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

Should you visit Koh Samui or Kamakura?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui 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.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a tropical, rainforest-covered, and lush resort island. You'll find world class beauty in Koh Samui as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Koh Samui travel costs.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a laid back, ancient, and quaint coastal city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Kamakura travel costs.

Koh Samui and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Kamakura?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Koh Samui than Kamakura, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Koh Samui is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Kamakura is more popular for its museums and attractions and historical sights. Koh Samui is more touristy than Kamakura and is popular for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. Also, Koh Samui is famous for The Big Buddha Temple. Kamakura is well known for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches.

How is Koh Samui different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kamakura is a great coastal city for its historical sights. However, Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

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 Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Koh Samui and Kamakura can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

Koh Samui has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Food on the island is fresh and delicious. You'll find fine dining restaurants as well as hole-in-the-wall dives where you can enjoy local flavors. There are also international restaurants if you need a break from the curries. Beachfront restaurants offer a beautiful setting and sunset dinner cruises are a not-to-be-missed experience. Authentically local dishes usually include some form of coconut but there are also other common Thai dishes available almost anywhere like curries or Pad Thai.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kamakura makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Samui or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Koh Samui is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Koh Samui is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. All night beach parties, cheap bars, and lively dance clubs all give this island its party atmosphere. Young travelers from around the globe head here to enjoy music, cheap drinks, and world class fun. For the most active nightlife, head to Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach or Bophut Beach.

Kamakura has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Is Koh Samui or Kamakura Better for Resorts?

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

For the ultimate resort vacation, Koh Samui is a great choice. The island is filled with countless resorts, hotels, and private villas that you can rent. You can choose from beachfront properties or resorts that are located in the hills, which offer beautiful views. The resorts often have pools and range from five star all the way down to budget-friendly.

Kamakura is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Samui 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 Samui. It's easy to arrange snorkeling or scuba diving trips through hotels or travel companies, but it's also possible to snorkel right off the shore in places like Chaweng Beach. Due to the island's popularity, the coral isn't always the healthiest, but the water is clear and you'll likely see some interesting sea life just off the shore.

Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Kamakura Better for Beaches?

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

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Koh Samui. The white sand beaches are lined with coconut trees and look out on crystal blue waters, making this a perfect tropical destination. There are lively activity-filled beaches as well as quiet retreats where you can enjoy a peaceful setting away from the crowds.

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 Samui or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

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

Kamakura has an old town worth visiting. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Koh Samui does not have a historic old town.

Is Koh Samui or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Koh Samui 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 Samui is a popular spot for hiking. Hikes will take you inland through the beautiful rainforest. There are hidden waterfalls as well as Buddha gardens and ridge trails with breathtaking views. Hikes range from easy to challenging, so make sure you understand the skill level required before you set out.

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 Samui or Kamakura?

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Samui and Kamakura both offer plenty of notable spots.

Koh Samui has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The resort areas have the most interesting shops and you'll find the most options around Chaweng. There are boutique shops as well as some malls. You can sometimes negotiate prices down in independently run stores, but some places advertise fixed prices.

Kamakura is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Is Koh Samui or Kamakura More Beautiful?

Koh Samui is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Koh Samui as well. It's laid back vibe and quintessential beach setting make this a wonderful holiday destination. It's the second largest island in Thailand and there are resorts, hotels, and restaurants for everyone.

Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Samui or Kamakura Better for Families?

Koh Samui 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 Samui is a very family-friendly place to visit. The island is one of the slightly calmer, family-friendly options in Thailand. It has a number of activities that all ages can enjoy including water parks, water sports, and temples to explore. Snorkeling is also fun and there's an aquarium and zoo that you can check out.

Kamakura is a family-friendly resort 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 Samui or Kamakura Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Koh Samui and Kamakura make for a high quality place to visit.

Koh Samui is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. Dinner cruises, beachfront restaurants, and beautiful sunsets all make this island a romantic destination for couples. There are also spas, resorts, and fine dining restaurants that you can enjoy.

Kamakura is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Samui or Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Samui is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Koh Samui. The island feels a bit more like a holiday destination than a backpacker destination, but it still has a lively nightlife and affordable accommodation around Lamai Beach. It's also a nice place to go for yoga or Muay Thai classes.

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

Koh Samui and Kamakura both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Koh Samui offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Songthaew, the Thai version of a bus, and taxis or motorbikes are the best ways to get around the island.

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.

Is Koh Samui or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Kamakura is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Samui is not known for its walkability.

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

Koh Samui is generally not very walkable. The roads have a good amount of traffic and generally aren't designed for walking.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Koh Samui or Kamakura to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Koh Samui than Kamakura because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Samui, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamakura.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Samui 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 Samui.

One day in Koh Samui or Kamakura?

The beautiful resort island of Koh Samui offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. 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 Samui or Kamakura?

Koh Samui is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. 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 Samui or Kamakura?

Koh Samui is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Samui, 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 quaint 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 Samui or Kamakura?

Koh Samui is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Samui has to offer. This resort 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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to 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 Samui and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Samui would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samui 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 Samui.

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Kamakura?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui 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 Samui or Kamakura?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Kamakura in the Summer?

Both Kamakura and Koh Samui during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.

In the summer, Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Kamakura. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samui in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Kamakura averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samui. Koh Samui usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Kamakura. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Kamakura in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Kamakura. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Also, many travelers come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Koh Samui is generally a little warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (75°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Also, October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Kamakura in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Kamakura. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Kamakura in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Koh Samui is much warmer than Kamakura in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Kamakura fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Koh Samui usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Kamakura. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Kamakura in the Spring?

Both Kamakura and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Kamakura for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Koh Samui is much warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samui in April average around 24°C (76°F), and Kamakura averages at about 14°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. In April, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Koh Samui