Comparison · Havana vs San Juan · Cuba / Puerto Rico
Havana vs San Juan
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 and lower day-to-day costs; choose San Juan for El Morro and Old San Juan. Havana is generally less expensive, and the two are about 1,766 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,766 km
- Less expensive
- Havana
- Best time for Havana
- November–April
- Best time for San Juan
- December–April
Side by side
| Havana | San Juan | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Cuba | Puerto Rico |
| Known for | Old Havana, Malecón and Classic American cars | El Morro, Old San Juan and Mofongo |
| Best time to visit | November–April | December–April |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $110–$220 | $220–$370 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | June, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 26°C (79°F) | January, 28°C (82°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Beaches | Santa María del Mar | Isla Verde Beach |
| Airports | HAV | SJU |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Havana for…
Old Havana, Malecón and lower day-to-day costs. 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 San Juan for…
El Morro and Old San Juan. San Juan, founded by the Spanish in 1521, is one of the oldest European-founded cities in the Americas. Its walled old town sits on an islet guarded by the massive forts of El Morro and San Cristóbal, with pastel colonial houses along streets paved in…
Top sights compared
| # | Havana | San Juan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plaza de la Catedral and Havana Cathedral | Castillo San Felipe del Morro |
| 2 | Plaza de Armas | Castillo San Cristóbal |
| 3 | Plaza Vieja | Old San Juan streets and plazas |
| 4 | Plaza de San Francisco de Asís | Paseo de la Princesa and Paseo del Morro |
| 5 | El Capitolio | La Fortaleza |
Food compared
| Havana | San Juan |
|---|---|
| Ropa vieja | Mofongo |
| Moros y cristianos | Lechón asado |
| Lechón asado | Arroz con gandules |
| Yuca con mojo | Alcapurrias |
Which is cheaper?
Havana is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $110–$220 per person there, against $220–$370 in San Juan (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Havana on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,766 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 10 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Havana or San Juan cheaper?
Havana is usually less expensive: about $110–$220 a day mid-range against $220–$370 (estimates).
+Is Havana or San Juan better for a first trip?
Pick Havana for Old Havana, Malecón and lower day-to-day costs, or San Juan for El Morro and Old San Juan.
+How far is Havana from San Juan?
About 1,766 km in a straight line.