Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Puerto Madryn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Puerto Madryn or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Madryn 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: Puerto Madryn or La Serena?
Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.
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 Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.
-
Puerto Madryn Prices
Argentina PricesLa Serena Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Madryn $61La Serena $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Madryn is $61, while the average daily cost in La Serena is $106. 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 Puerto Madryn and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Madryn $41La Serena $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Madryn $82La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Puerto Madryn and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Madryn 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: Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Madryn $2.53La Serena $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:
- Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $42
- Puerto Madryn Airport Private Transfer: $216
- From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $138
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Madryn or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Puerto Madryn 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 dayPuerto Madryn $7.60La Serena $46
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Madryn $45La Serena $24
Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:
- 3 hour 4x4 tour around Puerto Madryn: $110
- Cruise Shore Exc. Ea San Lorenzo (Penguins) Lunch Included: $159
- Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Peninsula Valdes - Patagonia - Argentina: $159
- Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Box Lunch Included: $105
- Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Pto Madryn - Patagonia - Argentina: $95
- Cruise Shore Excursion Pta Tombo (penguins): $105
- Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo - From Puerto Madryn Patagonia: $120
- Cruise Shore Punta Loma and city overview: $83
- Day trip in an all-terrain vehicle: 4x4 adventure + lunch at a Patagonian ranch: $160
- Dolphin Watching Adventure: $105
- El Doradillo Whale Watching Half-Day Tour from Puerto Madryn: $60
- Exclusive Full Day Tour Penguin Colony in Punta Tombo from Madryn: $200
Tours and Activities in La Serena
For La Serena, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Elqui Valley Tour: Full Day History and Flavors : $42
- Astronomy and Astrophotography Tour: $55
- Astronomical Tour Collowara Observatory: $64
- La Serena and Coquimbo City Tour (SIB): $66
- La Serena and Coquimbo Guided City Tour: $76
- Elqui Valley Tour from La Serena: $85
- Full day Tour to Elqui Valley : $110
- Grand Tour Valley of Elqui Mystic Mountains and Cultural Treasures: $115
- Spas and Beaches Tour: La Herradura -Totoralillo - Guanaqueros -Tongoy: $118
- Dama Island or Chañaral Navigation Tour Humboldt Penguin Reserve: $165
- Private La Serena and Coquimbo City Tour: $170
- Elqui Valley: Pisco Tour, Wine, Beer: $174
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Madryn $12La Serena $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Madryn and La Serena, we can see that La Serena is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Madryn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Madryn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Madryn Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Madryn or La Serena?
La Serena has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn or La Serena?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or La Serena in the Summer?
Both La Serena and Puerto Madryn during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Puerto Madryn is a little warmer than La Serena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Puerto Madryn in January average around 22°C (71°F), and La Serena averages at about 18°C (64°F).
Puerto Madryn usually gets more rain in January than La Serena. Puerto Madryn gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPuerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or La Serena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Madryn and La Serena.
In April, Puerto Madryn is generally around the same temperature as La Serena. Daily temperatures in Puerto Madryn average around 14°C (58°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In April, Puerto Madryn usually receives more rain than La Serena. Puerto Madryn gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPuerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or La Serena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Puerto Madryn as well as La Serena.
Puerto Madryn is much colder than La Serena in the winter. The daily temperature in Puerto Madryn averages around 7°C (45°F) in July, and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto Madryn this time of the year. In the winter, Puerto Madryn often gets more sunshine than La Serena. Puerto Madryn gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 160 hours of full sun.
Puerto Madryn usually gets more rain in July than La Serena. Puerto Madryn gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JulyPuerto Madryn 7°C (45°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or La Serena in the Spring?
Both La Serena and Puerto Madryn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Puerto Madryn is around the same temperature as La Serena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Puerto Madryn in October average around 14°C (58°F), and La Serena averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In October, Puerto Madryn usually receives more rain than La Serena. Puerto Madryn gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPuerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Puerto Madryn
| Puerto Madryn | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (69°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 10°C (51°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 7°C (45°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (53°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 18°C (64°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.