A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fort-de-France vs. La Serena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fort-de-France or La Serena?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fort-de-France and La Serena can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Fort-de-France or La Serena?

Fort-de-France

As the largest city and capital of Martinique, Fort-de-France serves as the main entryway for visitors traveling to the island. It is a busy city with a significant population, which creates an atmosphere bustling with traffic amidst its historic and cultural sights.

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Fort-de-France?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Fort-de-France Prices
    Martinique Prices
    La Serena Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Fort-de-France 194
    La Serena 90

The average daily cost (per person) in Fort-de-France is €194, while the average daily cost in La Serena is €90. 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 Fort-de-France and La Serena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fort-de-France 79
    La Serena 36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fort-de-France 158
    La Serena 72
Compare Hotels in Fort-de-France and La Serena

Looking for a hotel in Fort-de-France 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.

Hotels in Fort-de-France


Hotels in La Serena


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: Fort-de-France Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fort-de-France 16
    La Serena 17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort-de-France

Also for Fort-de-France, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Fort de France Port to Martinique Airport (FDF): $77
  • Private Transfer from Fort de France to Fort de France Port: $77
  • Private Transfer from Fort de France Port to Fort de France: $77
  • Private Transfer Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France Port: $77
  • Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France - Arrival Transfer: $69
  • Fort de France to Martinique Airport (FDF) - Departure Transfer: $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Fort-de-France or La Serena?

Prices for flights to both La Serena and Fort-de-France 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Fort-de-France 100
    La Serena 39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort-de-France

For Fort-de-France, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Food tour in the rainforest and St Pierre - Pile et Face: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fort-de-France 31
    La Serena 20

Tours and Activities in Fort-de-France

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fort-de-France.

  • Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
  • Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour: $71
  • Fort-de-France Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $26
  • Glide into adventure: Hiking and natural slides: $182
  • Habitation Clement - entrance ticket: $15
  • Half-Day Nature and Panorama Tour in Martinique: $108
  • Karaib Tour: $66
  • Mangrove Guided Tour: $43
  • Martinique Shore Excursion - Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
  • Martinique Shore Excursion - Unmissable Martinique North tour: $75
  • Martinique: Coral and Turtle Coves Cruise: $84
  • Martinique: Private Tour with Local Guide: $176

Tours and Activities in La Serena

For La Serena, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Astronomical Tour Collowara Observatory: $64
  • Astronomy and Astrophotography Tour: $55
  • Charm Valley Archaeological Tour, Shamanism and Petroglyphs: $175
  • Dama Island or Chañaral Navigation Tour Humboldt Penguin Reserve: $165
  • Elqui Valley Tour from La Serena: $85
  • Elqui Valley Tour: Full Day History and Flavors : $42
  • Elqui Valley: Pisco Tour, Wine, Beer: $174
  • Grand Tour Valley of Elqui Mystic Mountains and Cultural Treasures: $115
  • La Serena and Coquimbo City Tour (SIB): $66
  • La Serena and Coquimbo Guided City Tour: $76
  • Full day Tour to Elqui Valley : $110
  • Milky Way Sanctuary Stargazing Tour at Pangue Observatory: $225

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fort-de-France 10
    La Serena 19

Sample the Local Flavors in Fort-de-France

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort-de-France:

  • Small-Group Tour: Unmissable Martinique with Rum Distillery, Ruins, and More: $75
  • North Tour: rainforest, rum distillery, black sand beach etc: $120


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fort-de-France and La Serena, we can see that Fort-de-France is more expensive. And not only is La Serena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fort-de-France is in Caribbean Islands and La Serena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to La Serena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Serena 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 Fort-de-France would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fort-de-France than you might in La Serena.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fort-de-France Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Fort-de-France or La Serena?

La Serena has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Fort-de-France. When comparing the sizes of Fort-de-France 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.