Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or La Serena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Punta del Este or La Serena?
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98La Serena $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, 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 Punta del Este and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este 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: Punta del Este Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22La Serena $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $54
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Punta del Este 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 dayPunta del Este $31La Serena $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11La Serena $24
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- City Tour Punta del Este: $95
- Colonia Wine Experience for Food & Wine Lovers: $180
- East Coast of Uruguay – Private Multi Day Tour: $2,600
- From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $1,000
- Full Day Private Shore Tour Montevideo from Punta Del Este Port: $290
- Full Experience Tasting Menu Viña Edén: $157
- Gourmet Food & Wine Experience from Punta del Este: $205
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Half Day City Tour in Punta del Este: $47
- Half Day Tour in Piriapolis from Punta del Este: $170
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 dayPunta del Este $7.70La Serena $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $157
When comparing the travel costs between Punta del Este and La Serena, we can see that Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or La Serena?
La Serena has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or La Serena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and La Serena.
In the summer, Punta del Este is a little warmer than La Serena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Punta del Este in January average around 23°C (73°F), and La Serena averages at about 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Serena this time of the year. In Punta del Este, it's very sunny this time of the year. Punta del Este usually receives more sunshine than La Serena during summer. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than La Serena. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 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 JanuaryPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or La Serena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as La Serena.
In April, Punta del Este is generally a little warmer than La Serena. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 17°C (63°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In the autumn, Punta del Este often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Serena. Punta del Este gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 159 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in April than La Serena. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 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 AprilPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or La Serena in the Winter?
Both La Serena and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Punta del Este is cooler than La Serena in the winter. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 10°C (50°F) in July, and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Punta del Este usually receives less sunshine than La Serena during winter. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 160 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than La Serena. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 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 JulyPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or La Serena in the Spring?
Both La Serena and Punta del Este during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Punta del Este is a little warmer than La Serena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Punta del Este in October average around 16°C (61°F), and La Serena averages at about 14°C (57°F).
It's quite sunny in Punta del Este. In the spring, Punta del Este often gets more sunshine than La Serena. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 190 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in October than La Serena. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 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 OctoberPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.