Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and La Serena can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or La Serena?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122La Serena $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, 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 Tulum and La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Tulum and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28La Serena $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34La Serena $27
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32La Serena $24
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $90
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- 5x1: Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $99
- ATV Cenote and Zipline Adventure from Tulum: $119
- ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $137
- ATV Jungle Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote & Tulum Pickup: $75
- ATV Tour with Ziplines and Cenote Swim Experience in Quintana Roo: $59
- Adventure Tulum: $105
- Adventure in the Mayan Jungle with ATV and Zip Line in Tulum: $90
Tours and Activities in La Serena
For La Serena, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full Day History and Flavors Tour in the Elqui Valley: $50
- La Serena and Coquimbo City Tour (SIB): $66
- La Serena and Coquimbo Guided City Tour: $76
- Full day Tour to Elqui Valley : $80
- Elqui Valley Full Day Tour: magical towns, pisco and mountains: $85
- Elqui Valley Tour from La Serena: $120
- La Serena & Coquimbo City Tour - Short excursion for cruise ships: $128
- Tour to the internationally renowned Pangue Observatory: $139
- Tour to Valle del Encanto Archeology, Petroglyphs, Flora, Fauna and Springs: $140
- Dama Island or Chañaral Navigation Tour Humboldt Penguin Reserve: $140
- Elqui Valley: Pisco Tour, Wine, Beer: $174
- Elqui Valley and Vicuña Private Tour Including Lunch: $183
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25La Serena $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and La Serena, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is La Serena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America and La Serena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to La Serena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Serena 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum than you might in La Serena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or La Serena?
La Serena has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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 Tulum or La Serena?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. La Serena is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tulum has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Tulum or La Serena in the Summer?
Both La Serena and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tulum in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Tulum is much warmer than La Serena in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and La Serena fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.
In La Serena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the summer, Tulum often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Serenain January. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 247 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than La Serenain January. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTulum 28°C (83°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Tulum or La Serena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and La Serena. Most visitors come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Tulum is much warmer than La Serena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and La Serena averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than La Serena during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than La Serenain April. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Tulum or La Serena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as La Serena. The winter months attract visitors to Tulum because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Tulum is generally much warmer than La Serenain July. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the winter, Tulum often gets more sunshine than La Serenain July. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 160 hours of full sun.
Tulum usually gets more rain in January than La Serenain July. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTulum 23°C (74°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Tulum or La Serena in the Spring?
Both La Serena and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.
Tulum is much warmer than La Serena in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and La Serena fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than La Serena during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 190 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Tulum usually receives more rain than La Serenain October. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Tulum
| Tulum | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.