A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koyasan vs. Boracay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koyasan or Boracay?

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 Koyasan and Boracay. 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: Koyasan or Boracay?

Koyasan

Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.

Boracay

A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Koyasan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koyasan is $78, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Koyasan and Boracay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koyasan $39
    Boracay $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koyasan $78
    Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Koyasan and Boracay

Looking for a hotel in Koyasan or Boracay? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Koyasan


Hotels in Boracay


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Koyasan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koyasan $33
    Boracay $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:

  • Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $26
  • Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
  • Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $69
  • Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
  • Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
  • Caticlan: Ferry Boat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $41
  • Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $54
  • Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
  • PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $59
  • Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81

Is it cheaper to fly into Koyasan or Boracay?

Prices for flights to both Boracay and Koyasan change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Koyasan $19
    Boracay $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koyasan $13
    Boracay $15

Tours and Activities in Boracay

Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Crystal Kayak Photo-op Experience: $6.31
  • Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.02
  • Flying Donut Water Tubing Experience: $14
  • Boracay UFO Adventure: $16
  • Sunset Cruise with Water Activities: $16
  • Boracay Sunset Cruise: $16
  • Island and Beach-Hopping Boat Tour with Snorkeling: $20
  • Boracay Island Rhythm Sunset Cruise: $21
  • Stand-up Paddleboard Experience: $22
  • Helmet Diving Experience with Photos and Videos: $22
  • All-Terrain Vehicle or Buggy Car Experience: $23
  • Boracay Optional Tours and Packages: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koyasan $4.89
    Boracay $16


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

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