A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Tarutao vs. Ise for Beaches, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Ise?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Ise. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Koh Tarutao

Koh Tarutao is a beautiful, undiscovered, and secluded island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches and hiking.

Ise

Ise is a authentic, off-the-beaten-path, and overlooked city. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Koh Tarutao and Ise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Tarutao or Ise?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ise. Although Koh Tarutao and Ise are both popular with visitors, Ise has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ise is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Koh Tarutao is known for its resorts, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Ise is more touristy than Koh Tarutao and is popular for its important Shinto shrines and its coastal setting. It is also home to the Ise Jingu shrine complex. Koh Tarutao is popular for its secluded beauty and undiscovered paradise setting.

How is Koh Tarutao different from Ise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Tarutao or Ise?

Ise is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Ise. While this is an often overlooked part of Japan for tourists, those who venture here will enjoy strolling through the forest and visiting the shrine complex of Ise Jingu.

Koh Tarutao offers a few options for museum-goers. This island is all about remote natural settings that will take your breath away, but you won't find anything in the form of temples or museums.

Is the Food Better in Koh Tarutao or Ise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ise is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Ise has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find some of Japan's best seafood around town and there are many local delicacies. Head to the downtown area around Iseshi Station to find a high concentration of places. One local specialty is the Japanese spiny lobster (also known as the Ise lobster).

Koh Tarutao offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are three restaurants on the island that have limited hours so, if possible, it's best to arrive with some snacks. The food is simple and can get repetitive if you eat the same meals several days in a row.

Is Koh Tarutao or Ise Better for Nightlife?

Ise is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ise. Most visitors don't stay long enough to take in the nightlife, which is limited.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Koh Tarutao. There's a good chance you'll have this island almost completely to yourself. The few restaurants on the island close early and you'll likely head to bed early after taking in the stunning night sky.

Is Koh Tarutao or Ise Better for Resorts?

Koh Tarutao is not so good for its resorts. However, Ise is not a resort destination.

There isn't the widest selection of resorts in Koh Tarutao, but you'll find a few options to choose from. You won't find luxury resorts (or any resorts) on the island. What you will find is simple bungalows, or tents available for rent at the ranger stations.

Ise is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Tarutao or Ise Better for Beaches?

Koh Tarutao is a must-visit destination for the beache. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

Koh Tarutao is considered to be a world-class beach destination. A true island paradise, you'll find isolated beaches here that are so remote that you'll likely have them to yourself for large parts of the day.

Ise offers a nice beach destination. There are several nice and sandy beaches in the area that make for a nice break from the sightseeing.

Is Koh Tarutao or Ise Better for Hiking?

Koh Tarutao is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Ise is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Koh Tarutao. There are hiking trails through mangrove coves, inland through the dramatic vegetation, and up cliffs to impressive viewpoints.

Ise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Tarutao or Ise?

Ise is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for shopping.

Ise has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a shopping street in town with many of the shops housed in traditional buildings, giving the area a nice character.

Koh Tarutao has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a small shop at the visitor center where you can pick up simple drinks and snacks.

Is Koh Tarutao or Ise Better for Families?

Both Koh Tarutao and Ise are good family-friendly destinations.

Koh Tarutao is a family-friendly island. For families who want seclusion, this beautiful island is the place to spend a night or two. There are great beaches, interesting hikes, and kayaks available to visitors.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ise. The Ise Jingu Shrine complex is large and sprawling, and has the feel of a park. The kids will likely find visiting all of the temples tedious, but the forest is peaceful and the setting is beautiful.

Is Koh Tarutao or Ise Better for Couples?

Koh Tarutao is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Koh Tarutao frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For a truly remote experience, couples will enjoy this often overlooked island. There are hikes and isolated beaches that offer romance in its most simple form.

Ise is a good island for couples to visit. This is an off-the-beaten path destination that is far more than a shrine - it's a complex of shrines. It's spread out over a large space and filled with forest and peaceful walks that couples will enjoy.

Is Koh Tarutao or Ise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Tarutao and Ise are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Koh Tarutao. Most backpackers overlook this beautiful island for the more party-oriented destinations of Thailand, but those who spend a night or two here will be rewarded with a truly unique and authentic experience.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ise. It's off the radar for many backpackers, but those that make it here will find a couple of hostels and affordable accommodation options.

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

Ise is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Ise has some public transit options. The CAN Bus is a tourist bus that connects the train stations to the main attractions and runs every half hour.

Public transit is generally limited in Koh Tarutao. There are shuttle taxis that travel around the island at fixed times. You can also rent a mountain bike at the ranger stations.

Is Koh Tarutao or Ise a more walkable city?

Ise is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Ise is a somewhat walkable city. There are walking paths through the complex that connect the shrines, but some of the distances can be significant.

Koh Tarutao is generally not very walkable. The island is quite large and difficult to explore on foot alone.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Tarutao Worth Visiting? and Is Ise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ise or Koh Tarutao?

How long in Koh Tarutao or Ise?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Tarutao and Ise. In our opinion, Ise has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ise than Koh Tarutao. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Koh Tarutao, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ise than Koh Tarutao 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 Ise.

One day in Koh Tarutao or Ise?

With around the secluded destination of Koh Tarutao, there's plenty to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

A weekend in Koh Tarutao or Ise?

Many people visit Koh Tarutao for a weekend. With around the undiscovered island of Koh Tarutao, there's plenty to do. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Ise. This 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.

Five days in Koh Tarutao or Ise?

The destination of Koh Tarutao offers . It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. 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 overlooked city of Ise offers museums and food. 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.

A week in Koh Tarutao or Ise?

Koh Tarutao, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

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

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

When comparing the travel costs between Koh Tarutao and Ise, we can see that Koh Tarutao is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Ise?

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

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Ise in the Summer?

Both Ise and Koh Tarutao during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Ise because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Koh Tarutao is generally around the same temperature as Ise. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (81°F), and Ise fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Ise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tarutao. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in July than Ise. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Ise receives 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Ise in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Ise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Ise this time of year.

Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Ise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Ise fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Ise receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Ise. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Ise receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. Also, May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Ise in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ise. In the winter, Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Ise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Tarutao in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Ise averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in January than Ise. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ise receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Ise in the Spring?

Both Ise and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Ise in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Koh Tarutao is generally much warmer than Ise. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 29°C (85°F), and Ise fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ise. It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. In April, Koh Tarutao usually receives less rain than Ise. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Ise receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Koh Tarutao is November to April. The rainy season in Koh Tarutao is May and October.

Typical Weather for Ise and Koh Tarutao