Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman 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: Grand Cayman or La Serena?
Grand Cayman
When people think of the Cayman Islands, they typically think of offshore bank accounts and sunny, cruise ship ports. Grand Cayman has more to offer travelers than a playground for the wealthy or a short stopover for cruise passengers. This tropical island is the largest of the three Cayman Islands, it is a shopper's heaven, a center for global finance and an ideal vacation spot.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214La Serena $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, 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 Grand Cayman and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman 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: Grand Cayman Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31La Serena $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
- Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Grand Cayman 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 dayGrand Cayman $39La Serena $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41La Serena $24
Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman
For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $80
- Cayman Adventure: Starfish Point, Stingray City and Coral Gardens: $99
- Cayman Crystal Caves & Pedro St James Castle Tour in Grand Cayman: $179
- Cayman Crystal Caves Tour in Grand Cayman Island: $126
- Cayman's Classic Food Tasting & Cultural Experience: $179
- East End Activities and Tour in Grand Cayman: $158
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in George Town from George Town Port: $275
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in George Town from George Town Port: $262
- Grand Cayman - Bioluminescent Bay Tour: $95
- Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
- Grand Cayman Reef & Stingray City Snorkeling Adventure: $159
- West Island Guided Tour with Entry Tickets: $120
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 dayGrand Cayman $13La Serena $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:
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Beer$4.97
Sample the Local Flavors in Grand Cayman
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Grand Cayman:
- Cayman Spirits Co. Distillery Tour Pass Ticket Only: $24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and La Serena, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. And not only is La Serena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or La Serena?
La Serena has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman or La Serena?
La Serena has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Grand Cayman experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Grand Cayman or La Serena in the Summer?
Both La Serena and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.
In the summer, Grand Cayman is much warmer than La Serena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand Cayman in July average around 28°C (83°F), and La Serena averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In July, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than La Serenain January. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 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 July and JanuaryGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or La Serena in the Autumn?
Both La Serena and Grand Cayman during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Grand Cayman is generally much warmer than La Serenain April. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 27°C (81°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in October than La Serenain April. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 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 October and AprilGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or La Serena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and La Serena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.
Grand Cayman is much warmer than La Serena in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in July.
In January, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than La Serenain July. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 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 January and JulyGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or La Serena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as La Serena. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Grand Cayman is much warmer than La Serena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand Cayman in April average around 26°C (79°F), and La Serena averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.
Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in April than La Serenain October. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 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 April and OctoberGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 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.