Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Bogota?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bogota or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Bogota or La Serena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Bogota or La Serena?
Bogota
Sprawling across a high altitude in the Columbian Andes region, Bogota is the capital city of Columbia. It is a mix of the old and new with century-old plazas and churches shadowed by towering skyscrapers, museums representing the history, art, and culture of the region, as well as a mix of distinct neighborhoods from quaint and historic to trendy and contemporary.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBogota $53La Serena $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Bogota is $53, 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 Bogota and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBogota $26La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBogota $52La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Bogota and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Bogota 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: Bogota Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bogota $8.77La Serena $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bogota are as follows:
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Taxi from Airport$7.56
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Taxi Ride$0.39
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2 Bus Passes$0.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bogota
Also for Bogota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private SUV from Bogota City - Bogota Airport (BOG): $18
- Transfer from El Dorado Airport to Hotels in Bogota (one way): $15
- Salt Cathedral Zipaquira • Premium Private Transfer: $39
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Bogota City Airport (BOG) - Bogota City: $40
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Bogota Airport (BOG)-Bogota City: $36
- Private Visit to Zipaquira's Town & Salt Cathedral + In&Out Transfer + (6 hours): $176
- Private Transfer from Bogotá-El Dorado (BOG) Airport to Bogotá City: $33
- Private Transfer El Dorado Airport to Hotels in Bogotá: $20
- Private Salt Cathedral and Nemocón Salt Mines + In & out Transfer + (8 hours): $242
- Private Bogota Airport drop-off Transfer: $59
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: El Dorado Airport (One Way): $13
- Layover Bogotá Private Tour + Transfer in & Out (4 Hrs.) : $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Bogota or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Bogota 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 dayBogota $14La Serena $27
Typical Food Prices in Bogota
For Bogota, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$1.57
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Hot Dog$0.92
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bogota
For Bogota, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Peruvian cooking workshop: $26
- Bogotá Bites: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $45
- Viejo Bogota Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $49
- Food Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $55
- Bogota Food Tour • Private Car • Fruits Cacao Lunch Coffee Beer: $59
- Bogotá Food Tour - La Candelaria: $61
- Private Colombian Cooking Class and Market Tour In Bogota: $90
- Dinner and party at Andres Carne de Res DC: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bogota $13La Serena $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bogota's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Beer$1.31
Tours and Activities in Bogota
For Bogota, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Bogotá Architecture Private Tour (6 Hrs.): $149
- Bogota Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Private Tour + Lunch: $80
- Express Salt Cathedral Tour• Guided Tour & Tickets • 5h: $219
- La Candelaria and Monserrate Walking Half Day Tour: $234
- *Private tour* to Guatavita sacred lagoon + Nemocon salt mine: $152
- 2 Day Tour in Barichara: $220
- 3 Day Desert of the Tatacoa, an unforgettable experience closer to the stars: $299
- 3 Hour Road Bike Shared Tour in Bogota: $80
- 3 days- private tour Chingaza-Guatavita Savannah Expedition: $60
- 3-4 Hours Tour in flight connection: $180
- 4 Hour Bogota Bike Tour: $36
- 4-Hours E-Bike Tour in Bogotá City, Colombia: $48
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 dayBogota $14La Serena $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Bogota
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bogota:
- Thursday Bar Crawl in Bogotá: $25
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Bogotá : $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bogota and La Serena, we can see that La Serena is more expensive. And not only is Bogota much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bogota would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bogota and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in La Serena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Serena than you might in Bogota.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bogota Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bogota or La Serena?
Bogota has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of Bogota 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 Bogota or La Serena?
La Serena has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bogota experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bogota or La Serena in the Summer?
Both La Serena and Bogota are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bogota throughout the year.
Bogota is cooler than La Serena in the summer. The daily temperature in Bogota averages around 14°C (57°F) in July, and La Serena fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.
In July, Bogota usually receives more rain than La Serenain January. Bogota gets 40 mm (1.6 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 JanuaryBogota 14°C (57°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Bogota or La Serena in the Autumn?
Both La Serena and Bogota during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bogota because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Bogota is around the same temperature as La Serena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bogota in October average around 14°C (57°F), and La Serena averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bogota. Bogota usually gets more rain in October than La Serenain April. Bogota gets 110 mm (4.3 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 AprilBogota 14°C (57°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Bogota or La Serena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bogota and La Serena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bogota year-round.
In January, Bogota is generally a little warmer than La Serenain July. Daily temperatures in Bogota average around 14°C (57°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In January, Bogota usually receives more rain than La Serenain July. Bogota gets 30 mm (1.2 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 JulyBogota 14°C (57°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Bogota or La Serena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bogota as well as La Serena. Bogota attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Bogota is around the same temperature as La Serena in the spring. The daily temperature in Bogota averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and La Serena fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.
Bogota usually gets more rain in April than La Serenain October. Bogota gets 90 mm (3.5 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 OctoberBogota 15°C (59°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Bogota
| Bogota | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 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.