Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Puerto Natales?
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 Natales 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 Puerto Natales and La Serena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Puerto Natales or La Serena?
Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales is a beautiful town located in the Chilean Patagonia on the Senoret Channel. The city is often used as a base camp for trips to the surrounding national parks due to their plentiful restaurant options and access to internet. Puerto Natales is also known for being the base city to the Torres del Paine National Park, which was named the 5th most beautiful place in the world by National Geographic.
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 Chile, The Best Budget Tours to Chile, The Best Tours for Seniors to Chile, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile.
-
Puerto Natales Prices
Chile PricesLa Serena Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Natales $105La Serena $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Natales is $105, 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 Natales and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Natales $38La Serena $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Natales $76La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Puerto Natales and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Natales 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 Natales Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Natales $19La Serena $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Natales
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Natales:
- Puerto Natales Airport Private Transfer: $30
- Private transfer Airport x Lodging (Puerto Natales): $25
- Private Transfer: From Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales: $422
- Private Transfer Airport x Hotels inside the TORRES DEL PAINE Park: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Natales or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Puerto Natales 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 Natales $48La Serena $46
Typical Food Prices in Puerto Natales
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Puerto Natales:
-
Cake$1.05
-
Dinner$18
-
Coke$1.05
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Natales $29La Serena $24
Tours and Activities in Puerto Natales
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Natales for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers Boat Tour and traditional lunch.: $237
- Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Sightseeing Cruise from Puerto Natales: $271
- City Bike Tour through Puerto Natales: $65
- Fjord electric bike tour, full day: $176
- From Grey Glacier Tour: $251
- From Torres del Paine National Park Day Tour: $110
- Full Day Guided Tour in Torres del Paine and Milodon Cave: $80
- Full Day Land of Sheep Experience Tourism: $199
- Full Day Patagonia Tour from Puerto Natales: $95
- Full Day Torres del Paine Tour: $99
- Full Day Torres del Paine Tour from Puerto Natales with Pickup: $119
- Full Day Tour to Torres del Paine National Park: $92
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 Natales $17La Serena $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Puerto Natales
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Puerto Natales:
-
Alcohol$13
When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Natales and La Serena, 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. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Natales Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Natales or La Serena?
La Serena has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Puerto Natales. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Natales 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.
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.