Which place is cheaper, Kamakura or El Nido?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit El Nido or Kamakura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit El Nido or Kamakura? 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: El Nido or Kamakura?
El Nido
El Nido is a coastal destination on the Philippine island of Palawan. It consists of about 45 islands and islets all with beautiful beachfront scenery and plenty of opportunities for experiencing nature above and below the water. Some of the island's best features include limestone karst cliffs, coral reefs, lagoons, coves, and waterfalls.
Kamakura
An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEl Nido $39Kamakura $104
The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $39, while the average daily cost in Kamakura is $104. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for El Nido and Kamakura in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEl Nido $14Kamakura $75
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEl Nido $28Kamakura $150
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Kamakura
Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Kamakura? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: El Nido Hotel Prices and Kamakura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.El Nido $19Kamakura $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido
Also for El Nido, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $11
- Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $36
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $150
- Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Kamakura?
Prices for flights to both Kamakura and El Nido change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayEl Nido $12Kamakura $20
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.El Nido $5.38Kamakura $5.59
Tours and Activities in El Nido
For El Nido, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Island Hopping Tour A with lunch BEST PRICE!: $22
- Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches: $23
- Shared El Nido Tour A: $23
- Big Lagoon and Shimizu Island Tour with Kayaking: $23
- Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D: $23
- Island Hopping Tour B Cudognong Cave & More: $25
- El Nido Tour A: $27
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $27
- El Nido Tour D Full Day w/ Beach Lunch: $28
- El Nido Island Tour B w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $28
- Island Hopping Tour C (Shared tour) BEST PRICE!: $28
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine: $29
Tours and Activities in Kamakura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kamakura are as follows:
- 3 Hour Japanese Culture Tour in Kamakura Temples: $110
- 3-Hours Walking Tour in Kamakura: $94
- Audio Guide Tour of Historic Sites around Kamakura Station: $6.32
- Exciting Kamakura - One Day Tour from Tokyo: $249
- From Tokyo: Kamakura Private Customize Tour by Luxury Van: $455
- From Tokyo: Kamakura and Enoshima 1-Day Bus Tour: $57
- Full Day Kamakura Private Tour With English Speaking Driver: $505
- Full Day Private Discovering Tour in Kamakura: $153
- Half-Day Tour to Seven Gods of Fortune in Kamakura and Enoshima: $39
- Homemade Sushi and Supermarket Tour in Kamakura: $57
- Kamakura : Full Day with local guide. (Tickets included!): $113
- Kamakura Bamboo Forest and Great Buddha Private Tour: $174
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayEl Nido $8.36Kamakura $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Nido and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is El Nido much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to El Nido would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in El Nido 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura than you might in El Nido.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is El Nido Expensive? and Is Kamakura Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, El Nido or Kamakura?
Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Kamakura, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.