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

Should you visit Koh Lanta or Kamakura?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Koh Lanta and Kamakura can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is a quiet, beautiful, and off-the-beaten-path island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a charming, laid back, and ancient coastal city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Koh Lanta and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lanta or Kamakura?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kamakura. Although Koh Lanta and Kamakura are popular destinations, Kamakura has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamakura is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Koh Lanta attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Kamakura is more touristy than Koh Lanta and is known for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also well known for the Great Buddha. Koh Lanta is famous for it's long and sandy beaches, its idyllic paradise atmosphere, and its beautiful national park.

How is Koh Lanta different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kamakura is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Kamakura. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Koh Lanta. Nature and tranquil beauty are what this island is all about, so you won't find much in the form of museums or temples.

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

Foodies will find both Koh Lanta and Kamakura both to be excellent destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Koh Lanta. There are local markets that pop up in different places each day of the week. You may even get to sample deep-fried cicadas or dried fish. If you're looking for a more mainstream flavor, there are also curries and seafood dishes that are often locally caught.

Kamakura has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Is Koh Lanta or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Kamakura know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Koh Lanta has a few options to choose from. This is one of the most chill islands in Thailand, so you won't find the hardcore party scene of some of the more backpacker heavy islands. That doesn't mean you won't find live music or places to hang out any night of the week.

Is Koh Lanta or Kamakura Better for Resorts?

Koh Lanta is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Kamakura is not a resort destination.

Koh Lanta is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Most of the hotels and resorts are small, family-owned businesses that have a local and welcoming atmosphere.

Kamakura is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Lanta is a well-known place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Koh Lanta. There are snorkeling and diving trips that leave from the island daily. It's also possible to snorkel off some of the beaches around the island without organizing a group trip.

Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Koh Lanta 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 Lanta. For a quiet and tranquil beach holiday, this is your spot. You can enjoy long walks along sandy beaches on the north side of the island, and on the south side you'll find dramatic beauty. The most well known beach is Long Beach, which is also the longest on the island.

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 Koh Lanta or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its old town. However, Koh Lanta does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Kamakura to see the old town. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Koh Lanta does not have a historic old town.

Is Koh Lanta or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Koh Lanta 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 Lanta is a popular spot for hiking. You'll find hiking trails in Koh Lanta National Park, which is at the southern tip of the island. You'll wander through the jungle, see wildlife, and take in breathtaking views.

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 Koh Lanta or Kamakura?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Kamakura offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Shopping in Koh Lanta can be found for those interested. The island doesn't have the huge tourist crowds of many places in Thailand, so you'll find few shops in the towns. If you need to buy clothes or other items, it's better to go to the mainland.

Is Koh Lanta or Kamakura Better for Families?

Koh Lanta is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Koh Lanta is a very family-friendly place to visit. This is among the best island's in Thailand for kids. The waters are calm and the nightlife scene is relaxed. There are hotels that have kiddy pools and some even have kid's clubs. There are also kid-friendly menus at many of the restaurants.

Kamakura is a family-friendly island. 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.

Is Koh Lanta or Kamakura Better for Couples?

Koh Lanta 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 Lanta makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The laid back vibe offers a bit of romance for couples. The beaches are beautiful and the island isn't as built up as many islands are in Thailand. And while you'll find places to go in the evening near the backpacker areas, most of the island has a chill and relaxed atmosphere.

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 Koh Lanta or Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Lanta and Kamakura are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Lanta is a good island to visit for backpackers. You'll find backpackers on almost every island in Thailand, but this one is a bit more chill than most. It's not as touristy as most of the country's southern islands, but there are still enough amenities to make it comfortable.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kamakura. 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 Koh Lanta or Kamakura Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its public transit. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Kamakura, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Public transit is quite limited in Koh Lanta. There really isn't any public transit on the island. Most visitors hire taxis or rent motorbikes to get around.

Is Koh Lanta or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

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

Koh Lanta is not a very walkable island. While there are some parts of the island that can be explored on foot, most people get around by motorbike.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Koh Lanta?

How long in Koh Lanta or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Koh Lanta or Kamakura to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Koh Lanta than Kamakura because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Lanta, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamakura.

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

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

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

One day in Koh Lanta or Kamakura?

The beautiful island of Koh Lanta 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal city of Kamakura. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kamakura has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Lanta or Kamakura?

Koh Lanta 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 Lanta, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Kamakura. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Lanta or Kamakura?

Koh Lanta is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Lanta, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the ancient coastal city of Kamakura. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Lanta or Kamakura?

Koh Lanta is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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.

Kamakura is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Kamakura?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta 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.

When is the best time to visit Koh Lanta or Kamakura?

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

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Kamakura in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Kamakura. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round. Also, many visitors come to Kamakura in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (81°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Koh Lanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during summer. Koh Lanta gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Kamakura in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Kamakura. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Koh Lanta is much warmer than Kamakura in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Kamakura fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Koh Lanta often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Koh Lanta gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in October than Kamakura. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Kamakura in the Winter?

Both Kamakura and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Koh Lanta is much warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Lanta in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Kamakura averages at about 6°C (43°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during winter. Koh Lanta gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koh Lanta usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kamakura. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Lanta is January to April.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Kamakura in the Spring?

Both Kamakura and Koh Lanta during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.

In April, Koh Lanta is generally much warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 29°C (85°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Koh Lanta. In the spring, Koh Lanta often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Koh Lanta gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets less rain in April than Kamakura. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year. January to April is the dry season in Koh Lanta. June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta.

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Koh Lanta