A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dewa Sanzan vs. Railay Beach for Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach?

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 Dewa Sanzan and Railay Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a religious, sacred, and remote religious site. It's also known for hiking and museums.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a dramatic, spectacular, and fun-filled beach area. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Dewa Sanzan and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Railay Beach. Although Dewa Sanzan and Railay Beach are popular destinations, Railay Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Railay Beach is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Dewa Sanzan attracts visitors for its museums and hiking. Railay Beach is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is popular for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing. It is also well known for Phra Nang Cave. Dewa Sanzan is famous for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Dewa Sanzan different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Railay Beach and Dewa Sanzan. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach?

Dewa Sanzan is very good for its sights and museums. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its museums and history.

Dewa Sanzan is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Railay Beach. This is an adventure sport destination that is popular for rock climbing and its scenic beauty. Therefore, there are no real museums or temples in the area.

Is the Food Better in Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Railay Beach is very good for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Railay Beach has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a number of tourist oriented restaurants. Many are affiliated with hotels and resorts and serve the standard Thai options along with pizza and burgers.

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

Railay Beach is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Railay Beach. It's a secluded area with a decent number of laid back bars that are usually associated with hotels or resorts. There's also a young crowd, including backpackers, who come for the beautiful setting and great rock climbing. This population insures that there's always something going on at night.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Railay Beach. You'll find a mix of beachside resorts and budget hotels, as well as a number of hostels in the area.

Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Railay Beach is an excellent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Railay Beach. There are dive centers that offer both snorkeling and dive trips to nearby areas.

Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

Railay Beach is an excellent place to visit for the beache. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Railay Beach is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beaches are famous for their dramatic limestone cliffs. There are three areas: Railay Beach West is scenic with its surrounding cliffs and popular resorts. This is the place to swim or watch the sunset. Railay Beach East is most popular for its rock climbing. You should also check out Phra Nang Cave Beach, which is the location of Phra Nang Cave.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Railay Beach is not a hiking destination.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular spot for hiking. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Railay Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach?

Railay Beach is a decent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

If you're looking to go shopping, Railay Beach has some nice offerings. The Walking Street has shops that sell bathing suits or anything you may have forgotten.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach Better for Families?

Railay Beach is very good for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Railay Beach is a family-friendly beach area. This is a favorite beach area for many visitors to Thailand. It's only accessible by water and it offers adventure sports and calm waters that are nice for kids.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly religious site. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach Better for Couples?

Railay Beach is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Railay Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Rock climbing is a favorite activity here, and couples who have an adventurous spirit will enjoy this dramatic location.

Dewa Sanzan is a good religious site for couples to visit. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Railay Beach is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Railay Beach. There's no shortage of affordable accommodation that attracts budget travelers and backpackers. The area's world class rock climbing also appeals to the young and adventurous crowd.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dewa Sanzan. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find reasonable public transit in both Dewa Sanzan and Railay Beach.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Public transit is generally limited in Railay Beach. The area is only accessible by boat and there is no road transportation.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Railay Beach. The area has no cars or road transportation so everything, including the beaches are easy to walk to.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

For even more information, also check out Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting? and Is Railay Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Dewa Sanzan?

How long in Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach?

It's fun to spend time in either Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Railay Beach due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Dewa Sanzan, and 2-4 days is enough time in Railay Beach.

Families should spend more time in Railay Beach than Dewa Sanzan. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Railay Beach, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Railay Beach than Dewa Sanzan. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Railay Beach that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Railay Beach than Dewa Sanzan if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Railay Beach.

One day in Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach?

In Dewa Sanzan, many people enjoy the museums that this religious religious site offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the adventurous beach area of Railay Beach. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach?

Dewa Sanzan is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the fun-filled destination of Railay Beach. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This beach area offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach?

You'll find museums around the sacred destination of Dewa Sanzan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

The fun-filled beach area of Railay Beach offers scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach?

Dewa Sanzan is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Railay Beach. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dewa Sanzan and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Dewa Sanzan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dewa Sanzan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dewa Sanzan 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 Railay Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Railay Beach than you might in Dewa Sanzan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dewa Sanzan Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach?

Dewa Sanzan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Railay Beach experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dewa Sanzan as well as Railay Beach. The summer months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the hiking. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

In July, Dewa Sanzan is generally cooler than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Dewa Sanzan average around 23°C (74°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. In the summer, Dewa Sanzan often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Dewa Sanzan gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 206 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Dewa Sanzan usually gets less rain in July than Railay Beach. Dewa Sanzan gets 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Railay Beach is the rainy season.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

Both Railay Beach and Dewa Sanzan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Dewa Sanzan is much colder than Railay Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dewa Sanzan averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Dewa Sanzan usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during autumn. Dewa Sanzan gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. In October, Dewa Sanzan usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Dewa Sanzan gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Railay Beach is December to March. The rainy season in Railay Beach is August to October.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach in the Winter?

Both Railay Beach and Dewa Sanzan during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the museums and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dewa Sanzan. In the winter, Dewa Sanzan is much colder than Railay Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dewa Sanzan in January average around -1°C (30°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 28°C (82°F).

In Railay Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Dewa Sanzan often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Dewa Sanzan gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. Dewa Sanzan usually gets more rain in January than Railay Beach. Dewa Sanzan gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Railay Beach.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Railay Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dewa Sanzan and Railay Beach. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Dewa Sanzan is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Dewa Sanzan average around 9°C (47°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Railay Beach this time of the year. Dewa Sanzan usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during spring. Dewa Sanzan gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Dewa Sanzan usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Dewa Sanzan gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Dewa Sanzan