Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Belize City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Belize City or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Belize City or La Serena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Belize City or La Serena?
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.
This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.
La Serena
La Serena is a charming town in Northern Chile. It is Chile's second-oldest city and the thriving capital of Region IV. With its beautiful architecture, its long golden shoreline, dignified stone churches, tree-shaded avenues and pretty plazas, La Serena has everything you could ask for!
Chileans on holidays flood in the city in January and February, though it is fairly peaceful outside the summer rush. Some of the city's architecture is from the colonial era, but most is actually neocolonial thanks to president Gabriel Gonzalez Videla, born in La Serena, and her 'Plan Serena' of the late 1940s.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelize City $88La Serena $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $88, while the average daily cost in La Serena is $87. 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 Belize City and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelize City $49La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelize City $98La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Belize City and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Belize City or La Serena? 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.
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: Belize City Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belize City $5.82La Serena $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
- Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
- Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
- Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $60
- Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
- Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30
- Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113
Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Belize City 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
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Food Meals for one dayBelize City $27La Serena $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City
For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Belize City $29La Serena $24
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure from Belize City: $167
- Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from Belize City: $208
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins & Zipline Tour from Belize City All Inclusive: $170
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and Belize City tour: $100
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Altun Ha, Monkey Sanctuary and Rum Factory Tour from Belize City: $170
- Belize City Tour: $40
- Belize City Tour Shore Excursion: $100
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Full Day Tour: $190
- Cave Tubing & Zipline Adventure Tour: $110
- Guided Cave Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $77
Tours and Activities in La Serena
For La Serena, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tour to the internationally renowned Pangue Observatory: $139
- Dama Island or Chañaral Navigation Tour Humboldt Penguin Reserve: $140
- Elqui Valley Full Day Tour: magical towns, pisco and mountains: $85
- Elqui Valley Grand-Tour: $189
- Elqui Valley Tour from La Serena: $120
- Elqui Valley and Vicuña Private Tour Including Lunch: $183
- Elqui Valley: Pisco Tour, Wine, Beer: $174
- Full Day History and Flavors Tour in the Elqui Valley: $50
- La Serena & Coquimbo City Tour - Short excursion for cruise ships: $128
- La Serena and Coquimbo City Tour (SIB): $66
- La Serena and Coquimbo Guided City Tour: $76
- La Serena and Coquimbo Private City Tour Including Lunch, Shore Excursion: $194
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelize City $12La Serena $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Belize City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belize City:
- Belize: City Highlights Tour with Rum Distillery Visit: $49
When comparing the travel costs between Belize City and La Serena, we can see that Belize City is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Belize City is in Central America and La Serena is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Belize City Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Belize City or La Serena?
La Serena has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Belize City. When comparing the sizes of Belize City and La Serena, 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 Belize City or La Serena?
La Serena has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Belize City experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Belize City or La Serena in the Summer?
Both La Serena and Belize City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year.
In the summer, Belize City is much warmer than La Serena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Belize City in July average around 28°C (82°F), and La Serena averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in La Serena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually receives less sunshine than La Serena during summer. Belize City gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Belize City. In July, Belize City usually receives more rain than La Serenain January. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBelize City 28°C (82°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Belize City or La Serena in the Autumn?
Both La Serena and Belize City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Belize City is generally much warmer than La Serenain April. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 26°C (80°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In the autumn, Belize City often gets more sunshine than La Serenain April. Belize City gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 159 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually gets more rain in October than La Serenain April. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBelize City 26°C (80°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Belize City or La Serena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Belize City and La Serena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round.
Belize City is much warmer than La Serena in the winter. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in July.
Belize City usually receives more sunshine than La Serena during winter. Belize City gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 160 hours of full sun in the winter.
Belize City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Belize City usually receives more rain than La Serenain July. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBelize City 24°C (74°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Belize City or La Serena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Belize City as well as La Serena. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Belize City is much warmer than La Serena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Belize City in April average around 27°C (80°F), and La Serena averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Belize City this time of the year. In the spring, Belize City often gets more sunshine than La Serenain October. Belize City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 190 hours of full sun.
Belize City usually gets more rain in April than La Serenain October. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBelize City 27°C (80°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Belize City
| Belize City | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.