Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Foz do Iguacu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu 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: Foz do Iguacu or La Serena?
Foz do Iguacu
Foz do Iguacu is a larger city in Brazil that is most famous for the Iguacu Falls. The city serves as an entry point for Paraguay and Argentina as well. The obvious reason to visit the city is to see the beautiful falls, and together with Ciudad del Este, Paraguay and Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, it makes up one of the largest tourism sights in South America.
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 Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFoz do Iguacu $66La Serena $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $66, 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 Foz do Iguacu and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFoz do Iguacu $29La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFoz do Iguacu $58La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu 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: Foz do Iguacu Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Foz do Iguacu $13La Serena $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
- Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
- Transfer Cataratas Argentina: $19
- Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $140
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $48
- Private transfer from Foz do Iguaçu airport and bus station: $22
- Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $131
- IGU Airport Transfers: $17
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Foz do Iguacu 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 dayFoz do Iguacu $22La Serena $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Foz do Iguacu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Foz do Iguacu.
- Official Entrance: Dinner with Latin American Show at Rafain Steakhouse: $50
- Transport to Acaray Casino + dinner (optional): $100
- Dinner Show - Rafain Steakhouse : $100
- Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu: $113
- Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Belmond Hotel Cataratas : $135
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Foz do Iguacu $24La Serena $24
Tours and Activities in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few actual costs in Foz do Iguacu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days Private Tour Argentinean & Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls: $166
- 2-Day Private Tour Iguaçu Falls Brazil and Argentina: $224
- 2-Day Private Tour to Argentina and Brazil Falls: $110
- 2-Days Private Brasil & Argentina Iguassu Falls Experience : $129
- Airport IGU Round Trip & Iguassu Falls Argentinean side & Great Adventure: $295
- Argentina Bike Experience: Interact with indigenous communities: $88
- Argentinean Side Iguassu Falls - Private Tour: $120
- Argentinian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $102
- Bird Park Tour: $25
- Brazilian Side of the Falls and Boat Tour Macuco Safari - All Tickets Included: $216
- City Tour Puerto Iguazú Hoteis de Foz do Iguaçu: $95
- City Tour in Iguassu - Private Tour: $60
Tours and Activities in La Serena
For La Serena, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full Day History and Flavors Tour in the Elqui Valley: $50
- La Serena and Coquimbo City Tour (SIB): $66
- La Serena and Coquimbo Guided City Tour: $76
- Full day Tour to Elqui Valley : $80
- Elqui Valley Full Day Tour: magical towns, pisco and mountains: $85
- Elqui Valley Tour from La Serena: $120
- La Serena & Coquimbo City Tour - Short excursion for cruise ships: $128
- Tour to the internationally renowned Pangue Observatory: $139
- Tour to Valle del Encanto Archeology, Petroglyphs, Flora, Fauna and Springs: $140
- Dama Island or Chañaral Navigation Tour Humboldt Penguin Reserve: $140
- Elqui Valley: Pisco Tour, Wine, Beer: $174
- Elqui Valley and Vicuña Private Tour Including Lunch: $183
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFoz do Iguacu $12La Serena $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Foz do Iguacu from other travelers:
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Beer$0.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Foz do Iguacu and La Serena, we can see that La Serena is more expensive. And not only is Foz do Iguacu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Foz do Iguacu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Foz do Iguacu Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or La Serena?
Foz do Iguacu has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or La Serena?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or La Serena in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Foz do Iguacu as well as La Serena.
In January, Foz do Iguacu is generally a little warmer than La Serena. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 27°C (81°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Foz do Iguacu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Foz do Iguacu usually gets more rain in January than La Serena. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryFoz do Iguacu 27°C (81°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or La Serena in the Autumn?
Both La Serena and Foz do Iguacu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
Foz do Iguacu is much warmer than La Serena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and La Serena fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In April, Foz do Iguacu usually receives more rain than La Serena. Foz do Iguacu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilFoz do Iguacu 23°C (73°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or La Serena in the Winter?
Both La Serena and Foz do Iguacu during the winter are popular places to visit.
In the winter, Foz do Iguacu is a little warmer than La Serena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in July average around 18°C (64°F), and La Serena averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Foz do Iguacu usually gets more rain in July than La Serena. Foz do Iguacu 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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Winter Average Temperatures JulyFoz do Iguacu 18°C (64°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or La Serena in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Foz do Iguacu and La Serena.
In October, Foz do Iguacu is generally much warmer than La Serena. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 24°C (75°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Foz do Iguacu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Foz do Iguacu usually receives more rain than La Serena. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberFoz do Iguacu 24°C (75°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Foz do Iguacu
| Foz do Iguacu | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.