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

Should you visit Eilat or Shiretoko National Park?

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

Should I visit Eilat or Shiretoko National Park? 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 Shiretoko National Park?

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.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park, Japan is comprises the entire Shiretoko Penninusla in the northeast island of Hokkaido. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be one of the most remote areas in Japan with very few and very small settlements. This makes Shiretoko the perfect place for a fun hiking and camping adventure.

While the park is open year round, the weather in the area tends to greatly affect the enjoyment of your trip due to harsh winters and heavy rain at the end of summer. There is a short period from May to early July that is considered the best time to visit due to slightly less rain and comfortable temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eilat and Shiretoko National Park, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Shiretoko National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat is in Middle East and Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park.

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

When is the best time to visit Eilat or Shiretoko National Park?

Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Eilat as well as Shiretoko National Park. Eilat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Shiretoko National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Eilat this time of the year. Eilat is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Eilat this time of the year. In the summer, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park. Eilat gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 hours of full sun.

Eilat usually gets less rain in July than Shiretoko National Park. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Eilat or Shiretoko National Park in the Autumn?

Both Shiretoko National Park 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, most visitors come to Shiretoko National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Eilat is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Eilat in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about 10°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Eilat. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park during autumn. Eilat gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 158 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Eilat usually receives less rain than Shiretoko National Park. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Eilat or Shiretoko National Park in the Winter?

Both Shiretoko National Park 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.

The weather in Shiretoko National Park can be very cold. In January, Eilat is generally much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 14°C (57°F), and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around -6°C (20°F).

It's quite sunny in Eilat. In the winter, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park. Eilat gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 108 hours of full sun.

Eilat usually gets less rain in January than Shiretoko National Park. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Eilat or Shiretoko National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Eilat and Shiretoko National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat year-round. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Shiretoko National Park this time of year.

It's quite cold in Shiretoko National Park in the spring. Eilat is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In Eilat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park during spring. Eilat gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Eilat usually receives less rain than Shiretoko National Park. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Shiretoko National Park and Eilat