A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Lipe vs. Dewa Sanzan for Couples, Hiking, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Koh Lipe and Dewa Sanzan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is a local, tranquil, and idyllic island. Koh Lipe is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Koh Lipe travel costs.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a remote, traditional, and religious religious site. It's also known for hiking and museums. See Dewa Sanzan travel costs.

Koh Lipe and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Koh Lipe. Although Koh Lipe and Dewa Sanzan are popular destinations, Koh Lipe has more sights and attractions for tourists. Koh Lipe is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Dewa Sanzan attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Koh Lipe is famous for its world class scuba diving and snorkeling, as well as its small and local atmosphere. It is also well known for Sunrise Beach. Dewa Sanzan is famous for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Koh Lipe different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzan is very good for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Dewa Sanzan is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Koh Lipe. The island is small and all about beaches and the undersea world, so you won't find any temples or museums here.

Is the Food Better in Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Koh Lipe is very good for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Koh Lipe has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's enough of a restaurant selection that you'll find good local food and freshly caught seafood. The options change frequently as the tourist crowds have varied dramatically over the years, making it difficult for businesses to stay open.

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Neither Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan offer decent nightlife.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Koh Lipe. This is a small island that attracts tourists who want nature, beauty, and a serene and tranquil environment. You won't find much of a nightlife scene here.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Dewa Sanzan This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan Better for Resorts?

Koh Lipe is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Koh Lipe. There are a number of locally owned hotels on the island. Many have snorkeling gear for rent.

Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Lipe is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Koh Lipe is not to be missed. Although it is no longer the undiscovered island paradise that it once was, the snorkeling and diving on Koh Lipe remains some of the best in the country.

Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan Better for Beaches?

Koh Lipe is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Koh Lipe is a very popular vacation destination. Despite the island's small size, the beaches are truly spectacular. They have white sand and the undersea world is just steps away, so don't forget your mask and snorkel.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

You'll find very good hiking in both Koh Lipe and Dewa Sanzan.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Koh Lipe. The island of Koh Lipe doesn't have any hiking, but nearby Adang Island has some impressive hikes that offer views and small waterfalls. You can take a longtail boat for just a short ride to the nearby island.

Many visitors go to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking trails. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan?

Koh Lipe is a decent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Lipe has some nice offerings. The Walking Street is the main street through the island. Its where you'll find the island's shops and restaurants. Most are closed during the morning hours, but people begin to gather in the afternoon.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan More Beautiful?

Koh Lipe is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a destination known for its beauty.

Koh Lipe is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Many visitors consider this to be one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand. It still holds on to that undiscovered quality and the nearby national park offers excellent nature to explore.

Dewa Sanzan is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Koh Lipe is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Koh Lipe is very family-friendly. This is a perfect island to explore with kids. There are beautiful beaches, great snorkeling, and plenty of opportunities to check out wildlife. Your kids will also enjoy seeing the Sea la vie fire show.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly island. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Koh Lipe is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Koh Lipe has plenty to offer. With its stunning beaches and beautiful nature, this is a great couple's destination. The island has wonderful snorkeling and white sandy beaches that are perfect for exploring with a loved one.

Dewa Sanzan is a good island for couples to visit. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Is Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Lipe and Dewa Sanzan are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Lipe is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The island has become more popular than it was in years past, but it still offers a tranquil setting for those who are a bit jaded by the backpacker scene in Thailand.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dewa Sanzan. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

Is Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Koh Lipe and Dewa Sanzan.

Public transit is generally limited in Koh Lipe. There are longtail boats, motorbike taxis, and golf cart taxis that you can hire.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Koh Lipe is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Koh Lipe is a very walkable island. It's an easy island to explore on foot and you can walk from one end of the island to the other in about half an hour.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Lipe Worth Visiting? and Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Koh Lipe?

How long in Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Lipe and Dewa Sanzan. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Lipe than in Dewa Sanzan. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Lipe, and 2-3 days is enough time in Dewa Sanzan.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Lipe than Dewa Sanzan 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 Lipe.

One day in Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the idyllic island of Koh Lipe. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The religious site of Dewa Sanzan offers museums. 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 Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the local destination of Koh Lipe. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this religious site makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dewa Sanzan, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the tranquil island of Koh Lipe. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Dewa Sanzan 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 Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the destination of Koh Lipe. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this island.

Dewa Sanzan 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 religious site offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lipe and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Koh Lipe is more expensive. And not only is Dewa Sanzan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dewa Sanzan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dewa Sanzan 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 Koh Lipe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lipe than you might in Dewa Sanzan.

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

When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan?

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

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Lipe as well as Dewa Sanzan. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year.

In the summer, Koh Lipe is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Lipe in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 23°C (74°F).

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Koh Lipe receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in July than Dewa Sanzan. Koh Lipe gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Koh Lipe are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking trails.

In October, Koh Lipe is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 27°C (81°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. It's quite rainy in Koh Lipe. In October, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Koh Lipe gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Lipe is December to April. The rainy season in Koh Lipe is May to October.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Koh Lipe during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Dewa Sanzan can get quite cold in the winter. Koh Lipe is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Lipe averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Koh Lipe usually gets less rain in January than Dewa Sanzan. Koh Lipe gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lipe and Dewa Sanzan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round.

In the spring, Koh Lipe is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Lipe in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 9°C (47°F).

Koh Lipe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Koh Lipe gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe.

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Koh Lipe