Which city is cheaper, La Serena or Colonia del Sacramento?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Colonia del Sacramento vs. La Serena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Colonia del Sacramento and La Serena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or La Serena?
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento is in the Rio de la Plata region of Uruguay. It is filled with old colonial buildings and cobbled streets, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Colonia del Sacramento was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish Viceroyalty of the River Plate, later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. Its strategic position and use as a smuggling port meant that its sovereignty was constantly contested and the city changed hands several times between Spain and Portugal. The irresistibly picturesque town's charm and its proximity to Buenos Aires draw thousands of Argentine and other visitors on weekends and in summer. Prices rise in these periods and it can be difficult to find a room so make sure to book your trip well in advance.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColonia del Sacramento $52La Serena $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $52, while the average daily cost in La Serena is $79. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Colonia del Sacramento and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColonia del Sacramento $27La Serena $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColonia del Sacramento $54La Serena $76
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento 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: Colonia del Sacramento Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $13La Serena $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento
Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer: $15
- Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Serena
Also for La Serena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer: from La Serena to La Florida Airport (LSC): $26
- Private Airport Transfer: La Florida Airport (LSC) to La Serena: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Colonia del Sacramento 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 dayColonia del Sacramento $15La Serena $24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $18La Serena $21
Tours and Activities in Colonia del Sacramento
For Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Colonia Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour: $26
- Colonia del Sacramento City Tour: $63
- From Buenos Aires: Colonia Ferry Tickets and Optional Tour: $81
- Full Day Birdwatching and Nature Tour: $200
- Half day city tour in Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay: $65
- Half day city tour in Montevideo: $52
Tours and Activities in La Serena
For La Serena, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Elqui Valley Spanish Tour from La Serena: $160
- Elqui Valley and Vicuña Private Tour Including Lunch: $263
- La Serena and Coquimbo Private City Tour Including Lunch and Archeological Museum: $269
- Full day Tour to Elqui Valley: $90
- Valle de Elqui Fullday Tour: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColonia del Sacramento $4.52La Serena $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and La Serena, we can see that La Serena is more expensive. And not only is Colonia del Sacramento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Colonia del Sacramento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento.
When is the best time to visit Colonia del Sacramento or La Serena?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or La Serena in the Summer?
Both La Serena and Colonia del Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Colonia del Sacramento is a little warmer than La Serena in the summer. The temperature in Colonia del Sacramento is usually 25°C (77°F) in January, and La Serena stays around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in La Serena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Colonia del Sacramento. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than La Serena during summer. Colonia del Sacramento gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more rain than La Serena. Colonia del Sacramento gets 85 mm (3.3 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 JanuaryColonia del Sacramento 25°C (77°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or La Serena in the Autumn?
Both La Serena and Colonia del Sacramento during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Colonia del Sacramento is a little warmer than La Serena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in April are around 18°C (65°F), and La Serena is about 15°C (59°F).
In the autumn, Colonia del Sacramento often gets more sunshine than La Serena. Colonia del Sacramento gets 183 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 Colonia del Sacramento. Colonia del Sacramento usually gets more rain in April than La Serena. Colonia del Sacramento gets 100 mm (3.9 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 AprilColonia del Sacramento 18°C (65°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or La Serena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Colonia del Sacramento and La Serena.
In July, Colonia del Sacramento is generally around the same temperature as La Serena. Temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 12°C (53°F), and La Serena stays around 12°C (54°F).
Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less sunshine than La Serena during winter. Colonia del Sacramento gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 160 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more rain than La Serena. Colonia del Sacramento gets 78 mm (3.1 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 JulyColonia del Sacramento 12°C (53°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or La Serena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Colonia del Sacramento as well as La Serena.
Colonia del Sacramento is a little warmer than La Serena in the spring. The temperature in Colonia del Sacramento is usually 18°C (64°F) in October, and La Serena stays around 14°C (57°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Colonia del Sacramento this time of the year. In the spring, Colonia del Sacramento often gets more sunshine than La Serena. Colonia del Sacramento gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 190 hours of full sun.
Colonia del Sacramento receives a lot of rain in the spring. Colonia del Sacramento usually gets more rain in October than La Serena. Colonia del Sacramento gets 118 mm (4.6 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 OctoberColonia del Sacramento 18°C (64°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Colonia del Sacramento
| Colonia del Sacramento | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
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