A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Lipe vs. Sendai for Beaches, Couples, Families, and Food

Should you visit Koh Lipe or Sendai?

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 Sendai can help you decide which place is right for you.

Koh Lipe

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

Sendai

Sendai is a high energy, vibrant, and cosmopolitan city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Koh Lipe and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lipe or Sendai?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sendai. Although Koh Lipe and Sendai are popular destinations, Sendai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sendai is very popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Lipe attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Sendai is more touristy than Koh Lipe and is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. It is also well known for the statue of Lord Masamune. Koh Lipe is famous for its world class scuba diving and snorkeling, as well as its small and local atmosphere.

How is Koh Lipe different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sendai 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 Sendai?

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

Many visitors head to Sendai specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

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 Sendai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Koh Lipe and Sendai offer a number of nice restaurants to choose from.

Koh Lipe offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Sendai has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Koh Lipe or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

Sendai is a great destination for nightlife. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

The people in Sendai know how to have a good time. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

The nightlife scene is quiet 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.

Is Koh Lipe or Sendai Better for Resorts?

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

Koh Lipe is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are a number of locally owned hotels on the island. Many have snorkeling gear for rent.

Sendai is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Sendai Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Lipe is renowned for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Koh Lipe specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Koh Lipe is renowned for the beache. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

The beaches in Koh Lipe are among the best in the world. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sendai. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Is Koh Lipe or Sendai Better for Hiking?

Koh Lipe is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lipe or Sendai?

Sendai is a great destination for shopping. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for its shopping opportunities.

Sendai is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

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.

Is Koh Lipe or Sendai Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Koh Lipe or Sendai.

Koh Lipe is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sendai is very family-friendly. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

Is Koh Lipe or Sendai Better for Couples?

Koh Lipe is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Koh Lipe has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Sendai is a good island for couples to visit. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

Is Koh Lipe or Sendai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Lipe and Sendai 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 Sendai. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

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

Sendai is a great destination for its public transit. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Sendai can move around easily with public transportation. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

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

Is Koh Lipe or Sendai a more walkable city?

Koh Lipe and Sendai both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Koh Lipe is very walkable. 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.

Sendai is a very walkable island. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Koh Lipe?

How long in Koh Lipe or Sendai?

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

Families should spend more time in Koh Lipe than Sendai. 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 Sendai. 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 Sendai than Koh Lipe 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 Sendai.

One day in Koh Lipe or Sendai?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the destination of Koh Lipe. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Sendai offers food and shopping. 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 Sendai?

Koh Lipe is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Koh Lipe or Sendai?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Lipe. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Sendai 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 Sendai?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the local destination of Koh Lipe. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Sendai is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city 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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

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 Sendai Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe or Sendai?

Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Lipe as well as Sendai. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Koh Lipe is a little warmer than Sendai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Lipe in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Sendai averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite rainy in Sendai. Koh Lipe receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in July than Sendai. Koh Lipe gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Sendai in the Autumn?

Both Sendai 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 visitors come to Sendai in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Koh Lipe is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 27°C (81°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. It's quite rainy in Koh Lipe. In October, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Sendai. Koh Lipe gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 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 Sendai in the Winter?

Both Sendai 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, most visitors come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sendai can be very cold during winter. Koh Lipe is much warmer than Sendai in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Lipe averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in January than Sendai. Koh Lipe gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Sendai in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lipe and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Koh Lipe is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Lipe in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Sendai averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Koh Lipe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Sendai. Koh Lipe gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 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 Sendai and Koh Lipe