Which place is cheaper, San Juan or La Serena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit La Serena or San Juan?
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 San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Serena or San Juan?
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.
San Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Serena $87San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in La Serena is $87, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. 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 San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Serena $42San Juan $124
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Serena $84San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in La Serena and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in La Serena or San Juan? 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 San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Serena $20San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $271
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
Is it cheaper to fly into La Serena or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan 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 $27San Juan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- City Lights Sky High Dinner Experience: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Serena $24San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in La Serena
For La Serena, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tour to the internationally renowned Pangue Observatory: $139
- Dama Island or Chañaral Navigation Tour Humboldt Penguin Reserve: $140
- Elqui Valley Full Day Tour: magical towns, pisco and mountains: $85
- Elqui Valley Grand-Tour: $189
- Elqui Valley Tour from La Serena: $120
- Elqui Valley and Vicuña Private Tour Including Lunch: $183
- Elqui Valley: Pisco Tour, Wine, Beer: $174
- Full Day History and Flavors Tour in the Elqui Valley: $50
- La Serena & Coquimbo City Tour - Short excursion for cruise ships: $128
- La Serena and Coquimbo City Tour (SIB): $66
- La Serena and Coquimbo Guided City Tour: $76
- La Serena and Coquimbo Private City Tour Including Lunch, Shore Excursion: $194
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Horseback Riding Tour$40
-
Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
-
1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Beach Day Tour with Snorkeling from San Juan by Ferry: $200
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- El Yunque National RainForest: Tour with Nature walk: $75
- El Yunque Rainforest Guided Day Tour from San Juan: $85
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Serena $22San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Serena and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is La Serena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Serena is in South America and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, 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 La Serena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Serena 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 San Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan than you might in La Serena.
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 San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Serena or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of La Serena and San Juan, 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 San Juan?
La Serena has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit La Serena or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Serena and San Juan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
La Serena is much colder than San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in La Serena averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In La Serena, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Serena usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. La Serena gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, La Serena usually receives less rain than San Juanin July. La Serena gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyLa Serena 18°C (64°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit La Serena or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to La Serena as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In the autumn, La Serena is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Serena in April average around 15°C (59°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the autumn, La Serena often gets less sunshine than San Juanin October. La Serena gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. La Serena usually gets less rain in April than San Juanin October. La Serena gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberLa Serena 15°C (59°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit La Serena or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and La Serena are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, La Serena is generally much colder than San Juanin January. Daily temperatures in La Serena average around 12°C (54°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. La Serena usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. La Serena gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, La Serena usually receives less rain than San Juanin January. La Serena gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLa Serena 12°C (54°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit La Serena or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and La Serena during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
La Serena is much colder than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in La Serena averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, La Serena often gets less sunshine than San Juanin April. La Serena gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
La Serena usually gets less rain in October than San Juanin April. La Serena gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilLa Serena 14°C (57°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and La Serena
| La Serena | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.