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

Should you visit La Serena or Ensenada?

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 La Serena and Ensenada can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: La Serena or Ensenada?

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.

Ensenada

Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or La Serena?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • La Serena Prices
    Chile Prices
    Ensenada Prices
    Mexico Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    La Serena $106
    Ensenada $115

The average daily cost (per person) in La Serena is $106, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $115. 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 La Serena and Ensenada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    La Serena $42
    Ensenada $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    La Serena $84
    Ensenada $84
Compare Hotels in La Serena and Ensenada

Looking for a hotel in La Serena or Ensenada? 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 La Serena


Hotels in Ensenada


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: La Serena Hotel Prices and Ensenada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    La Serena $20
    Ensenada $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:

  • Border and Tijuana Airport Transfers to Ensenada or Valle de Guadalupe: $125

Is it cheaper to fly into La Serena or Ensenada?

Prices for flights to both Ensenada and La Serena 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
    La Serena $46
    Ensenada $61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ensenada

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ensenada.

  • Mexican Cooking Class at Hacienda Eco-Domes | Valle de Guadalupe: $84
  • Tacos and Margaritas Food Tour in Ensenada Mexico: $85
  • Cooking Class and Margarita Madness at Valle de Guadalupe : $89
  • Surprises, Delights and Joys Ensenada Wine, Mezcal, and Food Tour: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    La Serena $24
    Ensenada $9.79

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 : $53
  • 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

Tours and Activities in Ensenada

Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Explore Ensenada with Private Car and Walking Tour: $65
  • 10 Hour Private Tour in ensenada, bufadora or valle de guadalupe: $290
  • ATV Mountain Tour: $70
  • ATV Off Road Adventure Shore Excursion Optional Taco Stop: $119
  • ATV Off-Road Adventure through Valle de Guadalupe + Winery Visit: $77
  • ATV'S on the Mountain with Ocean View Private Tour: $110
  • Adventure in Ensenada with Zipline, Marine Geyser and Shops: $99
  • Canopy Ziplines Tour in Las Cañadas Private Tour: $89
  • Couple Tour: $116
  • Ensenada City Tour on Ford T Replica and Beach Horse Back Riding : $120
  • Ensenada Pvt City Tour w Tacos, Culture, Sites +Massage add ons : $119
  • Ensenada Shore Excursion: Blowhole and La Bufadora Tour with Horseback Riding: $168

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    La Serena $22
    Ensenada $9.98

Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada

Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Private Wine Tasting Experience in Maglén: $27
  • Tractor Pull Around Vineyards and Wine Tasting Tour: $56
  • Private Ensenada Tacos and Wine Tour : $109
  • Valle de Guadalupe Wine Experience: Wine Tastings Included: $112
  • Valle de Guadalupe COUPLES wine tasting for 2: $135
  • wine tours and driver service through valle de guadalupe, Ensenada B.C. Mexico: $145
  • Pvt Wine Tastings + Cheese Store + Massage Shore Excursion: $149
  • Wine Tasting Tour ONLY for Cruise Ship Visitors. ALL INCLUSIVE!: $221
  • Private and custom group Wine tour Valle de Guadalupe : $238


When comparing the travel costs between La Serena and Ensenada, we can see that Ensenada 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. Even though La Serena is in South America and Ensenada is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, La Serena or Ensenada?

Ensenada has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of La Serena and Ensenada, 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.