A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kamakura vs. Koh Phi Phi for Beaches, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi? 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.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a laid back, ancient, and quaint coastal city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is a dramatic, stunning, and beautiful island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Kamakura and Koh Phi Phi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Koh Phi Phi. Although Kamakura and Koh Phi Phi are popular destinations, Koh Phi Phi has more sights and attractions for tourists. Koh Phi Phi is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Kamakura attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. Koh Phi Phi is more touristy than Kamakura and is popular for its stunningly beautiful beaches, world-class snorkeling and diving, and wild booze cruises. It is also well known for Koh Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay. Kamakura is famous for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches.

How is Kamakura different from Koh Phi Phi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koh Phi Phi and Kamakura. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi?

Kamakura is great for its historical sights. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Kamakura offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

Koh Phi Phi offers a few options for museum-goers. It's an island paradise with world class beaches and stunning natural beauty, but if you're looking for museums, temples, and culture, then you'll likely want to head farther north to Northern Thailand.

Is the Food Better in Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kamakura is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Koh Phi Phi is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Kamakura has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Koh Phi Phi area. Most dishes feature seafood, and you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants around Tonsai Village. There are also restaurants dotting the way to Long Beach. Many restaurants offer outdoor seating, or a combination of an indoor/outdoor setting. Tropical fruit is also abundant on the island and adds to that tropical paradise atmosphere.

Is Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi Better for Nightlife?

Both Kamakura and Koh Phi Phi are high quality when it comes to partying.

Kamakura offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

Koh Phi Phi has a large number of nightlife venues. Despite its smaller size, there is still a party vibe and tons of nightlife on the island. Backpackers have long flocked to this island, building on the reputation it earned from movies like "The Beach." Booze cruises and all night beach parties are the norm here, so it won't be hard to find a party that lasts until sunrise.

Is Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi Better for Resorts?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Kamakura is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Koh Phi Phi is a great choice. Despite it's popularity with backpackers and small size, this island also has some of Thailand's most luxurious resorts. Head to Long Beach or Laem Tong to appreciate the quieter side of the island.

Kamakura is not a resort destination.

Is Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Koh Phi Phi a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The dramatic limestone cliffs and colorful coral make this a top scuba diving and snorkeling destination in Thailand. There are countless vendors who offer scuba diving or snorkeling trips from the island. You might even see sharks, sea turtles, or seahorses during your trip. Head to the reef at dusk for the best chance of seeing black tip reef sharks.

Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi Better for Beaches?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for its beaches. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for the beache.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Koh Phi Phi. This island has some of the most dramatic beauty in Thailand and the beaches will not disappoint. Although it's usually referred to as an island, Koh Phi Phi is actually a small archipelago with Koh Phi Phi Don being the only inhabited island. Nearby Koh Phi Phi Leh is famous as the filming place of the movie "The Beach" (which you'll hear playing at hotels around the island every night). The beaches are beautiful with white sand and clear water. It truly is a tropical paradise.

Many people head to Kamakura to enjoy the beach. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Is Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a popular place for its old town. However, Koh Phi Phi does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kamakura. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Koh Phi Phi does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi Better for Hiking?

Koh Phi Phi is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its hiking trails.

Koh Phi Phi is a popular spot for hiking. With its dramatic cliffs, this area has beautiful, but challenging hikes that take you to stunning viewpoints. The dramatic photos that you see of the islands often require a hike, but the reward at the end is well worth it.

Many people include a hike when visiting Kamakura. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Is the Shopping Better in Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi?

Kamakura is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamakura. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Koh Phi Phi has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. Shopping is limited on the island but you'll find a few souvenir shops with trinkets that you can purchase. Because it's an island, you can expect prices to be high.

Is Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi Better for Families?

Kamakura is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Kamakura offers lots of family activities. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Koh Phi Phi is not the most family-friendly destination. This island is on the smaller side and it has a remote tropical island atmosphere. The best side of the island for families is the north end where you'll find the quietest and most beautiful beaches. It's best to avoid the area around Tonsai which has the highest concentration of backpackers and day trippers.

Is Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi Better for Couples?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its romantic activities.

Koh Phi Phi makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Stunning beaches, dramatic landscapes, excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, and a remote tropical atmosphere make this is a great place for couples and honeymooners. Head to the quieter north side of the island where you'll find the better resorts and less backpackers, as well as the best beaches.

Kamakura makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Is Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Phi Phi is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Most people visit this island as a day trip, but for those who linger, they'll be rewarded with dramatic landscapes and beautiful beaches. Most backpackers hang out around Tonsai where things are the cheapest, but the quality can also be very poor.

Kamakura is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

Is Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Kamakura and Koh Phi Phi offer nice public transit options.

Kamakura has a few public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Koh Phi Phi has some public transit options. There are water taxis and private boats that you can hire.

Is Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi a more walkable city?

Kamakura and Koh Phi Phi both are nice when exploring on foot.

Kamakura is somewhat walkable. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

Koh Phi Phi is a somewhat walkable place. You can't walk all of the way around the island because of the cliffs, but you can walk from Tonsai to Long Beach.

For even more information, also check out Is Kamakura Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Phi Phi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Phi Phi or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kamakura and Koh Phi Phi. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Phi Phi than in Kamakura. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kamakura, and 2-3 days is enough time in Koh Phi Phi.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Phi Phi than Kamakura 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 Koh Phi Phi.

One day in Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming coastal city of Kamakura. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The beautiful island of Koh Phi Phi offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Kamakura. This coastal city 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.

Koh Phi Phi is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Phi Phi, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi?

The laid back coastal city of Kamakura offers shopping and museums. 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.

Koh Phi Phi is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kamakura. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Koh Phi Phi is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kamakura and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is Koh Phi Phi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Phi Phi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi.

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

Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura and Koh Phi Phi, 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 Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Koh Phi Phi. The summer months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.

In the summer, Kamakura is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kamakura in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. In the summer, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Kamakura gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 206 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kamakura usually gets less rain in July than Koh Phi Phi. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi in the Autumn?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Kamakura is generally much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 18°C (64°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during autumn. Kamakura gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In October, Kamakura usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Phi Phi is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Phi Phi is May to November.

Should I visit Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi in the Winter?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Kamakura during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kamakura for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.

Kamakura is much colder than Koh Phi Phi in the winter. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Koh Phi Phi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Kamakura gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 hours of full sun.

Kamakura usually gets more rain in January than Koh Phi Phi. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Koh Phi Phi.

Should I visit Kamakura or Koh Phi Phi in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Koh Phi Phi. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the spring for the beaches. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Kamakura is much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kamakura in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 29°C (84°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Phi Phi this time of the year. Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during spring. Kamakura gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koh Phi Phi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Koh Phi Phi. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi.

Typical Weather for Koh Phi Phi and Kamakura