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

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Vang Vieng?

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 Vang Vieng. 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 Vang Vieng?

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.

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.

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

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 Vang Vieng Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Vang Vieng?

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 Vang Vieng in the Summer?

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

Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Vang Vieng. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Koh Tarutao is a little warmer than Vang Vieng in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Vang Vieng in the Autumn?

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

Also, November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. May and October in Koh Tarutao is the rainy season. Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in October than Vang Vieng. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Koh Tarutao is a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Tarutao in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Vang Vieng averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Vang Vieng in the Winter?

Both Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Koh Tarutao usually receives less rain than Vang Vieng. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In January, Koh Tarutao is generally a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (80°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Vang Vieng in the Spring?

Both Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng year-round.

November to April is the dry season in Koh Tarutao. May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao. Vang Vieng 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 less rain in April than Vang Vieng. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Koh Tarutao is a little warmer than Vang Vieng in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Typical Weather for Vang Vieng and Koh Tarutao