choose Key West for Mallory Square sunset and Ernest Hemingway. Havana is generally less expensive, and the two are about 171 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 171 km
- Less expensive
- Havana
- Best time for Havana
- November–April
- Best time for Key West
- December–May
Side by side
| Havana | Key West | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Cuba | United States |
| Known for | Old Havana, Malecón and Classic American cars | Mallory Square sunset, Ernest Hemingway and Duval Street |
| Best time to visit | November–April | December–May |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $110–$220 | $320–$520 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 26°C (79°F) | January, 24°C (75°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 5 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | Santa María del Mar | Fort Zachary Taylor beach |
| Airports | HAV | EYW |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Havana for…
Old Havana, Malecón, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. 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…
Choose Key West for…
Mallory Square sunset and Ernest Hemingway. Key West is a small coral island at the end of the Overseas Highway, about 250 km from Miami and closer to Havana than to most of Florida. Old Town — Duval Street, Bahama Village and the harbour — is about 3 km across, so visitors get around by bike, on foot…
Top sights compared
| # | Havana | Key West |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plaza de la Catedral and Havana Cathedral | Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum |
| 2 | Plaza de Armas | Mallory Square Sunset Celebration |
| 3 | Plaza Vieja | Duval Street |
| 4 | Plaza de San Francisco de Asís | Southernmost Point buoy |
| 5 | El Capitolio | Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park |
Food compared
| Havana | Key West |
|---|---|
| Ropa vieja | Key lime pie |
| Moros y cristianos | Conch fritters |
| Lechón asado | Key West pink shrimp |
| Yuca con mojo | Cuban sandwich |
Which is cheaper?
Havana is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $110–$220 per person there, against $320–$520 in Key West (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Havana on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Havana and Key West are about 171 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Havana and 4 in Key West.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Havana or Key West cheaper?
Havana is usually less expensive: about $110–$220 a day mid-range against $320–$520 (estimates).
+Is Havana or Key West better for a first trip?
Pick Havana for Old Havana, Malecón, lower day-to-day costs and free sights, or Key West for Mallory Square sunset and Ernest Hemingway.
+How far is Havana from Key West?
About 171 km in a straight line.