La Serena
Travelers come to La Serena for Pacific beaches, a compact colonial center and day trips into the Elqui Valley for pisco and clear night skies.
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La Serena is a coastal city in the Coquimbo Region of north-central Chile, about 470 km north of Santiago, near the mouth of the Elqui River. Founded in 1544, it is one of the oldest cities in Chile. Its compact center has colonial-era streets, the Plaza de Armas and several historic churches, and the Pacific coast is a short ride away.
The city suits a relaxed stay of two to three days, with time for the beaches and a day in the Elqui Valley. The valley is known for pisco distilleries, vineyards and observatories, and its dry air keeps the nights clear. The climate is sunny and mild for much of the year. The warmest months, roughly December through February, bring the most beach crowds, so spring or autumn suits anyone who wants fewer people on the sand.
La Serena in five
- Get offline maps before the valleySignal can drop on the road into the Elqui Valley. Download the area in Google Maps before you leave La Serena.Phones and eSIM
- Book the observatory night tour aheadElqui Valley observatories run evening tours with telescopes. The valley turns cold after dark, so bring a warm layer.
- Carry Chilean pesos for small faresMany colectivos, market stalls and village shops take cash only. Cards work in hotels and restaurants in the city center.Money and costs
- Take the bus to Vicuña from the city terminalBuses for Vicuña leave the La Serena bus terminal and run up the Elqui Valley on Ruta 41. Check departure times at the terminal before you plan the day.Getting around
- Plan beach mornings around the coastal fogCamanchaca, a low sea fog, often covers the coast in the morning, especially in winter. Go to the beaches later in the day if you want sun.
Things to do in La Serena
See all attractions in La Serena
Need to know
- Currency
- Chilean peso (CLP)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; some need a visa Read more
- Emergency
- 133 police (Carabineros), 131 ambulance, 132 fire
- Tipping
- About 10% in restaurants; check for a propina line on the bill
- Time
- UTC-4, with UTC-3 daylight saving in southern summer
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear0 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Peak beach seasonJanuaryClear
Good
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak beach season
- FebruaryClear0 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Hot, dryFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- MarchClear0 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Warm, clearMarchClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- AprilClear0 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Mild, clearAprilClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- MayClear2 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Cool, fogMayClear
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, fog
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Cold, mistyJuneClear
Poor
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, misty
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Coldest, mistyJulyClear
Poor
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Coldest, misty
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh17°Low10°Cool, mistyAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, misty
- SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Spring startsSeptemberClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- OctoberClear1 rainy dayHigh18°Low12°Mild, clearOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- NovemberClear0 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Warm, quieterNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quieter
- DecemberClear0 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Summer, busyDecemberClear
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Summer, busy
Average daily high and low in La Serena, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in La Serena
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 19°
- Humidity
- 60%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
La Serena
05:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°15°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue21°16°11%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Wed25°13°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu24°14°0%Thursday: Clear. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri26°14°0%Friday: Clear. High 26°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat23°14°4%Saturday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun23°16°10%Sunday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 10%.
Updated 03:01 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 990.8 CLP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Vicuñaabout 1 hour by roadThe valley town for observatory tours and pisco tasting.
- Coquimboabout 20 min by busHarbor, fishing cove and beaches, an easy half day.
- Pisco Elquiabout 2 hours by roadA small valley town known for its pisco distilleries.
Before you go to La Serena
Rules for La Serena, checked
- Check Chile's entry requirements on the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones site before you fly, since visa rules depend on your passport.Source
- Declare all fresh food, plants and animal products on arrival; the agriculture service SAG can confiscate them. Check its rules at sag.gob.cl.Source
- Obey lifeguard flags and posted warnings on Pacific beaches, where currents can be strong.
Plan around La Serena
Entry, regions and getting between them
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and what to check before you fly
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses to Vicuña and the coast, and taxis in the city
Read the guideMoney and cardsPaying in pesos and when cash is needed
Read the guideWhere to stayBases for the city, the coast and the Elqui Valley
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData for maps and offline use in the Elqui Valley
Read the guideLa Serena FAQ
Is La Serena worth visiting?
Yes, for two or three days if you want beaches, the Elqui Valley's observatories and a slower pace. It is smaller and quieter than Santiago.
How do you get from Santiago to La Serena?
Fly into La Florida airport (LSC) in about an hour, or take a long-distance bus of about 7 hours. Flights are the faster choice for a short trip.
How many days do you need in La Serena?
Three days covers the city, Coquimbo's harbor and one day in the Elqui Valley. Add a night in Vicuña if you want an observatory tour.
Where should I stay in La Serena?
Stay in the center for walking to the Plaza de Armas and restaurants, or on the beachfront for sea air. Choose Vicuña if the night sky is the reason you came.
Do I need a car in La Serena?
Not in the city, where buses and taxis cover most trips. A car helps for the Elqui Valley and remote observatories.
When is the best time to visit La Serena?
March to April and October to November, when the weather is mild and the skies are clear.
Can you visit the Elqui Valley on a day trip?
Yes. Vicuña is about an hour by road, so a day trip works, but a night tour means staying overnight.