Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Granada?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Granada or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Granada and La Serena. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Granada or La Serena?
Granada
Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGranada $40La Serena $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is $40, 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 Granada and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGranada $17La Serena $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGranada $34La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Granada and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Granada 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: Granada Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Granada $8.57La Serena $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Granada 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 dayGranada $14La Serena $27
Typical Food Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:
-
Pizza$2.29
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Granada $10La Serena $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:
-
Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour$8.17
Tours and Activities in Granada
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:
- Bird Watching Tour: $90
- Boat Tour and Granada City Tour: $120
- Charming Granada Outdoor "Private Tour" : $92
- Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65
- Fabulous Night Tour in Masaya Volcano from Granada: $158
- From Full-Day Tour to 6 Attractions with Lunch incl: $125
- Full Day Tour Isletas + Pueblos Blancos + Laguna from Granada: $120
- Full Day Tour in Granada with Volcano Visit: $224
- Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
- Granada City Tour: $40
- Granada Colonial City Tour and Masaya Volcano: $130
- Granada Kayak Tour: $30
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGranada $7.50La Serena $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:
-
Tequila$1.36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and La Serena, we can see that La Serena is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Granada is in Central America 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 Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Granada.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Granada Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Granada or La Serena?
La Serena has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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 Granada or La Serena?
La Serena has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Granada experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Granada or La Serena in the Summer?
Both La Serena and Granada during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Granada is much warmer than La Serena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 27°C (81°F), and La Serena averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.
In La Serena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Granada often gets less sunshine than La Serenain January. Granada gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 247 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually gets more rain in July than La Serenain January. Granada gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryGranada 27°C (81°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Granada or La Serena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and La Serena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round.
In October, Granada is generally much warmer than La Serenain April. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 27°C (81°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Granada usually receives more sunshine than La Serena during autumn. Granada gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Granada gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Granada usually receives more rain than La Serenain April. Granada gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilGranada 27°C (81°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Granada or La Serena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Granada as well as La Serena. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Granada is much warmer than La Serena in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than La Serenain July. Granada gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 160 hours of full sun.
Granada usually gets more rain in January than La Serenain July. Granada gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyGranada 26°C (79°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Granada or La Serena in the Spring?
Both La Serena and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year.
In the spring, Granada is much warmer than La Serena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 29°C (84°F), and La Serena averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than La Serena during spring. Granada gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 190 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Granada usually receives more rain than La Serenain October. Granada gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberGranada 29°C (84°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Granada
| Granada | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.