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Weather in La Serena
Colonial grace and Elqui Valley stargazing
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About La Serena
A remarkable destination worth exploring.
Best months to visit
January, February, March, April, November, December
Things to do in La Serena
Explore
Dine
Culture
Nature
Shopping
Day trips
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
Recommended
January
23C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
February
24C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
March
22C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
April
20C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
May
19C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
June
17C
Cool, and mostly sunny skies.
July
17C
Cool, and mostly sunny skies.
August
18C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
September
18C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
October
20C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
November
21C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
December
22C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
La Serena is Chile's second-oldest city, a relaxed beach resort of colonial churches and palm-lined avenues that's also the gateway to the Elqui Valley's vineyards and some of the clearest night skies on Earth. By day, families fill the long sandy beachfront shared with neighbouring Coquimbo; by night, observatories in the surrounding hills — both professional and tourist-friendly — open up views of the Southern Hemisphere stars that are hard to match anywhere else.
Best areas to stay in La Serena
La Serena city centre
The colonial heart, with whitewashed churches, the Plaza de Armas, and a lively craft market.
Avenida del Mar
The long beachfront promenade connecting La Serena to Coquimbo, lined with hotels and seafood restaurants.
Vicuña
A small town an hour inland in the Elqui Valley, a good base for pisco distillery visits and stargazing tours.
Coquimbo
The neighbouring port city, known for its hillside Cruz del Tercer Milenio monument and lively waterfront.
Getting to La Serena
✈
Flights
Fly into La Florida Airport (ALA) via Santiago (SCL).
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From London
~20-22 hours from London including connections via Santiago.
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Getting around
Local buses (micros) and taxis connect La Serena and Coquimbo; tours run inland to the Elqui Valley for stargazing and pisco visits.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit La Serena?
December to March offers the warmest beach weather, though the Elqui Valley and stargazing tours are good year-round given the region's famously clear, dry skies.
Can you visit the observatories near La Serena?
Yes — tourist observatories like Mamalluca and Cerro Tololo (with advance booking) offer night tours with telescopes, while professional observatories occasionally run public viewings.
What is the Elqui Valley known for?
Pisco production — the valley is Chile's main pisco region, with distillery tours available, alongside vineyards, charming villages, and dramatic mountain scenery.
How do I get to La Serena?
La Serena has its own airport (ALA) with flights from Santiago (around 1 hour), or it's a 6-7 hour bus journey along the coast.
Is La Serena good for families?
Yes, the long sandy beachfront, mild weather, and relaxed pace make it a popular domestic family holiday spot.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
The night sky tour from Vicuña was incredible, saw the Milky Way and Saturn's rings through the telescope. Genuinely one of the best things we did in Chile.
Renata G. · February 2024
★★★★☆
Lovely relaxed beach town, good for a couple of days between the desert and Santiago. The seafood in Coquimbo was excellent.
Liam C. · December 2023
★★★★★
Pisco tasting in the Elqui Valley was a highlight, beautiful drive through the mountains and very friendly small distilleries.
Pia M. · March 2024
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