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

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Paihia?

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

Paihia

Paihia is a fun-filled, beautiful, and relaxing coastal town. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Koh Tarutao and Paihia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Tarutao or Paihia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Paihia. Although Koh Tarutao and Paihia are both popular with visitors, Paihia has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Paihia is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping, while Koh Tarutao is known for its resorts and impressive beauty. Paihia is more touristy than Koh Tarutao and is known for its warm year round climate, impressive beaches, and world class snorkeling and scuba diving. It is also home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Koh Tarutao is popular for its secluded beauty and undiscovered paradise setting.

How is Koh Tarutao different from Paihia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paihia 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 Paihia. There are some interesting cultural sights in the area like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the Museum of Waitangi.

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 Paihia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Paihia has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local seafood, regional produce, and fresh ingredients make dining in the area a rewarding experience. You'll find fine dining restaurants, pizzerias, and local cafes to choose from.

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 Paihia Better for Nightlife?

Paihia is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Paihia. As a holiday spot, there are a number of clubs and bars that cater to tourists in the area.

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 Paihia Better for Resorts?

Koh Tarutao is not a good area for its luxury resorts. However, Paihia 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.

Paihia is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Tarutao or Paihia Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paihia is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Koh Tarutao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Paihia. There are scuba diving and snorkel shops available around town where you can organize trips and excursions to experience the undersea world.

Koh Tarutao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Tarutao or Paihia Better for Beaches?

Koh Tarutao and Paihia both offer terrific beaches.

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.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Paihia. There are stunning beaches both in Paihia and throughout the Bay of Islands. Paihia Beach is in town. It's small but nice and makes a great picnic spot. For a more secluded spot head to Matauri Bay Beach or Takou Bay.

Is Koh Tarutao or Paihia Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Koh Tarutao and Paihia, and they are excellent.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Koh Tarutao. There are hiking trails through mangrove coves, inland through the dramatic vegetation, and up cliffs to impressive viewpoints.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Paihia. The Bay of Islands is filled with coastal walks and peaceful hikes. This is a great way to soak up the area's atmosphere and take in some spectacular views.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Tarutao or Paihia?

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

Paihia has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of retail stores around town where you can pick up clothes or enjoy some souvenir shopping.

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 Paihia Better for Families?

Paihia is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Koh Tarutao is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Paihia is very family-friendly. Beaches, dolphin spotting, ice cream, and chocolate factories make the Bay of Islands the perfect place for a family vacation. There are amazing walking trails like the Manginangina Kauri Walk and opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. There are also adventure spots and great beaches.

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 Paihia Better for Couples?

Paihia is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Koh Tarutao is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Paihia is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. You can enjoy sunset boat cruises, sip wine with a waterfront view, or walk through pristine natural areas. For thrill seekers there are adrenaline filled activities like parasailing or scuba diving.

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.

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

Paihia 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 Paihia. There are a handful of hostels around town as well as many great activities for backpackers like scuba diving or parasailing.

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 Paihia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Paihia 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.

Paihia has some public transit options. There are ferries and some intercity buses through the Bay of Islands.

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 Paihia a more walkable city?

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

Paihia is a somewhat walkable coastal town. It's possible to explore parts of the town on foot.

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 Paihia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Paihia or Koh Tarutao?

How long in Koh Tarutao or Paihia?

In either Koh Tarutao or Paihia, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Paihia than Koh Tarutao because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Koh Tarutao, and 3-5 days is enough time in Paihia.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Paihia 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 Paihia.

One day in Koh Tarutao or Paihia?

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Koh Tarutao. 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.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the beautiful coastal town of Paihia. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the beaches. 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 Paihia?

Koh Tarutao is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun-filled destination of Paihia. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Koh Tarutao or Paihia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Tarutao. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the fun-filled coastal town of Paihia. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

A week in Koh Tarutao or Paihia?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the remote destination of Koh Tarutao. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Paihia. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the beaches. 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 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Tarutao and Paihia, we can see that Koh Tarutao is more expensive. And not only is Paihia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Tarutao is in Asia and Paihia is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Paihia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Paihia 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 Paihia.

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 Paihia Expensive?.