Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Ilha Grande?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ilha Grande or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ilha Grande or La Serena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Ilha Grande or La Serena?
Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande is a large, beautiful, island located off the southeast coast of Brazil. The island has few inhabitants, resulting in mostly unadulterated beaches and landscapes. There are over a dozen trails and beaches to explore, some of which have been called the best beaches in Brazil. Due to the limited number of inhabitants, ATMs are sparse on the island, so be sure to have cash with you before getting there.
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 Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Ilha Grande Prices
Brazil PricesLa Serena Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIlha Grande $83La Serena $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Ilha Grande is $83, while the average daily cost in La Serena is $110. 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 Ilha Grande and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIlha Grande $37La Serena $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIlha Grande $74La Serena $86
Compare Hotels in Ilha Grande and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Ilha Grande 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.Ilha Grande $18La Serena $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ilha Grande
Also for Ilha Grande, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Regular transfer from Isla Grande (Abraão) x Rio de Janeiro: $48
- Regular transfer from Angra dos Reis to Rio de Janeiro: $50
- From Angra dos Reis: Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $46
- Departure private transfer from Costa do Sol to Rio GIG Airport: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Serena
Also for La Serena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfers from La Serena Airport: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Ilha Grande or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Ilha Grande 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 dayIlha Grande $36La Serena $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ilha Grande $6.59La Serena $24
Tours and Activities in Ilha Grande
For Ilha Grande, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Angra Dos Reis Daily Tour To Paradise. Boat Trip Lunch And Fruits Included: $83
- Angra Islands Speedboat Tour from Paraty: $65
- Angra Paradise Islands Speedboat Tour: $85
- Angra Paradise Islands Speedboat Tour: $89
- Angra Super Blue Lagoon Speedboat Tour: $78
- Angra dos Reis Island Hopping Speedboat Tour from Ilha Grande: $74
- Angra dos Reis Lagoons Shared Speedboat Tour: $89
- Blue Lagoon Route in Angra dos Reis Tour: $83
- Boat Adventure in the Paradise Islands of Angra dos Reis: $109
- Boat Adventure through the Super Blue Lagoon in Angra dos Reis: $109
- Discover Angra’s Hidden Paradise Islands by Speedboat Tour: $116
- Diving Adventures in Angra dos Reis: $238
Tours and Activities in La Serena
For La Serena, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Astronomical experience at the Astronias Observatory - La Serena: $100
- Astronomy and Astrophotography Tour: $55
- Elqui Valley Boutique Stargazing Experience with Astrophotography: $99
- Elqui Valley Tour from La Serena: $85
- Elqui Valley Tour with Pisco Tasting and Lunch: $47
- Elqui Valley Tour: History and Flavors: $45
- Grand Tour Elqui Valley Cultural Treasures Mountains of Chile: $245
- La Serena and Coquimbo City Tour (SIB): $66
- La Serena and Coquimbo Guided City Tour: $76
- Elqui Valley Tour with Pisco Tasting & Lunch: $83
- Punta Colorada Petroglyphs and Parrots Tour: $800
- Milky Way Sanctuary Stargazing Tour at Pangue Observatory: $225
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIlha Grande $11La Serena $23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ilha Grande and La Serena, we can see that La Serena is more expensive. And not only is Ilha Grande much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ilha Grande would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ilha Grande 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 Ilha Grande.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ilha Grande Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
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.