{"id":1306187,"date":"2026-10-11T20:31:55","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T20:31:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306187"},"modified":"2026-10-12T14:01:56","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:01:56","slug":"la-serena","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/chile\/la-serena\/","title":{"rendered":"La Serena"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306045,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":"","hw_hub_country_team_intro":"","hw_hub_country_team":"","hw_hub_country_faq_title":"","hw_hub_country_faq_note":"","hw_hub_country_faqs":"","hw_hub_country_cta_title":"","hw_hub_country_cta_body":"","hw_hub_country_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_country_hub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guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Things to do in La Serena","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"A colonial city of stone churches by long Pacific beaches, and the gateway to the Elqui Valley: vineyards, pisco distilleries and some of the clearest night skies in the world.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1306191","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Plan your days | #do\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"1544 | Founded, one of Chile's oldest cities\r\n4\u20135 | Days with the Elqui Valley","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"Beaches, stars and pisco","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"La Serena is one of Chile's oldest cities, founded in 1544, around 470km north of Santiago. Its centre is full of stone churches and colonial-style buildings, and a long avenue leads down to the Avenida del Mar, a seafront lined with beaches stretching to the neighbouring port city of Coquimbo.\r\n\r\nThe city is pleasant for a day or two, but the real draw is inland. The Elqui Valley, a green ribbon of vineyards in a dry, mountainous landscape, is the heartland of pisco, Chile's grape brandy, and home to small villages like Vicu\u00f1a and Pisco Elqui. With hundreds of clear nights a year, the valley is one of the best places in the world for stargazing, with observatories open to visitors.\r\n\r\nOn the coast to the north, the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve protects islands where penguins, sea lions and dolphins live, reached by boat from the fishing village of Punta de Choros. Give La Serena and the Elqui Valley four or five days.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Language | Spanish\r\nCurrency | Chilean peso (CLP). Cards widely accepted\r\nFrom Santiago | Bus 6\u20137 hours, or a short flight\r\nGetting around | On foot, colectivos and buses\r\nEmergency | 133 police, 131 ambulance\r\nTap water | Safe to drink\r\nTipping | 10% is usually suggested on the bill\r\nHow long to stay | Four to five days with the valley\r\nBest months | September to April","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Stay in the historic centre for churches, restaurants and buses to the Elqui Valley, or by the Avenida del Mar for the beach. Vicu\u00f1a and Pisco Elqui are bases in the valley.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"","hw_hub_city_areas":"Historic centre | Churches, buses | Around the Plaza de Armas, with restaurants and buses to the valley. | -29.9045 | -71.2489 |  | \nAvenida del Mar | Beaches | The seafront, busy in summer. | -29.9130 | -71.2700 |  | \nVicu\u00f1a | Elqui Valley base | A small town in the valley, near observatories and distilleries. | -30.0320 | -70.7100 |  | \nPisco Elqui | Laid-back valley village | A village deep in the valley, with distilleries and dark skies. | -30.1250 | -70.4950 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"How long have you got?","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"Split your time between the coast and the valley.","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Things to do in La Serena","hw_hub_city_do_body":"In the city, walk the historic centre, with more than a dozen churches, many built of stone, and visit the Japanese garden, Kokoro No Niwa, in Parque Japon\u00e9s. The beaches along the Avenida del Mar stretch for kilometres, and the Cruz del Tercer Milenio, a giant cross on a hill in Coquimbo, has views over the bay.\r\n\r\nIn the Elqui Valley, visit pisco distilleries for tastings, see the Gabriela Mistral museum in Vicu\u00f1a, dedicated to Chile's Nobel Prize-winning poet who grew up in the valley, and spend a night in the laid-back village of Pisco Elqui. Above all, book a night at one of the observatories, where guides show you planets, nebulae and galaxies through telescopes.\r\n\r\nOn the coast, boat trips from Punta de Choros visit Isla Damas and the islands of the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve, with penguins, sea lions and often dolphins and whales.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"Elqui observatories | Telescope tours under clear skies\r\nPisco distilleries | Tastings in the Elqui Valley\r\nPunta de Choros | Boats to see Humboldt penguins and dolphins\r\nHistoric centre | Stone churches and colonial streets","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in La Serena","hw_hub_city_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_city_free_body":"The beaches along the Avenida del Mar are free, with a long promenade for walking and cycling. The historic centre's churches, squares and the busy Recova market are free to explore.\r\n\r\nThe lighthouse at the end of the Avenida del Mar is a symbol of the city and a good spot for sunset.\r\n\r\nIn the Elqui Valley, the night sky itself is free: away from the lights, the Milky Way is spectacular.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Avenida del Mar | Beaches and a long promenade\r\nHistoric centre | Churches and squares\r\nLa Recova | A busy craft and food market\r\nNight sky | Free in the Elqui Valley","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in La Serena","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Seafood is excellent on this coast, from fried fish at the Coquimbo fish market to ceviche and machas a la parmesana, razor clams baked with cheese.\r\n\r\nThe region is known for its papayas, small and fragrant, made into juices, jams and desserts, and for goat's cheese from the valleys. Pisco is the local spirit, and a pisco sour made with Elqui pisco is the drink to try.\r\n\r\nIn the Elqui Valley, some restaurants cook with solar ovens, using the strong sunshine.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Machas a la parmesana | Razor clams baked with cheese\r\nPapayas | Small, fragrant, in juices and jams\r\nPisco sour | With Elqui pisco\r\nSolar cooking | Restaurants in the Elqui Valley","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for La Serena","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"La Serena's nightlife is busiest in summer, with bars and clubs along the Avenida del Mar and in the centre.\r\n\r\nThe student population keeps some bars busy year-round. Coquimbo has its own bars by the port.\r\n\r\nIn the Elqui Valley, nights are for stargazing rather than partying.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Avenida del Mar | Beach bars and clubs in summer\r\nCentro | Bars year-round\r\nCoquimbo | Port bars\r\nElqui | Stargazing nights","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for La Serena","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"The centre is walkable, and colectivos and buses run along the coast and to Coquimbo.\r\n\r\nLa Florida airport is a short taxi ride from the centre, with flights from Santiago. Buses from Santiago take around six to seven hours. Buses and colectivos run to Vicu\u00f1a in the Elqui Valley in around an hour.\r\n\r\nFor Punta de Choros, tours or a hire car are the easiest way, around two hours north.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"Airport | A short taxi ride from the centre\r\nFrom Santiago | Bus, about 6\u20137 hours\r\nTo Vicu\u00f1a | Bus or colectivo, about 1 hour\r\nPunta de Choros | Tour or hire car","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for La Serena","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What La Serena costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"La Serena is good value by Chilean standards. Dorm beds run from around \u20ac8 to \u20ac16, with prices rising in January and February, when Chileans flock to the beaches.\r\n\r\nObservatory tours, pisco tastings and the penguin boat trips are the main extras, all fairly priced.\r\n\r\nCards are widely accepted.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Dorm bed | Around \u20ac8\u201316\r\nSummer peak | Prices rise in January and February\r\nTours | Observatories, pisco and penguins\r\nCards | Widely accepted","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for La Serena","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"La Serena is generally safe. Take normal care with belongings on the beach and at night, especially in Coquimbo's port area.\r\n\r\nThe sea is cold and can have strong currents; swim where there are lifeguards. In the Elqui Valley, the sun is strong, so use sun cream and drink water.\r\n\r\nThe area is seismically active, as is all of Chile; follow tsunami evacuation signs on the coast. In an emergency, call 133 for police or 131 for an ambulance.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Emergency | 133 police, 131 ambulance\r\nBeaches | Swim near lifeguards\r\nTsunami routes | Signposted on the coast\r\nSun | Strong in the Elqui Valley","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for La Serena","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Worth leaving the city for","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"Stars, pisco and penguins.","hw_hub_city_trips":"Elqui Valley | About 1 hour to Vicu\u00f1a | Bus, colectivo or tour | Pisco distilleries, Gabriela Mistral's home and observatories. |  | 1306232\nCoquimbo | About 20 minutes | Colectivo or bus | The port, the fish market and the Cruz del Tercer Milenio. |  | 1306233","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from La Serena","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"La Serena is mild all year. Summer is busy with beachgoers; the Elqui Valley has clear skies most of the year, best for stargazing from spring to autumn. Coastal mornings are often cloudy.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Average highs, rounded. Morning coastal cloud is common.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 24 | 5 | Summer, busy beaches\r\nFebruary | 24 | 5 | Summer holidays\r\nMarch | 23 | 3 | Warm, calmer\r\nApril | 21 | 2 | Mild\r\nMay | 19 | 2 | Cooler, some cloud\r\nJune | 17 | 2 | Winter, coastal cloud\r\nJuly | 16 | 3 | Winter holidays\r\nAugust | 17 | 2 | Cool\r\nSeptember | 18 | 3 | Spring, Fiestas Patrias\r\nOctober | 19 | 2 | Clear skies\r\nNovember | 21 | 3 | Warm\r\nDecember | 23 | 4 | Summer begins","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"From film festivals to concerts by the sea.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"api","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in La Serena","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/south-america\/chile\/la-serena\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Summer beach season | January and February | La Serena | The busiest months on the coast. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on La Serena prices.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Summer costs more.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 10 | 11 | 3 | 8\r\nMiddle of the road | 18 | 20 | 6 | 20\r\nComfortable | 35 | 35 | 12 | 40","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in La Serena, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in La Serena","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/chile\/la-serena\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best for solo travellers |  |  | \nBest for a party |  |  | \nQuietest |  |  | ","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"La Serena questions","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"Is La Serena worth visiting? | Yes, especially for the Elqui Valley's stargazing and pisco, and the Humboldt penguins nearby. The city itself is pleasant for a day or two.\r\nHow do I get from La Serena to the Elqui Valley? | By bus or colectivo to Vicu\u00f1a, around an hour, or on a tour.\r\nCan I visit an observatory? | Yes. Several observatories in the Elqui Valley run night tours with telescopes. Book ahead.\r\nWhere can I see penguins near La Serena? | At the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve, by boat from Punta de Choros, around two hours north.\r\nHow do I get to La Serena from Santiago? | By bus, around six to seven hours, or a short flight.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit? | September to April. January and February are busy with Chilean holidaymakers.\r\nWhat is pisco? | A grape brandy, and the Elqui Valley is its heartland. Try it in a pisco sour or on a distillery tasting.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare hostels in La Serena: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in La Serena | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/chile\/la-serena\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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