Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Cordoba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cordoba or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cordoba 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: Cordoba or La Serena?
Cordoba
Cordoba is the capital of the Cordoba province and the second largest city in all of Argentina. The city is in a beautiful setting surrounded by valleys and hills. Within the city you will find many colonial buildings and beautiful architecture. Cordoba also has many universities and scientific institutes, giving it the nickname "La Docta." Because of the large number of students, Cordoba's population is young and active, which keeps the atmosphere light and fun.
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 Adventure Tours to Argentina, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCordoba $8.26La Serena $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Cordoba is $8.26, while the average daily cost in La Serena is $88. 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 Cordoba and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCordoba $3.00La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCordoba $6.00La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Cordoba and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Cordoba 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: Cordoba Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cordoba $2.04La Serena $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cordoba
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cordoba are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cordoba
Also for Cordoba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private minivan from Cordoba to Ingeniero Ambrosio Taravella Airport: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Cordoba or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Cordoba 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 dayCordoba $3.77La Serena $27
Typical Food Prices in Cordoba
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cordoba:
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Empanadas$0.01
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Sandwich$0.00
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Ice Cream$0.00
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cordoba $1.85La Serena $24
Tours and Activities in Cordoba
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cordoba.
- Alta Gracia: Unveiling Cordoba's Cultural Heritage Tour: $55
- Córdoba CityTour FULLDAY x 2 pax: $60
- Córdoba: Villa Carlos Paz Tour: $74
- Caroya WineTour x 2 Pax: $60
- Cordoba City Tour: $50
- Cordoba City Tour with Optional Jesuitic Square: $69
- Cordoba Cumbrecita Tour with Spanish Speaking Guide: $103
- Cordoba Jesuit Legacy Tour: $101
- Cumbrecita Tour: $103
- El Inicio WineTour x 2 Pax (History and Wines): $85
- Exploring Villa Carlos Paz: Guided Sightseeing Tour: $60
- Full Day Jesuit Legacy Tour from Cordoba: $96
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 dayCordoba $1.46La Serena $23
Sample the Local Flavors in Cordoba
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cordoba:
- Full-Day Private Colonia Caroya Wine Tour from Córdoba: $121
- Wine Tour Privado - Colonia Caroya: $130
- Wine Tour Privado - Calamuchita: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cordoba and La Serena, we can see that La Serena is more expensive. And not only is Cordoba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cordoba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cordoba 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 Cordoba.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cordoba Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cordoba or La Serena?
Cordoba has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of Cordoba 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 Cordoba 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 Cordoba or La Serena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cordoba and La Serena.
Cordoba is much colder than La Serena in the summer. The daily temperature in Cordoba averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and La Serena fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Serena this time of the year. In Cordoba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cordoba usually receives more sunshine than La Serena during summer. Cordoba gets 277 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Cordoba usually receives more rain than La Serena. Cordoba gets 60 mm (2.4 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 JanuaryCordoba 10°C (50°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Cordoba or La Serena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cordoba as well as La Serena.
In the autumn, Cordoba is around the same temperature as La Serena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cordoba in April average around 16°C (61°F), and La Serena averages at about 15°C (59°F).
In the autumn, Cordoba often gets more sunshine than La Serena. Cordoba gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 159 hours of full sun.
Cordoba usually gets more rain in April than La Serena. Cordoba gets 50 mm (2 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 AprilCordoba 16°C (61°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Cordoba or La Serena in the Winter?
Both La Serena and Cordoba are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In July, Cordoba is generally much warmer than La Serena. Daily temperatures in Cordoba average around 27°C (81°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Cordoba usually receives more sunshine than La Serena during winter. Cordoba gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 160 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Cordoba usually receives more rain than La Serena. Cordoba gets 10 mm (0.4 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 JulyCordoba 27°C (81°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Cordoba or La Serena in the Spring?
Both La Serena and Cordoba during the spring are popular places to visit.
Cordoba is a little warmer than La Serena in the spring. The daily temperature in Cordoba averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and La Serena fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It's quite sunny in Cordoba. In the spring, Cordoba often gets more sunshine than La Serena. Cordoba gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 190 hours of full sun.
Cordoba usually gets more rain in October than La Serena. Cordoba gets 60 mm (2.4 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 OctoberCordoba 19°C (66°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Cordoba
| Cordoba | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (52°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 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.