Which place is cheaper, Lima or La Serena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Serena or Lima?
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 La Serena and Lima can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Serena or Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Serena $87Lima $77
The average daily cost (per person) in La Serena is $87, while the average daily cost in Lima is $77. 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 La Serena and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Serena $42Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Serena $84Lima $98
Compare Hotels in La Serena and Lima
Looking for a hotel in La Serena or Lima? 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 and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Serena $20Lima $5.73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima APT-HTL (LIM) : $34
- Transfers from / to Lima airport: $43
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Lima Jorge Chávez Airport to Lima City: $40
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Lima City to Airport: $40
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Lima City - Lima Airport (LIM): $61
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $52
- Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $20
- Round-Trip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Lima Airport (LIM) in Lima City: $122
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores Kennedy Park: $5.00
Is it cheaper to fly into La Serena or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and La Serena 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 dayLa Serena $27Lima $18
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.34
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Ice cream$3.53
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Coffee$2.99
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Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
- Lima Night Food Tour: $48
- Lima Market Food Tour: $52
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Serena $24Lima $8.66
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Lima bike and 5 Step Food Tasting Experience: $92
- Lima in 1 Day! - City Tour + Miraflores, Barranco & San Isidro: $85
- Tour to Historical Places in Lima: $30
- Cultural Tour of the city of Lima & Gastronomic: $62
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
- 2d/1n Tour: Flight to the Nazca, Paracas and Huacachina Lines: $289
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
- 3 Day Tour to Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $159
- 3-Day Trip to Lima Tour Package: $150
- 3-Hour Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Lima: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Serena $22Lima $5.63
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.30
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Beer$4.07
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Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Party tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
When comparing the travel costs between La Serena and Lima, we can see that La Serena is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Serena Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Serena or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of La Serena and Lima, 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 La Serena or Lima?
La Serena has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit La Serena or Lima in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to La Serena as well as Lima. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
La Serena is around the same temperature as Lima in the summer. The daily temperature in La Serena averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Serena this time of the year. In the summer, La Serena often gets more sunshine than Limain July. La Serena gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun.
La Serena usually gets less rain in January than Limain July. La Serena gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyLa Serena 18°C (64°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit La Serena or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and La Serena are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, La Serena is cooler than Lima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Serena in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Lima averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
La Serena usually receives more sunshine than Lima during autumn. La Serena gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In April, La Serena usually receives less rain than Limain October. La Serena gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberLa Serena 15°C (59°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit La Serena or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and La Serena during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In July, La Serena is generally much colder than Limain January. Daily temperatures in La Serena average around 12°C (54°F), and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In the winter, La Serena often gets less sunshine than Limain January. La Serena gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun.
La Serena usually gets less rain in July than Limain January. La Serena gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLa Serena 12°C (54°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit La Serena or Lima in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Serena and Lima. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
La Serena is much colder than Lima in the spring. The daily temperature in La Serena averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.
La Serena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lima during spring. La Serena gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, La Serena usually receives more rain than Limain April. La Serena gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilLa Serena 14°C (57°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and La Serena
| La Serena | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 22°C (72°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.