Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Huaraz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Huaraz 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 Huaraz and La Serena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Huaraz or La Serena?
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuaraz $50La Serena $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $50, while the average daily cost in La Serena is $88. 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 Huaraz and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuaraz $20La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuaraz $40La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Huaraz 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: Huaraz Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huaraz $10La Serena $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.15
Is it cheaper to fly into Huaraz or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Huaraz 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 dayHuaraz $17La Serena $27
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$5.91
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Chips$1.48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Huaraz $19La Serena $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$17
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Ancash: Adventure and Climbing to Mountain Alpamayo |6D-5N|: $3,303
- Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
- Ancash: Trek and Adventure to Quillcayhuanca |3Days-2Nights|: $410
- From Ancash: Adventure and trekking in Huaraz |3Días-2Noche|: $136
- From Ancash: Fantastic Tour in Huaraz : 2 Days - 1 Night: $92
- From Ancash: Fantastic tour Huaraz/Nevado Pastoruri |4D-3N|: $192
- From Ancash: Huaraz Adventure with meals |3Days-2Nights|: $142
- From Ancash: Tour Huaraz with Puya Raymondi |4Days-3Nights|: $197
- From Ancash: Tour fantastic in Huaraz |2Days-1Night|: $92
- From Ancash: Tour in Huaraz with tickets and Hotel |5D-4N|: $250
- From Huaraz | Live an adventure between mountains and lakes: $214
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 dayHuaraz $15La Serena $23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huaraz and La Serena, we can see that La Serena is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Huaraz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Huaraz Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Huaraz or La Serena?
La Serena has a larger population, and is about 78% larger than the population of Huaraz. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz 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 Huaraz or La Serena?
La Serena has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Huaraz experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Huaraz or La Serena in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Huaraz as well as La Serena. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Huaraz can be very cold. Huaraz is much colder than La Serena in the summer. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 3°C (37°F) in July, and La Serena fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.
Huaraz usually gets more rain in July than La Serenain January. Huaraz gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JanuaryHuaraz 3°C (37°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or La Serena in the Autumn?
Both La Serena and Huaraz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Huaraz in the autumn. In the autumn, Huaraz is much colder than La Serena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Huaraz in October average around 4°C (39°F), and La Serena averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
In October, Huaraz usually receives more rain than La Serenain April. Huaraz gets 85 mm (3.3 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 AprilHuaraz 4°C (39°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or La Serena in the Winter?
Both La Serena and Huaraz during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Huaraz is generally much colder than La Serenain July. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 7°C (45°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Huaraz. Huaraz usually gets more rain in January than La Serenain July. Huaraz gets 122 mm (4.8 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 JulyHuaraz 7°C (45°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or La Serena in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Huaraz and La Serena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round.
Huaraz is much colder than La Serena in the spring. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and La Serena fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.
In April, Huaraz usually receives more rain than La Serenain October. Huaraz gets 93 mm (3.7 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 OctoberHuaraz 6°C (43°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Huaraz
| Huaraz | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 112 mm (4.4 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.