Havana
Cuba
Miami
United States
Havana
Miami
π° Budget
π‘οΈ Safety
Havana
Cuba is generally one of the safest countries in Latin America. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main annoyances are persistent jineteros (hustlers) offering everything from cigars to restaurant recommendations on commission.
Miami
Most tourist areas of Miami β South Beach, Wynwood, the Design District, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne β are safe for visitors. Petty theft, car break-ins, and pickpocketing are the main concerns. Some neighborhoods north and west of downtown have higher crime and tourists have no reason to go there. Spring break season (March) and major events bring rowdy crowds to South Beach.
β Ratings
π€οΈ Weather
Havana
Havana has a tropical climate with a dry season (November-April) and a wet season (May-October). Temperatures are warm year-round. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with September and October being the highest-risk months.
Miami
Miami has a tropical monsoon climate β warm to hot year-round, with a distinct wet season (May-October) and dry season (November-April). Ocean breezes moderate coastal temperatures. The "dry season" is the peak tourist season with near-perfect weather, while summer brings heat, humidity, and thunderstorms.
π Getting Around
Havana
Havana's transport is a fascinating mix of vintage American cars, Chinese buses, coconut-shaped taxis, and horse-drawn carts. There's no ride-hailing app that works reliably. Getting around requires a mix of walking, negotiating with taxi drivers, and patience.
Walkability: Old Havana, Centro Habana, and the Malecon are all walkable, though sidewalks are uneven and sometimes missing. The 3-4 km walk from Habana Vieja to Vedado along the Malecon is one of the great urban walks. Beyond central areas, distances become too large for walking.
Miami
Miami is a sprawling, car-centric city. Public transit exists but is limited compared to New York or Chicago β the Metrorail runs a single main corridor, the Metromover is a free downtown people-mover, and buses fill gaps. Rideshare is extremely popular, and many visitors rent cars to reach the Everglades, the Keys, or Fort Lauderdale.
Walkability: South Beach is very walkable β tight grid, flat, with Lincoln Road pedestrianized and Ocean Drive full of life. Wynwood, the Design District, and Coconut Grove are also walkable neighborhood-scale. Between neighborhoods, however, distances are long and rideshare is usually necessary. Avoid walking across causeways.
The Verdict
Choose Havana if...
you want a time-warp to 1959 β vintage Chevys on the MalecΓ³n, Old Havana plazas, rum mojitos, son cubano clubs, and crumbling colonial grandeur
Choose Miami if...
you want Art Deco beaches, Cuban cafecito, Wynwood street art, legendary nightlife, and day trips to the Keys or Everglades