A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Tarutao vs. Sandakan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Sandakan?

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 Sandakan. 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.

Where Should I go: Koh Tarutao or Sandakan?

Koh Tarutao

While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.

Sandakan

Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Tarutao and Sandakan, we can see that Koh Tarutao is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sandakan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sandakan 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 Sandakan.

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 Sandakan Expensive?.

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Sandakan in the Summer?

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

It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in July than Sandakan. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Sandakan in the Autumn?

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

The dry season in Koh Tarutao is November to April. The rainy season in Koh Tarutao is May and October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. In October, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Sandakan. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Sandakan in the Winter?

Both Sandakan and Koh Tarutao during the winter 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 Sandakan year-round.

Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Koh Tarutao usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Tarutao in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Sandakan averages at about 26°C (80°F).

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Sandakan in the Spring?

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

November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. Also, May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Sandakan. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In April, Koh Tarutao is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 29°C (85°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Typical Weather for Sandakan and Koh Tarutao