A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Tarutao vs. Nha Trang for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang?

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 Nha Trang. 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 undiscovered, secluded, and remote island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches and hiking.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a high energy, coastal, and resort-filled city. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Koh Tarutao and Nha Trang: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nha Trang. Although Koh Tarutao and Nha Trang are both popular with visitors, Nha Trang has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nha Trang is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping, while Koh Tarutao is known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Nha Trang is more touristy than Koh Tarutao and is known for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. It is also home to Long Son Pagoda. Koh Tarutao is popular for its secluded beauty and undiscovered paradise setting.

How is Koh Tarutao different from Nha Trang?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife in the area, there are also several cultural sights worth visiting. Ponagar Tower, Long Son Pagoda, and XQ Historical Village are all interesting to visit. If you're looking for a thrill, also nearby is Vinpearl Land.

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 Nha Trang? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nha Trang is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Nha Trang is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood is the most common option in many restaurants. You'll find local curries and spring rolls on many menus. Fish sauce is often served with dishes and many recipes have a sweet flavor. If you need a break from Vietnamese food, there are also restaurants that serve pizza, burgers, and other common international dishes.

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 Nha Trang Better for Nightlife?

Nha Trang is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for nightlife.

The nightlife in Nha Trang is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The nightlife scene is varied and caters to all types of travelers. There are glamorous rooftop bars and lounges, beachside parties, and booze cruises that cater to the backpacker crowd. The city is big enough to have options for everyone.

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 Nha Trang Better for Resorts?

Nha Trang is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its resorts.

Nha Trang has a few great resort options. There's a mix of budget guesthouses and hostels, luxury beachfront resorts, and everything in between.

While Koh Tarutao is not known as a resort destination, there are some nice places to stay. 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.

Is Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nha Trang is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Koh Tarutao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Nha Trang. Snorkeling is a bit tricky here, because you need to visit during the right season and you'll need to hop on a tour to get to the best spots. If you're lucky you'll have good visibility and see some interesting marine life.

Koh Tarutao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang Better for Beaches?

Koh Tarutao is very popular for the beache. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

Koh Tarutao offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Nha Trang is a good option for a beach vacation. The accessible beaches are very developed and filled with vacationers who are looking for fun activities. The sands are white and soft and the water is comfortable and fun to splash around in.

Is Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang Better for Hiking?

Koh Tarutao is a great island for hiking. However, Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Koh Tarutao for the hiking trails. There are hiking trails through mangrove coves, inland through the dramatic vegetation, and up cliffs to impressive viewpoints.

Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang?

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

Nha Trang has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are some local street markets that are fun to explore. There are also the typical shops and supermarkets that sell local produce, souvenirs, and any other essentials that you may have forgotten.

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 Nha Trang Better for Families?

Nha Trang is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Koh Tarutao is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nha Trang. While it is known among the backpacker crowds for its party scene, there are also great beaches and many activities for families. Vinpearl Land is an amusement park in the area that has rides and shows. There's also Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda, which are both interesting to visit. The beaches also make a great playground for kids who enjoy building sand castles and playing in the shallow water.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Koh Tarutao. 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.

Is Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang Better for Couples?

Koh Tarutao and Nha Trang both excellent destinations for a couple.

Koh Tarutao makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Nha Trang frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are several romantic hotels near the beach as well as some interesting cultural activities and beautiful beaches with water activities.

Is Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nha Trang is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Koh Tarutao is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Nha Trang. Backpackers looking for a party head to the streets around Biệt Thự Street. There are many cheap hostels and guesthouses in the area, and you won't be far from the area's best nightlife.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

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

Nha Trang 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.

Nha Trang has some public transit options. There are six city bus routes. There are also many taxis and motorbike taxes available for reasonable rates.

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 Nha Trang a more walkable city?

Nha Trang is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Nha Trang is a very walkable destination. The city is compact enough that you can explore many parts on foot. Most of the attractions are near the intersection of Tran Phu and Biet Thu.

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 Nha Trang Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nha Trang or Koh Tarutao?

How long in Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Tarutao and Nha Trang. In our opinion, Nha Trang has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Nha Trang than Koh Tarutao. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang.

One day in Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang?

You'll find around the island of Koh Tarutao. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Nha Trang. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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.

A weekend in Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang?

You'll find around the beautiful destination of Koh Tarutao. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Nha Trang. 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 Nha Trang?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the remote island of Koh Tarutao. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The vibrant city of Nha Trang offers shopping and museums. 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 Nha Trang?

Koh Tarutao is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nha Trang. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi.

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

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 Nha Trang Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Nha Trang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round. Nha Trang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang. Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Nha Trang. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Nha Trang receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, Koh Tarutao is generally around the same temperature as Nha Trang. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (81°F), and Nha Trang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Nha Trang. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nha Trang throughout the year.

Also, November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. May and October in Koh Tarutao is the rainy season. September to December in Nha Trang is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Nha Trang. Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in October than Nha Trang. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Nha Trang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Nha Trang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Nha Trang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang in the Winter?

Both Nha Trang and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Nha Trang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Nha Trang is January to August. In January, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Nha Trang. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nha Trang receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Koh Tarutao is a little warmer than Nha Trang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Tarutao in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Nha Trang averages at about 24°C (75°F).

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Nha Trang in the Spring?

Both Nha Trang and Koh Tarutao during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nha Trang year-round.

November to April is the dry season in Koh Tarutao. May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tarutao. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in April than Nha Trang. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Nha Trang receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, Koh Tarutao is generally a little warmer than Nha Trang. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 29°C (85°F), and Nha Trang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Nha Trang and Koh Tarutao