A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ushuaia vs. La Serena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ushuaia or La Serena?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Ushuaia 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: Ushuaia or La Serena?

Ushuaia

Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.

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 Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Ushuaia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ushuaia is $12, while the average daily cost in La Serena is $85. 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 Ushuaia and La Serena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ushuaia $5.73
    La Serena $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ushuaia $11
    La Serena $82
Compare Hotels in Ushuaia and La Serena

Looking for a hotel in Ushuaia 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.

Hotels in Ushuaia


Hotels in La Serena


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: Ushuaia Hotel Prices and La Serena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ushuaia -
    La Serena $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia

Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared One-way Airport Transfer: $10
  • Escondido and Fagnano Lakes with transfer: $84
  • Ushuaia city to Ushuaia Airport(USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
  • Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia city - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $46
  • Ushuaia Airport Departure Transfer: $10
  • Transfer from/to the airport: $89
  • Transfer from the hotel to the airport in shared service: $19
  • Transfer from the airport to the hotel in shared service: $19
  • Transfer Ushuaia Airport - Hotel in Ushuaia - Ushuaia Airport : $35
  • Transfer Cerro Castor (Round Trip): $32
  • Shared Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $37
  • Private Transfer from Ushuaia Port to Ushuaia Airport (USH): $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Ushuaia or La Serena?

Prices for flights to both La Serena and Ushuaia 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 day
    Ushuaia $2.22
    La Serena $26
Typical Food Prices in Ushuaia

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:


  • Lunch for Two
    $0.06

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia

For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Ushuaia at night: A Snow and Fire dinner, sledding and adventure: $270

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ushuaia $13
    La Serena $23

Tours and Activities in Ushuaia

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.

  • 2-day tour: Tierra del Fuego National Park + Fagnano and Escondido Lakes: $115
  • 2-day tour:Tierra del Fuego NP + Beagle Channel Navigation + Fagnano & Escondido: $190
  • 3-Hour Navigation Tour in the Beagle Channel with Isla de Lobos: $145
  • 3-Hour Tour Sailing through the Beagle Channel: $105
  • 4-Hour National Park - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $75
  • 4WD Off-Road Lakes Tierra del Fuego Adventure From Ushuaia: $174
  • 5-Hour Nat Park + City tour - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $195
  • 5.5-Hour National park w/ hiking Shore excursion - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $280
  • 5hrs of Trekking Experience in Martial Glacier: $95
  • 7-Hour Lakes Escondido & Fagnano - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $105
  • Adventure 360º in Quads with Lunch: $165
  • An Hour Tour in the City of Ushuaia: $32

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
  • Daily tour to go Whale Watching all inclusive: $130
  • Elqui Valley Full Day Tour: magical towns, pisco and mountains: $89
  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ushuaia -
    La Serena $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ushuaia

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:


  • Wine
    $0.05
  • Beer
    $0.01


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ushuaia and La Serena, we can see that La Serena is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ushuaia Expensive? and Is La Serena Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ushuaia or La Serena?

La Serena has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ushuaia. When comparing the sizes of Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia or La Serena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ushuaia and La Serena.

Ushuaia is much colder than La Serena in the summer. The daily temperature in Ushuaia averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and La Serena fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Serena this time of the year. Ushuaia usually receives less sunshine than La Serena during summer. Ushuaia gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Ushuaia usually receives more rain than La Serena. Ushuaia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Ushuaia 10°C (50°F) 
    La Serena 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Ushuaia or La Serena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ushuaia as well as La Serena.

In the autumn, Ushuaia is much colder than La Serena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ushuaia in April average around 6°C (43°F), and La Serena averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Ushuaia often gets less sunshine than La Serena. Ushuaia gets 74 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 159 hours of full sun.

Ushuaia usually gets more rain in April than La Serena. Ushuaia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Ushuaia 6°C (43°F) 
    La Serena 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Ushuaia or La Serena in the Winter?

Both La Serena and Ushuaia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Ushuaia can get quite cold in the winter. In July, Ushuaia is generally much colder than La Serena. Daily temperatures in Ushuaia average around 2°C (36°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Ushuaia usually receives less sunshine than La Serena during winter. Ushuaia gets 61 hours of sunny skies, while La Serena receives 160 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Ushuaia usually receives more rain than La Serena. Ushuaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Ushuaia 2°C (36°F) 
    La Serena 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Ushuaia or La Serena in the Spring?

Both La Serena and Ushuaia during the spring are popular places to visit.

Ushuaia is much colder than La Serena in the spring. The daily temperature in Ushuaia averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and La Serena fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the spring, Ushuaia often gets less sunshine than La Serena. Ushuaia gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Serena receives 190 hours of full sun.

Ushuaia usually gets more rain in October than La Serena. Ushuaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Ushuaia 6°C (43°F) 
    La Serena 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for La Serena and Ushuaia

Ushuaia La Serena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 6°C (43°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
May 3°C (37°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Jun 1°C (34°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Jul 2°C (36°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Aug 2°C (36°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 4°C (39°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 9°C (48°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)