Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Manaus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manaus or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Manaus 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: Manaus or La Serena?
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
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 Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManaus $59La Serena $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Manaus is $59, while the average daily cost in La Serena is $87. 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 Manaus and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManaus $42La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManaus $84La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Manaus and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Manaus 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: Manaus Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manaus $7.94La Serena $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers from the airport to any place in Manaus City: $40
- Transfer from Manaus Airport to Manaus City: $40
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Eduardo Gomes International Airport: $72
- Serviço de transfer privativo do Porto -> aeroporto de Mana: $20
- Private Transfers Services Airport -Hotel 24h: $19
- Private Transfer 24h Airport to Hotel in Manaus: $15
- Private Transfer - Airport - Hotel / Hotel - Airport: $34
- Private 24-hour transfer from the Hotel to the Airport in Manaus: $16
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Manaus or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Manaus 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 dayManaus $12La Serena $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
- Food Tour: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manaus -La Serena $24
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jewish Tour in Manaus in the Amazon from 4 to 5 hours: $147
- Adventure: 4-hour hike in the Amazon rainforest: $150
- Amazon Experience: meet a native village and swim with porpoises: $80
- Amazon Jungle Experience with Overnight: $300
- Amazon Jungle: 3- or 4-Day Tour at Ipanema River Guest House: $200
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Amazon Private Safari by Tuhiri Eco Tour - Leaving Manaus: $199
- Amazon River Stand Up Paddling Tour: $124
- Amazon Waterfalls Tour: $70
- Amazon and Negro Rivers Experience with Night Exploration Tour: $300
- City Tour Plus Amazon River Tour: $100
- City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $50
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManaus $2.84La Serena $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manaus and La Serena, we can see that La Serena is more expensive. And not only is Manaus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Manaus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manaus 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 Manaus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manaus Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manaus or La Serena?
Manaus has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of Manaus 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 Manaus or La Serena?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Manaus or La Serena in the Summer?
Both La Serena and Manaus are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In January, Manaus is generally much warmer than La Serena. Daily temperatures in Manaus average around 27°C (81°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in La Serena. Manaus usually receives less sunshine than La Serena during summer. Manaus gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Manaus. In January, Manaus usually receives more rain than La Serena. Manaus gets 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryManaus 27°C (81°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Manaus or La Serena in the Autumn?
Both La Serena and Manaus during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Manaus is much warmer than La Serena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manaus averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and La Serena fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In the autumn, Manaus often gets less sunshine than La Serena. Manaus gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 159 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manaus. Manaus usually gets more rain in April than La Serena. Manaus gets 311 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilManaus 28°C (82°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Manaus or La Serena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manaus and La Serena.
In the winter, Manaus is much warmer than La Serena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manaus in July average around 28°C (82°F), and La Serena averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In Manaus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Manaus usually receives more sunshine than La Serena during winter. Manaus gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 160 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Manaus usually receives more rain than La Serena. Manaus gets 85 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyManaus 28°C (82°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Manaus or La Serena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Manaus as well as La Serena.
In October, Manaus is generally much warmer than La Serena. Daily temperatures in Manaus average around 29°C (84°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
In the spring, Manaus often gets less sunshine than La Serena. Manaus gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 190 hours of full sun.
Manaus receives a lot of rain in the spring. Manaus usually gets more rain in October than La Serena. Manaus gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberManaus 29°C (84°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Manaus
| Manaus | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 264 mm (10.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 311 mm (12.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.6 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.