Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or La Serena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit La Serena or Mazatlan?
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 Mazatlan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Serena or Mazatlan?
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.
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city has a population of almost 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and resort hotels. Most people head to Mazatlan specifically for its beaches, but the city itself is somewhat large and diverse with many different cultures and ethnicities represented. Many foreigners come here not only to vacation, but also to retire. You'll meet people from all over Europe, as well as Canada and the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Serena $87Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in La Serena is $87, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $79. 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 Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Serena $42Mazatlan $33
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Serena $84Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in La Serena and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in La Serena or Mazatlan? 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 Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Serena $20Mazatlan $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
Is it cheaper to fly into La Serena or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan 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
-
Food Meals for one dayLa Serena $27Mazatlan $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mazatlan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
- Mercado walking food tour: $78
- Mazatlan routes of taste food tour: $84
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $84
- Tacos, Beer and Mezcal Food Tour in Mazatlan: $96
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Serena $24Mazatlan $9.59
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
Tours and Activities in Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Barrio Bites tour: $78
- Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
- BeachBlast ATV's & City Tour: $99
- Bird Watching Mazatlán - Birding Tour: $115
- City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
- From Zipline & ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting: $210
- Half-Day Tour to Tequila Factory and Villages from Mazatlan: $75
- Half-Day Ziplining Experience from Mazatlán: $110
- Jungle and beach ATV tour + lunch + tequila tasting: $120
- Mazatlán: Beach & Jungle ATV Tour w/ Lunch & Tequila Tasting: $126
- Mazatlán: Tequila Factory & Country Sightseeing: $103
- Mazatlán: Zipline Adventure, Sightseeing & Mezcal Tasting: $128
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Serena $22Mazatlan $18
When comparing the travel costs between La Serena and Mazatlan, 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. Even though La Serena is in South America and Mazatlan is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Serena or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of La Serena and Mazatlan, 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 Mazatlan?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. La Serena is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Mazatlan has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit La Serena or Mazatlan in the Summer?
Both Mazatlan and La Serena during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, La Serena is much colder than Mazatlan. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Serena in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in La Serena. In the summer, La Serena often gets more sunshine than Mazatlanin July. La Serena gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun.
Mazatlan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Serena usually gets less rain in January than Mazatlanin July. La Serena gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyLa Serena 18°C (64°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit La Serena or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both La Serena and Mazatlan. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
In April, La Serena is generally much colder than Mazatlanin October. Daily temperatures in La Serena average around 15°C (59°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. La Serena usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during autumn. La Serena gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In April, La Serena usually receives less rain than Mazatlanin October. La Serena gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberLa Serena 15°C (59°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit La Serena or Mazatlan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to La Serena as well as Mazatlan. Additionally, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
La Serena is much colder than Mazatlan in the winter. The daily temperature in La Serena averages around 12°C (54°F) in July, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. In the winter, La Serena often gets less sunshine than Mazatlanin January. La Serena gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun.
La Serena usually gets less rain in July than Mazatlanin January. La Serena gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLa Serena 12°C (54°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit La Serena or Mazatlan in the Spring?
Both Mazatlan and La Serena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches.
In the spring, La Serena is much colder than Mazatlan. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Serena in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. La Serena usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during spring. La Serena gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, La Serena usually receives more rain than Mazatlanin April. La Serena gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilLa Serena 14°C (57°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and La Serena
| La Serena | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 18 mm (0.7 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.