Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Havana or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Havana and La Serena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or La Serena?
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
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 dayHavana $65La Serena $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $65, 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 Havana and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $40La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $80La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Havana and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Havana 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: La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19La Serena $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Havana 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 dayHavana $10La Serena $27
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11La Serena $24
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 dayHavana $5.76La Serena $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and La Serena, we can see that La Serena is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Havana Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or La Serena?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of Havana 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 Havana or La Serena?
La Serena has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Havana or La Serena in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Havana as well as La Serena. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Havana is a little warmer than La Serena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Havana in July average around 27°C (81°F), and La Serena averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.
Havana usually gets more rain in July than La Serenain January. Havana gets 50 mm (2 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 July and JanuaryHavana 27°C (81°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Havana or La Serena in the Autumn?
Both La Serena and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
In October, Havana is generally much warmer than La Serenain April. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 25°C (77°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In October, Havana usually receives more rain than La Serenain April. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 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 October and AprilHavana 25°C (77°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Havana or La Serena in the Winter?
Both La Serena and Havana during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Havana is much warmer than La Serena in the winter. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in July.
Havana usually gets more rain in January than La Serenain July. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 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 January and JulyHavana 21°C (70°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Havana or La Serena in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and La Serena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
In the spring, Havana is much warmer than La Serena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Havana in April average around 24°C (75°F), and La Serena averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.
In April, Havana usually receives more rain than La Serenain October. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 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 April and OctoberHavana 24°C (75°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Havana
| Havana | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.