A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mar del Plata vs. La Serena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mar del Plata or La Serena?

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 Mar del Plata and La Serena can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or La Serena?

Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.

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 Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mar del Plata and La Serena, we can see that La Serena is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mar del Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mar del Plata Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or La Serena?

Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata or La Serena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and La Serena.

Mar del Plata is a little warmer than La Serena in the summer. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 20°C (69°F) in January, and La Serena fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Serena this time of the year. In Mar del Plata, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mar del Plata usually receives less sunshine than La Serena during summer. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than La Serena. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mar del Plata or La Serena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as La Serena.

In the autumn, Mar del Plata is around the same temperature as La Serena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mar del Plata in April average around 15°C (59°F), and La Serena averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in April than La Serena. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mar del Plata or La Serena in the Winter?

Both La Serena and Mar del Plata are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In July, Mar del Plata is generally cooler than La Serena. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 9°C (47°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In July, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than La Serena. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mar del Plata or La Serena in the Spring?

Both La Serena and Mar del Plata during the spring are popular places to visit.

Mar del Plata is around the same temperature as La Serena in the spring. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and La Serena fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the spring, Mar del Plata often gets less sunshine than La Serena. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 190 hours of full sun.

Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in October than La Serena. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for La Serena and Mar del Plata