A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Eilat vs. Okinawa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Eilat or Okinawa?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Eilat or Okinawa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Eilat or Okinawa?

Eilat

Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.

Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.

Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.

Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Okinawa

Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture of Japan and includes hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands. The chain of islands is off the southern mainland portion of the country and is made up of 49 inhabited islands and over one hundred uninhabited islands. Naha is Okinawa's capital, which is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eilat and Okinawa, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Okinawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat is in Middle East and Okinawa is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Okinawa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Okinawa 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 Eilat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eilat than you might in Okinawa.

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

Which is Bigger, Eilat or Okinawa?

Okinawa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Eilat. When comparing the sizes of Eilat and Okinawa, 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.

When is the best time to visit Eilat or Okinawa?

Okinawa has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Eilat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Eilat or Okinawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Eilat as well as Okinawa. Eilat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Okinawa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Eilat this time of the year. Eilat is a little warmer than Okinawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Okinawa fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Okinawa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Eilat this time of the year. In the summer, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Okinawa. Eilat gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Okinawa receives 258 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Okinawa. Eilat usually gets less rain in July than Okinawa. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Eilat or Okinawa in the Autumn?

Both Okinawa and Eilat are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Okinawa this time of year.

In the autumn, Eilat is around the same temperature as Okinawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Eilat in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Okinawa averages at about 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Eilat. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Okinawa during autumn. Eilat gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Okinawa receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Okinawa. In October, Eilat usually receives less rain than Okinawa. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Eilat or Okinawa in the Winter?

Both Okinawa and Eilat during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Okinawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Eilat is generally cooler than Okinawa. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 14°C (57°F), and Okinawa fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Eilat. In the winter, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Okinawa. Eilat gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Okinawa receives 96 hours of full sun.

Okinawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Eilat usually gets less rain in January than Okinawa. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Eilat or Okinawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Eilat and Okinawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Okinawa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Eilat is a little warmer than Okinawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Okinawa fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Eilat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Okinawa during spring. Eilat gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Okinawa receives 149 hours of full sun in the spring.

Okinawa receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Eilat usually receives less rain than Okinawa. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Okinawa and Eilat