Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Temuco?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Temuco or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Temuco and La Serena. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Temuco or La Serena?
Temuco
Temuco is a large and modern city found 680 km south of Santiago. While the city is dynamic, it does not have any particular charm with the exception of being a great point of departure for many excursions around the lake region and the many national parks found in the surrounding area. Temuco is also well known for its Mapuche culture, a proud and rebellious community of around 20 000 in the area today, who has fought continuously against every invaders in the past.
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, and The Best Budget Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTemuco $80La Serena $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Temuco is $80, 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 Temuco and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTemuco $44La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTemuco $88La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Temuco and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Temuco 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: Temuco Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Temuco $23La Serena $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Temuco
Also for Temuco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers from or to Temuco - Araucanía Airport: $35
- Transfer from Temuco Airport to Pucon: $140
- Transfer Araucanía Airport - Temuco: $50
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Thermal Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Temuco or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Temuco 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 dayTemuco $22La Serena $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Temuco $7.85La Serena $24
Tours and Activities in Temuco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Temuco.
- Tour Mapuche Community Araucanía: $582
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 dayTemuco $5.13La Serena $22
When comparing the travel costs between Temuco 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 Temuco Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Temuco or La Serena?
Temuco has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of Temuco 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 Temuco 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 Temuco or La Serena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Temuco and La Serena.
In the summer, Temuco is around the same temperature as La Serena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Temuco in January average around 17°C (62°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 Temuco, it's very sunny this time of the year. Temuco usually receives more sunshine than La Serena during summer. Temuco gets 290 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Temuco usually receives more rain than La Serena. Temuco gets 42 mm (1.7 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 JanuaryTemuco 17°C (62°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Temuco or La Serena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Temuco as well as La Serena.
In April, Temuco is generally cooler than La Serena. Daily temperatures in Temuco average around 12°C (53°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In the autumn, Temuco often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Serena. Temuco gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 159 hours of full sun.
Temuco usually gets more rain in April than La Serena. Temuco gets 80 mm (3.1 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 AprilTemuco 12°C (53°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Temuco or La Serena in the Winter?
Both La Serena and Temuco are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Temuco is cooler than La Serena in the winter. The daily temperature in Temuco averages around 8°C (46°F) in July, and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Temuco usually receives less sunshine than La Serena during winter. Temuco gets 78 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 160 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Temuco. In July, Temuco usually receives more rain than La Serena. Temuco gets 169 mm (6.7 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 JulyTemuco 8°C (46°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Temuco or La Serena in the Spring?
Both La Serena and Temuco during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Temuco is cooler than La Serena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Temuco in October average around 12°C (54°F), and La Serena averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In the spring, Temuco often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Serena. Temuco gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 190 hours of full sun.
Temuco usually gets more rain in October than La Serena. Temuco gets 86 mm (3.4 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 OctoberTemuco 12°C (54°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Temuco
| Temuco | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 17°C (62°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 10°C (50°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (47°F) | 177 mm (7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 8°C (46°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (50°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.